It's true that the time definitely is nigh for nation building and healing, but how do we go about it if the government of the day will not accommodate it (am not saying that is the case, just assuming it is). What then do we do?

There have been a great number of comparisons between the present day government and the Jawara regime, but the one very clear fact is that this present day regime is run by the military. No one needs a psychology degree to understand how the minds of soldiers-turned-government work. They are jumpy, trigger-happy, and very insecure.

One might be surprised why this is the case. The answer is very simple, they got in  by the gun, and if they succeeded in doing so, who says another group of soldiers will not try to in turn overthrow them, after all they can see the ill-gotten wealth amassed by their peers in government.

There is a clear hint of this in Mr Jallow's postings with regards to Korro's death and the general feeling of insecurity that was plaguing Jammeh and his top guys. True or not, it still makes a very chilling and terrifying reading. For Gambians to go to that level of moral decadence is truly appalling.

There is unfortunately a number of examples of these regimes all over our continent. "Soldiers are people too" someone told me the other day, sure they are, but they are people with guns and often that power of the gun overrules their common sense.

I have no personal experience of military governments myself, but the fact remains the same, whether it's in The Gambia, or anywhere else, these regimes will go to any length to stay in power. We have all seen the brutality in Nigeria to name just a few. Please am apologizing in advance if I offend anyone by this statement, it's only my personal view!!

Personally, soldiers should not govern, they are soldiers and so they should remain. There is no justification for it. The situation in The Gambia, might have been really bad under the Jawara regime (personally am too young and too unknowledgeable to say much about this facet of our political history), but the fact remains that things have not changed for any better for The Gambian people, rather one can say without hesitation that the very opposite is the case.

Am sure we've all read the the horror story in the Observer of financial mismanagement of Gambian Bureaux abroad, and also the local councils back home. One then asks oneself, "if these guys justified their coup on the basis of financial mismanagement of The former government, why are these social ills still rampant?"
I think they should stop and take stock of themselves. The only honourable thing to for them to do now is to call for a fair, transparent, general election, for they have failed The Gambia people miserably. They have no excuse, they should just resign.

More schools may have been built, and even a university, and I will be the first to commend them, but no government should try to rule their people by sub-ordination and threats of brutality.

I will like to know if there is any way of recovering the $2 million Mr Jallow talks about as if it's a small change. If there are any of us on this list who are legally versed maybe it's about time we try doing something about recovering these money from everyone involved, from Jammeh to the lowest ranked civil servant.
I do not know if this is possible, for I do not know how or  if there is any international law on these types of pillage.
I do not know, and have never even heard of this Mr Jallow, but I was shocked and horrified at the way the guy talks about $2 million as if it's a couple of pence.
There should be an insurrection to these shameful acts, not by violence but by challenging the government legally.

As we have come this far we should go all the way. Let's start nominating people to meet Jammeh and his government. This is incumbent on us all, cause whether we are born in the West, of Gambian parents as am sure some of us are, or whether we are here for education or have migrated here, the truth remains that The Gambia is our home.

I once again reiterate my apologies in advance, if anyone is offended by this am terribly sorry. I honestly do not tend it to be so. It's only my humble personal opinion.

Peace to us all.
 

 

Hello Laye,

Thank you once more for your constructive proposals in trying to move our (
Gambian people)agenda forward.  I think the proposals are at the core of
what we as a nation need in order to make any meaningful progress in our
national development in the next century.  I do not think these proposals
are partisan.  They are basic human rights which are necessary for any
nation to optimize its developmental goals, whatever those may be.  I am
sure most well meaning Gambians will see these proposals as corner stones
for the way forward.

I therefore plead with all of you my compatriots to approach these proposals
with an open mind, and give them your support in all its forms in order to
help bring about the stated goals in our country.

However, one question remains and that is; how do we approach the
reconciliation process? Here are a few suggestions.

(1)     We will need a coordinating committee which,    should include
members from all factions       (opposition, government supporters and those
who     are neutral) probably to be headed by Dr. Saine.

(2)     We need to galvanize as broad a spectrum as     possible of our
people both abroad and at home.         This will give the necessary
critical mass to        push the reforms we are advocating for in The
Gambia.

(3)     We need to assure the present government of our         good
intentions and that there are no hidden         agenda for us.  This should
be easy because the     committee that will be dealing with the
government      will include supporters of the  government.  We also should
treat all the parties   to the dialogue befitting their status.

Thanks Laye.

Bakary J Sonko.

-----Original Message-----
From: Abdoulaye Saine [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 1999 4:10 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: It is Time to Heal Self and Nation

G-L Community:

I have been greatly enriched by my association with the Bantaba and over
the year that I have been a member, I have been impressed by the
diversity of views expressed. Yet, I am also saddened by the pain that
seem to be at the core of our constant criticisms against Jammeh and
Jawara.  Clearly, the coup in 1994 and its aftermath have had and
continue to have a traumatizing effect on all Gambians.  The criticisms
leveled against Jammeh and his Government and for that matter Jawara's
by well meaning people, reflect the hurt and trauma I spoke of earlier.
Both Jawara and Jammeh have made mistakes.  It has been pointed out by
many that Sir Dawda made many mistakes during his thirty year rule. And
needless to say Jammeh has also had his share of mistakes. It is time to
move the debate beyond blame and recrimination and propose concrete
remedies to both the political impasse/stalemate on Gambia-L and in the
country of our birth, Gambia. The reality is Jammeh is President and
Jawara is not.  Both Jammeh and Jawara are not perfect.

And it appears that the overwhelming sentiment on the L and Gambia,
though expressed differently, lead ultimately toward improving the lives
of Gambians.  This ought to be the theme that unifies us as a people.
This unity of purpose does not mean necessarily that we would all agree
on an issue, but it should guide us as we pursue a common vision for
Gambia with other Gambians.

What can we do as a community of Gambians and people interested in
Gambia to influence and shape in a decisive and positive way political
events unfolding in Gambia?  How can we begin to engage President Jammeh
and his Government and influence him in the direction we desire and
toward that vision?  What compromises is Jammeh willing to make? What
concessions must we make?

It seems that the L and the political situation at home are populated by
some individuals who speak at and alienate each other.  We need to get
to the next level, I suggest, by proposing solutions to Gambia's current
political crisis. The criticism leveled against Jawara and Jammeh during
their recent visits to the U.S., have had an effect, admitted by them or
not.

Let us turn to a new page!

>From the discussion over the last year certain key concerns we appear to
share are summarized below. These include:

a)A Gambia where individuals can pursue a livelihood in dignity while
enjoying basic freedoms and to vote in a government of their choice
unrestrained by the state or its authorities;

b)A political atmosphere were fear of retribution is not a constraint to
the expression of one's beliefs, either in print or verbally; and

c)Political participation as a right that all Gambians are entitled.

If my reading of the Bantaba and the crisis at home are accurate, we
must begin to work with President Jammeh, his Government and the Gambian
People to resolve these issues. And as the Presidential and National
Assembly elections are fast approaching, it is imperative that the
political system be opened up.

I propose that at minimum, all political parties and politicians that
were banned shortly before the 1996 elections, be unbanned and let the
Gambian people decide who rules them.

The latter it appears to me and many more on the Bantaba, is a way to
realizing this vision for Gambia and Gambians. To me, this is beyond
partisan politics.  It is life of a people and of future generations.
This could be our challenge to President Jammeh and his government.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Abdoulaye Saine

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