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Galo Sowe
Sweden
116 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Dec 2006 : 10:22:23
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Gambian ex-Presidents get life benefits
afrol News, 13 December - Parliament in The Gambia today closed its legislative chapter by passing a law that provides security, honour and financial guarantees to the past Presidents of the country; which currently only includes the country's first President Dawda Jawara, who was deposed by the current leader in a 1994 coup.
The Gambian Vice President, Ms Isatou Njie-Saidy, tabled the said bill before deputies for approval.
Though their term of office is at the brink of expiring as the country lines up for legislative election on 12 January 2007, the deputies - a majority of who belong to the ruling Alliance for Patriotic, Re-orientation and Construction Party (APRC) - were in a haste to pass the law that makes life easy for former leaders.
Describing it as "fitting and appropriate", MPs argued that the bills should have been brought before them long ago. They defended that the reason why most African Heads of State cling to power is because they are not guaranteed security and freedom after they leave office.
Upon approval, former Presidents who serve The Gambia for at least 10 years will enjoy a host of benefits at the expense of taxpayers until they die. Apart from receiving a monthly minimum salary of US$ 2,000, former Presidents will in addition be provided office, personal security guards, a secretary and three official vehicles to be fuelled by the state.
This amount is far more than the salary of the current President, who is paid little over US$ 1,000.
Each year, former Presidents will also be entitled to a month's leave in and out of the country. Again, the state will bankroll the bill.
Interestingly, the law exempts former leaders guilty of gross violations of human rights, which obviously exempts current President Yahya Jammeh, whose government is becoming unpopular mainly because of its bad human rights record.
Not much has been debated about the law by Gambians, who saw it as a tactic being employed by President Jammeh to cover himself, so that he can enjoy life after he leaves office.
"We expect the rubberstamping parliament to endorse any law that comes before them, but the government should be reminded that some countries exempt their leaders from being tried when they are in power. And what happens after they leave power was totally different," said a Gambian on exile.
The Gambia is one of the poorest countries in the world that currently has 69 percent of its population below poverty line. Therefore, such a law would only further aggravate poverty and sufferings of poor people some of who go to bed with hunger, the exiled Gambian further held.
Earlier in 1995, the military junta led by former Lt. Yahya Jammeh decreed that its members be immunised from prosecution after leaving office. Mr Jammeh later turned his military leadership into a civilian government, elected several times in polls that have been condemned as unfair.
Currently, the only person able to cash in on the new law is ex-President Jawara, who ruled the country from independence in 1965, winning five further elections and held office to Mr Jammeh's 1994 coup. Mr Jawara recently returned from exile to The Gambia and has reconciled with President Jammeh to be able to live peacefully in his country.
By staff writer
© afrol News
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"Soldiers are experts at camouflage but that is on the battle field not the political one, were transparency is the watch word" Kaaniba |
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mbay
Germany
1007 Posts |
Posted - 14 Dec 2006 : 11:43:36
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Enjoy Mr.D K J! .He doesn’t have much to live so let him enjoyed the last days.
He didn’t ruled us properly but one way or the other he was honest & respectable person in his own!
quote:
Originally posted by Galo Sowe
Gambian ex-Presidents get life benefits
afrol News, 13 December - Parliament in The Gambia today closed its legislative chapter by passing a law that provides security, honour and financial guarantees to the past Presidents of the country; which currently only includes the country's first President Dawda Jawara, who was deposed by the current leader in a 1994 coup.
The Gambian Vice President, Ms Isatou Njie-Saidy, tabled the said bill before deputies for approval.
Though their term of office is at the brink of expiring as the country lines up for legislative election on 12 January 2007, the deputies - a majority of who belong to the ruling Alliance for Patriotic, Re-orientation and Construction Party (APRC) - were in a haste to pass the law that makes life easy for former leaders.
Describing it as "fitting and appropriate", MPs argued that the bills should have been brought before them long ago. They defended that the reason why most African Heads of State cling to power is because they are not guaranteed security and freedom after they leave office.
Upon approval, former Presidents who serve The Gambia for at least 10 years will enjoy a host of benefits at the expense of taxpayers until they die. Apart from receiving a monthly minimum salary of US$ 2,000, former Presidents will in addition be provided office, personal security guards, a secretary and three official vehicles to be fuelled by the state.
This amount is far more than the salary of the current President, who is paid little over US$ 1,000.
Each year, former Presidents will also be entitled to a month's leave in and out of the country. Again, the state will bankroll the bill.
