 |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Kitabul Arerr
Gambia
645 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Sep 2009 : 20:02:50
|
Lt. Colonel Samsudeen Sarr (Rtd.), blasts so-called "cyber warriors", who cast doubt on the true "identity" on the author of the book: Coup-d’e-tat by The Gambia National Army, to "never judge a book by its cover".
But, could a book then, be judged by it's Title?!?!?!................................................lol!
Quote: "......It was more like my autobiography with the central theme derived from what was more pivotal in my life, i.e., my military career in which the coup in 1994 climaxed the drama.
I wrote about my family life, how my parents especially my mother tried to influence my spiritual thoughts, my concept about religion, god plus my rebellious tendencies as a youth, my student life both in The Gambia and in the USA, my opinion about the political evolution of The Gambia, how and why I joined the army after finishing my studies in the USA in 1985, the difficulties I encountered in my love life and so many things including of course, my current life in the USA with my beautiful wife and wonderful children. I was in New York City when the World Trade Center was attacked on September 11, 2001, an experience I also shared in the book with my opinion on how I see the event and its perpetrator Bin Laden. So you see, this was not just about President Jammeh and his government or his activities but also, about a lot more. Please heed the wisdom in the maxim that warns us about never judging a book by its cover........"
http://www.thegambiaecho.com/Homepage/tabid/36/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1632/Default.aspx
|
The New Gambia - Stronger Together! |
Edited by - Kitabul Arerr on 07 Sep 2009 20:13:50 |
|
|
kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 08 Sep 2009 : 07:26:11
|
I have read Samudeen Sarr's paper, in his typical incoherent rambling, on The Gambia Echo last night. It is not even worth a response, because he did not say or add anything to his consistent plea (cry) for mercy from Jammeh and the Gambia National Army (GNA). I maintain that it is his right to kneel before Jammeh and beg for his mercy, but he (Samsudeen Sarr) must do so independently and courageously, instead of hiding behind the six journalists. That is hypocritical and cowardly...
Samsudeen even wants to revise his book and literally "eat back" all the unkind words he had said about Jammeh and his government just to appease him. Isn't that laughable? |
 |
|
|
shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 08 Sep 2009 : 18:34:10
|
There is a disturbing trend that is seemingly becoming entrenched within the diaspora Gambian community. If any subject or argument is not based on bashing Jammeh and his goverment it becomes the opinion of a traitor and an appeaser who deserved the utmost condemnation and damnation from all and sundry. This vent of outrage usually is from individuals who claim to be pious democrats who associate themselves with freedom of expression and of speech but are virtually intolerant of any divergent view that somehow stray from their sanctified creed that everything about Jammeh and his government is evil personified. So consumed by their bias and judgemental display of contempt is their approach to all things Jammeh, the Gambia government and opinions sympathetic to or are generally reasonable to them, that their basic attempt at reasoning in this context is generally highjacked by an irrationally confident belief that they have access to the highest truth in this respect. The recent ostracisation of Lt. Colonel Sam Sarr for his opinions on the internet fora(newspapers and bantabas) fits a perfect depiction of this scenario.
What this exposed is perhaps, the diaspora Gambian has assimilated into or laid the basis for an alternative culture distinct from what obtained in the Gambia and what they grew up from and rejecting it downright. An act of sabary is not exactly a new phrase conceived by Lt Colonel Sarr' for his lexicon. It is an act of mercy that is well entrenched within and had a place in Gambian culture. Sarr came from this culture and it is absolutely normal to recommend sabary for any grievances irrespective of who is the sinner and who was wronged. The call for justice is a totally different debate and i don't think that was Sarr's argument either. What is not normal within this culture is to ostracise or attach motives to a call for sabary. In a government of mansakunda as our society permits, the president is bour and his authority is sacrosanct. The Wollof reminds us everyday that 'Bour ayoul, degam nyo aye' That is to say, it is not the throne that sucks, it is the authority the throne wields, to put it in a simple translation. The president's truth is generally accepted as absolute. Therefore to condemn Sarr for his call for clemency is perhaps condemning the majority of Gambians who would agree with him, if we are to look at it within the context of this culture.
The Gambia diaspora risks alienating itself from Gambians at home if this trend of general condemnation is pursued without acknowledging their cultural originationion. I do not support a call for sabary for individuals who are wrongly accused and condemned like the six journalist in the context of events in the Gambia. It will only serve to give the wrong impression to an insufferable dictator that his judgement, right or wrong is supreme over all else. I am surprised that a seemingly enlightened Sarr would chose a route of sabary in the case of the six journalists but i would not condemn him for reasoning within what is accepted as Gambian culture or go as far as attaching an unfounded motive on him, just like he is equally guilty attaching motives on ghost authors. However i do believe that cultures exist as much as i believe they evolve but they certainly cannot be changed overnight. Unless and until the people are well informed and educated that the authority that the 'throne' wields belong to them not Yahya Jammeh and can be repossessed from him any time he is found wanting for abusing that authority, there will be a lot of tyrannical acts like jailing the six journalists as well as calls for their sabary.
I think Lt. Colonel Sarr is a very gifted writer. At least the best Gambian story teller to have penned a book in my opinion. Not many people can capture a picture with a blend honesty, humour,legend and expression of self beyond taboo as well as Sarr. I thoroughly enjoyed his two books so far and i'm looking forward to the third and many more. However i do believe he was not so forthcoming in his role as GNA commander in his book COUP D’ETAT BY THE GAMBIA NATIONAL ARMY. He seemed to be everywhere 'good' but nowhere 'bad' when it comes to the actions of the GNA soldiers in the wake of the coup and its aftermath. But then again who would want to hang themselves. My opinion in this regard is as well subjective. |
Edited by - shaka on 08 Sep 2009 18:41:04 |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
© 2005-2024 Nijii |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
