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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
 Posted - 15 Nov 2013 : 12:46:44
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PRESIDENT JAMMEH AND HIS FOREIGN POLICY
Foroyaa Editorial: Published on Thursday, 14 November 2013
Foroyaa has listened very carefully to President Jammeh’s interview with the New African Magazine to know what his new foreign policy directions are after his recent claims of smear campaign against his government Apparently, there is no shift of emphasis as he tries to counter the reports on the record on governance in the Gambia by the media in Europe and state institutions like The Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK and the State Department of the US, by attributing the criticism to colonial machinations. The president spoke about colonial injustices and double standards. He claimed that the Western Governments do not criticise governments whose troops carry out summary executions but would accuse him as a dictator. He indicated that there are no term limits in many European countries and there are monarchies.
He declared that his government would leave any organisation of a neo colonial nature. He envisaged that China, the BRICS AND Asia would soon serve as a check to the West. Gambia is however an ally of Taiwan. Is this a signal of a future shift in foreign policy? We will wait and see. Apparently, the Commonwealth is the only organisation that he is turning his back on. The ICC does not appear to be in the pipeline.
In our view, the language does not suit a modern approach to governance. In short, his government has equal rights as the UK under the Commonwealth and has as much right to point out any human rights abuses that is conducted by British officials. Foroyaa would like to inform the people that in today’s world no government is immune to criticism. African leaders and governments are not isolated for special treatment. All governments are under scrutiny. This world is no longer a world of states. It is a world of the people. Hence people are safer if powerful governments are put under scrutiny and all their abuses exposed so that they could govern in a just way. If African leaders believe that the Western countries are also violating human rights they should prepare dossiers and present them in a coherent manner before the court of world public opinion. However, they should also acknowledge their wrong doings and strive to become an example to the people they accuse of double standards. The US has a term limit of four years and Nigeria also has a term limit of four years.
This confirms that they are no monarchies and would not hand over power to their sons and daughters. This is standard of best practice for governance in Republics. Nigeria would have been more unstable if it did not have such a power sharing mechanism. If other countries have no term limit or have monarchies they should not be emulated and should not be identified as models for emulation.
Leaders would have more moral authority to criticise others if they adhere to the standards of best practice. Hence the best way African leaders could defend their integrity is to live as servants of their people who protect their liberty and dignity and promote their prosperity.
Source: Foroyaa
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 15 Nov 2013 : 16:00:15
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1. WAS THE VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA A STATE VISIT?
Foroyaa Editorial: Published on Thursday, 14 November 2013
Foroyaa readers saw an elaborate advertisement from the Nigerian High Commission indicating that the Gambian Head of State would be hosting the Nigerian Head of state and have been complaining since they have not seen a word in the papers explaining the purpose of the visit and the outcome.
The Managing Editor of this paper had thought that since the advertisement came from the High Commission and was published in the spirit of promoting African integration, the paper would have access to cover all the activities and inform our readers accordingly.
This paper however wishes to apologize to our readership that despite the unconventional advertisement which depart from Foroyaa’s policy of not publishing posters that do not tell stories to avoid building personality cults, our reporters could not have access to the venues graced by the two heads of state and have not received any copy of any communiqué issued by the two heads of state. We had assumed that the issue about Gambia’s withdrawal from the Commonwealth would have featured prominently in the discussion and communiqué.
The visit has passed off with little information divulged to the public. We hope the Nigerian High Commission would not be offended if we fail to publish such advertisement in the future to avoid wetting the appetite of our readers only to come up with empty hands. The public is still asking: What was the visit for and what has it achieved? We are still searching for answers.
Source: Foroyaa
2. Related Bantaba Gambian politics topics;
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Edited by - kobo on 15 Nov 2013 16:14:49 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 15 Nov 2013 : 20:38:24
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Gambia Breaks Diplomatic Relations With Taiwan
Foroyaa Burning Issues: Published on Friday, 15 November 2013
A Press release from the state house in Banjul read over the state owned Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) informs the general public that the Gambia has disengaged diplomatic ties with the Republic of China on Taiwan with immediate effect. According to the release, the Gambia has developed diplomatic relations with Taiwan for the last 18 years but said despite this good relations, the country has severed this relation in the national interest. However, the release went on to say that despite the severing of relations with Taiwan, friendship between the two countries will continue. No specific reason has been advanced for the severing of ties with the Asian country.
In another development, a release from the British High Commission informs that following the Gambia’s withdrawal from the Commonwealth, the British Consulate in Banjul will now be called the British Embassy.
Source: Foroyaa |
Edited by - kobo on 16 Nov 2013 09:20:07 |
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