Interestingly, the law exempts former leaders guilty of gross violations of human rights, which obviously exempts current President Yahya Jammeh, whose government is becoming unpopular mainly because of its bad human rights record.
Not much has been debated about the law by Gambians, who saw it as a tactic being employed by President Jammeh to cover himself, so that he can enjoy life after he leaves office.
"We expect the rubberstamping parliament to endorse any law that comes before them, but the government should be reminded that some countries exempt their leaders from being tried when they are in power. And what happens after they leave power was totally different," said a Gambian on exile.
The Gambia is one of the poorest countries in the world that currently has 69 percent of its population below poverty line. Therefore, such a law would only further aggravate poverty and sufferings of poor people some of who go to bed with hunger, the exiled Gambian further held.
Earlier in 1995, the military junta led by former Lt. Yahya Jammeh decreed that its members be immunised from prosecution after leaving office. Mr Jammeh later turned his military leadership into a civilian government, elected several times in polls that have been condemned as unfair.
Currently, the only person able to cash in on the new law is ex-President Jawara, who ruled the country from independence in 1965, winning five further elections and held office to Mr Jammeh's 1994 coup. Mr Jawara recently returned from exile to The Gambia and has reconciled with President Jammeh to be able to live peacefully in his country.
By staff writer
© afrol News
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 14 Dec 2006 : 12:18:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Galo Sowe
Gambian ex-Presidents get life benefits
afrol News, 13 December - Parliament in The Gambia today closed its legislative chapter by passing a law that provides security, honour and financial guarantees to the past Presidents of the country; which currently only includes the country's first President Dawda Jawara, who was deposed by the current leader in a 1994 coup.
The Gambian Vice President, Ms Isatou Njie-Saidy, tabled the said bill before deputies for approval.
Though their term of office is at the brink of expiring as the country lines up for legislative election on 12 January 2007, the deputies - a majority of who belong to the ruling Alliance for Patriotic, Re-orientation and Construction Party (APRC) - were in a haste to pass the law that makes life easy for former leaders.
Describing it as "fitting and appropriate", MPs argued that the bills should have been brought before them long ago. They defended that the reason why most African Heads of State cling to power is because they are not guaranteed security and freedom after they leave office.
Upon approval, former Presidents who serve The Gambia for at least 10 years will enjoy a host of benefits at the expense of taxpayers until they die. Apart from receiving a monthly minimum salary of US$ 2,000, former Presidents will in addition be provided office, personal security guards, a secretary and three official vehicles to be fuelled by the state.
This amount is far more than the salary of the current President, who is paid little over US$ 1,000.
Each year, former Presidents will also be entitled to a month's leave in and out of the country. Again, the state will bankroll the bill.
Interestingly, the law exempts former leaders guilty of gross violations of human rights, which obviously exempts current President Yahya Jammeh, whose government is becoming unpopular mainly because of its bad human rights record.
Not much has been debated about the law by Gambians, who saw it as a tactic being employed by President Jammeh to cover himself, so that he can enjoy life after he leaves office.
"We expect the rubberstamping parliament to endorse any law that comes before them, but the government should be reminded that some countries exempt their leaders from being tried when they are in power. And what happens after they leave power was totally different," said a Gambian on exile.
The Gambia is one of the poorest countries in the world that currently has 69 percent of its population below poverty line. Therefore, such a law would only further aggravate poverty and sufferings of poor people some of who go to bed with hunger, the exiled Gambian further held.
Earlier in 1995, the military junta led by former Lt. Yahya Jammeh decreed that its members be immunised from prosecution after leaving office. Mr Jammeh later turned his military leadership into a civilian government, elected several times in polls that have been condemned as unfair.
Currently, the only person able to cash in on the new law is ex-President Jawara, who ruled the country from independence in 1965, winning five further elections and held office to Mr Jammeh's 1994 coup. Mr Jawara recently returned from exile to The Gambia and has reconciled with President Jammeh to be able to live peacefully in his country.
By staff writer
© afrol News
If the report is found to be true then the worse is to come. How can a retired president be living a more comfortable life than wen he was president? Then retired civil servants too need to have more decent pensions.Pathetic!!! |
madiss |
Edited by - MADIBA on 14 Dec 2006 12:19:19 |
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 14 Dec 2006 : 13:56:40
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This amount is far more than the salary of the current President, who is paid little over US$ 1,000.
