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OB1
84 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Apr 2006 : 16:09:20
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To all on Bataba, I ask this because it would be interesting to see what the opinions are. Given the recent 'attempt'and the free fall of the consequences, I think a dabate on the above is needed. I personally HATE coups, BUT: Under the circustances the only way out of tyranny and evil is by force. The AU have sent all the wrong signals, that they do not care about democracy and rule of law in Gambia. The international community (West) are the first to kick their leaders out of office for incompetance and corruption. But when we are ready to do the same they tell us to do it through the ballot....what do you do when there is no ballot?
Peace.
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salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2006 : 16:17:11
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| The majority of people in this forum including myself will never condone a coup because the consequences can be terrible Some times. |
Edited by salimina |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 08:33:52
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OB1
84 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 16:12:57
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| kobo, my sentiments exatcly! I agree 100%. We all 'ideally' want democracy to prevail in Gambia. We all would love for power to change hands ONLY through the ballot. We all want peace, we want opportunity and we all want security for all. But under Jammeh there is only security for the few, (him, his wife and child), everyone else is inconsequential. Jammeh hijacked his way into power, and he is bent on staying there forever (he has said it). He will only go at gunpoint (he said that too). And the Opposition will never win in Gambia—he will not allow it (he has also said this). So now that we have heard all these things form Jammeh, we are only fooling ourselves if we thing that the ballot will get him out. He must be ousted by the gun, for the good of all. The US fought oppression and won their independence, the French also likewise, even the Brits rebelled against the tyranny of monarchs. Who are we to sit and ponder a utopian existence, and proclaim, ‘that the era of coups are over’, and just because a president or the AU say it is? Jammeh created the conditions for rebellion, by propagating suppressive, destructive, and primitive methods of governance for 14 years. Enough is enough! We must take our liberty and move on or be given death and stagnation! |
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salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 16:29:21
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Boys i can see your frustrations.But at this very moment coup is not the solution.We got a small and rigid society.My fear is all plans will disclose before they can even attempt.I think the best way will be some sort of uprising whereby the majority of the populace will demonstrate contineously till he goes( even that as Obi has mentioned he will resists).In that way he will not kill everybody.
Getting jammeh out by the barrel of the gun at this moment will be deadly.There are mechanisms in place to attack or counter attack any form of coup.No joke it will be bloodly.The best bet will be if the coupists got outside help. |
Edited by salimina |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 18:34:00
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However deadly the operation is don't count out justification to weed him out at all cost as he is a menace and public enemy No.1. He accomplish occupying the seat of power through barrel of the gun and rule by barrel of the gun. As he is playing a dangerous game of life and death, imposing his will on everybody; eventually he will loose the battle. We have seen Mobutu of Zaire, Idi Amin of Uganda, General Musa Traore of Mali, to name a few.
On the other side of the especially advanced countries, their democracies have provisions for the indictment of Head of States, Presidents' to make them accountable. No one is above the law and will of the people. Jammeh never trust any good soldier and uses all of them until he feel uncomfortable with you and deal with you. If I was within the ranks would definitely laeve up to expectation. No retreat no surrender. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 18:39:07
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Kobo
The Gambian constitution has provision for impeachment of the president unless it has been changed. The National Assembly members can do this. The question is can they or will they. They have refused calls by the opposition to use this legal provision on many occasions. No one is listening. I believe Gambians deserve yaya and yaya deserves Gambia. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 19:16:32
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| Kondoromg its not encouraging "wait and see attitude" but to critically comment on the topic in question. Answers for jstification for a coup to depose Jammeh are easily found if related to events of July 22nd, when Jammeh and co. announced their gallantry to toppled a democratically elected. At that time the level of corruption was even lower than present crises, abuse of human rights and astrocities committed during his term. If the clock is turn around and back to square, justification for a regime change of Jammeh is fair and valid ubder the circumstances. Its just a reflection of seeing your own image through the mirror Dr Junkung Yaya A.J.J Jammeh. Thanks and good luck guys and dolls. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 19:31:16
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| You are right. But gambians are not ready to bell the cat. But we can atlest demonstrate in the street to bring our plight to the fore. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 20:11:51
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| Demontration is a good idea but any attempt to rally mass support against Jammeh would be mercilessly dealt with. These are part of the problems. However APRC can easily mobilise over 10,000 man march to dominate the media, use government resources (from both central and local), money, fuel and vehicles without bothering or feeling any guilt of sqaundering and wasting our funds on their foolish political agenda. If the checks and balances don't work, we are being led to destruction of the nation and any genuine gambian should reflect on that. Am told there are no funds in our coffers especially the central bank and treasury. |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 22:06:50
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It would be appropriate to re-culled Halifa's comments on this topic addressed to parliament as reported by Observer newspaper few days aftermarth of the foiled coup attempted. However having seen justification for why coups exist? Its very useful to be wise to opt for diplomatic means rather than bloody means in dealing with such situation through these suggestion by Halifa; an intellectual, prominent politician and man with vision for our motherland.
COMMENTS BY HALIFA:-
"According to him, a violent overthrow of a government has no place in a democratic and constitutional country - whether the government is functioning economically or not. He said they in the opposition condemn the March 21 abortive coup. "
<END OF REPORT>
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2006 : 02:51:51
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The Gambia as it stands today , there is no justification for a military takeover, peaceful or violent.
We have democratic institutions (although weak) in place that could be strenghtened to bring about meaningful progressive change politically and economically.To even contemplate a military coup in the Gambia is a betrayal of our cause.Gambians everywhere needs to come together and condemn with one voice any attempt to forcefully takeover the government, like Halifa Sallah did in the National Assembly.
We should learn from history. There is abundant literature on military coups in Africa and around the world.Political scientists generally recognize that military coups are staged for military reasons , and many times driven by the personal ambitions of a few soldiers.
The military cannot and should not liberate us from our own government.We can do it on our own , through the ballot box or if necessary by popular uprising (peacefully).
Since General Eyadema of Togo in 1968 one country after another in Africa have been toppled by disgruntled soldiers and the consequences have been consistently devastating (except for the case of Tumani Touray of Mali).
I cannot endorse a military coup in the Gambia. There is no justification for it . |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2006 : 03:42:00
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| Of course Kenyata Jammeh cannot be exempted from this option to topple him from power. There is ample justification to eliminate him by all means as he reigns by terror. Some of our brothers in arms cannot be enslaved for his personal will and they are part of the political game. Please don't rule them out if they are guided by political objectives to elimininate all forms of corrupt practices starting from the top echelons and have a proper and swift rectification program. You want to grant him annesty for his callousness and murders committed for in disguise of weeding out unpatriotic sons of the motherland. He must be brought to justice as soon as possible. You can only achieve that through another clandestine means and counter-intelligence to his authority and manipulative means. This topic deals with aworst case scenario and a proper revolution has alraedy reach its maturity stage in the gambaia. If the masses demonstrate its going to be bloody as they are not armed and can escalate to a civil crises. The debate can still continue further but not all gambians will be convince of using this last resort to tackle and arrest the present political crises and victimisation. |
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