The above statement is inaccurate. It represents the D26,000 we had known before. However, the statu quo have changed since when Parliament decided to award that amount to Secretaries of State as monthly salary. They then decided to keep that of the President secret. So the President's salary is as of now, unknown to the public. I think it is fairly logical that the president would most likely award himself a salary that is far better than those he appointed. It could $10,000 or even $27,000, who knows? but it is certainly not a little over $1000. That's for sure.
Sometimes i sit down here and say to myself do I have a right to complain when the man is all the time chosen by Gambians to govern the affairs of our nation. Call the elections unfair, rigged whatever, Gambians are complicent in all of it. The conclusion I always come to at the end is that people will always get a government they deserve'. That is why I hardly criticise Jammeh and APRC.
God save the Gambia |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 14 Dec 2006 : 17:53:59
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Why should Gambian civil servants then earn D50.00 a month as pension. There are some who earn D45.00 per month as pension which is less than $2.00 yet we can afford such luxuries. |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 14 Dec 2006 : 21:51:04
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President Yahya Jammeh is the most notorious and cunning copy-cat when it comes to stealing ideas. This idea borrowed from Muhammed Abraham, (Mo Abrahams) who recenly pledge a healthy retirement package for African presidents with best Human Rights and least corrupt records after ten years in power. Jammeh is recognised as one of those who may not qualify for this (The Telegraph, Calcuta, India, 30 October 2006- www.telegraphindia.com ) under the caption "Prize for the Bigman" Now wanting to cheat Gambians in his usual greedy style, he jumped with this scheme. How can one person cheat a whole nation in and even out of power? Gambians need to wake up.
http://www.telegraphindia.com
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Karamba |
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dbaldeh
USA
934 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2006 : 01:24:22
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If they can do it, Why can't it be undone? How can anyone take this seriously as if it is the final verdict in perpetuity? What an insult to a people whose Ex. and current leader have absolutely nothing positive to offer?
It is a laughing matter to even read such legislation being considered in a society where over 69% of the population live in abject poverty. I guess this validate my previous points that when you have a group of empty brain heads? One can twist and turn them any how one desires. This is the classic weapon Jammeh is using against these so called representatives.
"If you don't know what belongs to you, you will never know what belongs to others" Halifa |
Baldeh,
"Be the change you want to see in the world" Ghandi
Visit http://www.gainako.com for your daily news and politics |
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2006 : 01:48:37
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"If you don't know what belongs to you, you will never know what belongs to others" Halifa
[i]WOOOOW! perhaps that is the haviest of all Ayatollah Sallah 'Faatuwaas'. I rather be in a cafeteria than reading that again. |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
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dbaldeh
USA
934 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2006 : 04:34:16
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You will never response to the issues. Perhaps you don't have anything to offer too so you would rather dodge away from the issues just like those MPs did.
No wonder Africa is so backwarded and in such a sorry situation. People like you think God will come down the sky and solve our problems. You are better of hiding than preparing to pay the price of freedom. It is a selfish state of mind. What a human tragedy.
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Baldeh,
"Be the change you want to see in the world" Ghandi
Visit http://www.gainako.com for your daily news and politics |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2006 : 18:07:40
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I suppose another way of looking at these Presidential life benefits. Is that they act as an incentive for fixed terms in office in so far as Presidents will not be so relunctant in leaving office when their time to exit comes around. However such laws can always ammended at a later date depending on the government of the day. Which they most likely will agree with because they too will benefit from this Bill.
Peace
Sister Omega
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Peace
Sister Omega |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2006 : 18:14:05
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This is interesting , but very ridiculous also. The first thing that comes to mind is whether jammeh is planning to step down soon. Or is he simply trying to satisfy Jawara.
This benefit package truly could be a motivation for presidents not to overstay in power , but it is an expensive price to pay by the Gambian tax payers.The argument that the security concerns of presidents prevents them from stepping down is a fallacy in the sense that their refusal to step down coupled with their flagrant abuse of power is what create their security problem in the first place.
It is ridiculous that a bill requiring a payment of 2000 dollars of tax payer's money to an expresident will pass in the national assembly. Why in dollars and not in dalasis ? Since the dalasi continues to fall against the dollar and the ex-presidents' earnings will continue to rise against all Gambians, this by itself puts our presidents in a conflict of interest between personal gain and national gain.In the Gambia the legal tender is the dalasis , therefore is it lawful to issue payments of this nature in foreign currency ?
The president's annual monthly leave should not be funded by the tax payers' money.Since the president is on a salary and gets free living expenses it is a rubbery for the public to foot his indulgent vacation expenses.It will be even worse if they vacation abroad.
The sum of all these is that the Gambian people will lose in both political and economic terms. |
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dbaldeh
USA
934 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2006 : 20:11:22
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Kayjatta, this is not only ridiculous but disgusting too. You know, I have a different opinion on this move. Certainly it raises more questions than answers.
First, we know Jammeh is planning to rule the Gambia for the next 40 years. Second, with the wave he is stealing and accumulating wealth, he certainly would not need $2000 retirement money with that amount of wealth. Then why is this bill essential for him to come into effect?
My suspicion is that Ex. toothless President Jawara has his fingers all over the bill. Jammeh is doing this to protect Dawda Jawara and no one else. How many ex. Presidents do we have or will have in this century? Probably two. One in dire need of Help with his financial situation, and the would be, who will not need anymore tax payers money.
So to me, this smells the same thing like what happened when Jawara was pardoned while leaving out his ex. cabinet. This time again, he gets the benefits but non of his colleagues have access to the same benefits. Why not a decent retirement bill rewarding all hard working retired civil servants now and in the future? The answer is simply a selfish move geared towards a few.
If anybody think am wrong or crazy to make such connections, please give us evidence or reasons to believe otherwise... |
Baldeh,
"Be the change you want to see in the world" Ghandi
Visit http://www.gainako.com for your daily news and politics |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2006 : 20:39:22
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Demba,
Yours is always calculated and fit to dimension. The immediate benefits go to deposed Dawda Jawara. He needs support at a time he lost all, people, money, material, favour etc. etc.
Don't think Jammeh does not want it too. Here is a man already asking for forgiveness from Gambians. Next he is capable of stepping down as a show of being seen great. Soft Gambian hearts will prefer to forgive him than anything you and me will ever imagine. Then he continues to enjoy the loot. The dude is not at ease from his facials. He is under heavy pressure and feels seriously betrayed by those he thought were there for him. Think about this Demba and see if you will not catch sight of the picture I perceive. I may be wrong but we can't rule some of these cunning motives out.
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Karamba |
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dbaldeh
USA
934 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2006 : 05:46:28
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You could be right too Karamba. Nothing from Jammeh now and in the future will ever surprise me. The man wants to be everything to everybody. One day he sounds like 17 century mansas calling for 6 feet deep burial of all his opponents, the next day he is calling for patriotism and responsibility. He changes colors like a Chamilion.
He sure wants the world to believe that he is the bravest man ever to live. He equally wants to leave a legacy of being the one who eliminated corrupt officials. This is the image he tries to portray whenever he betray his most loyal self aclaim defenders like Baba jobe, and many others now in Mile II.
The sad contradiction is that he has no clue how to balance himself between good and evil. For now he is making history as one of the worst dictators of Africa. I certainly will not be surprise if he leaves office abrupty expecting forgiveness. It will be honorable on his side but justice must be seen to take its course without fear or favor. Only time can tell and the choice is his to make. He can Leave with chances for forgiveness, or continue to lead like a monster and suffer the consequences. We hope he makes the right decision. |
Baldeh,
"Be the change you want to see in the world" Ghandi
Visit http://www.gainako.com for your daily news and politics |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2006 : 18:52:51
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As you make your bed, so shall you lie in it.
The golden rule of Ismaila Lo of senegal: DAW NDANKA, DAL NDANKA is a guiding principle not only for motorist but for me.
It means driving at low speed results to less serious accidents. Treating people nicely leads to creating many friendly people which in turn creates a peaceful society.
Like many dictators their only comfort is to be loved by their people. Idi Amin once said that "people must love their leaders.... and that is the job of the minister for the interior....". Few days later the said minister was dead.
Love cannot be forced but should be earned from the poeple not out of fear but through hard work and being responsive to the needs of the political constituencies the leaders serves. |
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dbaldeh
USA
934 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2006 : 22:01:33
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It should be comforting for Jammeh to know that Gambian people are one of the most forgiving in society. As Kon rightly said, forgiveness can easily be given from a free people. Freedom and respect to our right to personal property is fundamental to us.
All we demand is freedom to make decisions and live a life of our choice. Once our people get respect and liberty, then there is plenty reasons to forgive. It is not too late for Jammeh to redeem himself, turn things around, and allow our citizens to use their talent to contribute to National development without fear of revenge or disgrace.
Light is at the end of the tunnel for those who value life, and treat others the same good way they would want to be treated. The pressure must continue until we yield what we aspire for our people. Freedom from oppression... |
Baldeh,
"Be the change you want to see in the world" Ghandi
Visit http://www.gainako.com for your daily news and politics |
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