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Momodou
Denmark
11804 Posts |
 Posted - 09 Feb 2010 : 16:53:10
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Foroyaa Editorial : The President and The Brufut Elders 5 Million Dalasi Donation
The meeting between the Brufut elders and President Jammeh reveals a very curious face of Gambian politics that few political leaders are trying to change. In this respect, it works against all leaders who depend on it for their political survival. What is that attitude?
The elders of Brufut told the President that their sons who are close to the government organised the meeting. They explained that the only reason why they were opposed to him is because of the decision of the government to appoint an Alkalo, whom they did not approve. They further emphasised that now that that has changed and a person has been appointed as the head man or Alkalo of the village, who is their child, they are now satisfied. They emphasised that an elder of Brufut, the late Alkalo, was the first person President Jammeh adopted as a father and that it was the elders of Brufut who first told him to change his military uniform into a civilian one.
Other party supporters of the APRC counseled the rest to focus their attention on how many sons and daughters of Brufut the President has made ministers or appointed to important posts.
Apparently, the President told them that even though Brufut welcomed him the men decided to stay away when he became President. He added that the men refused to embrace him. He indicated that since he the president controls the well he knew that they would have to come one day to request something from him. He concluded by giving them 1.7 Million dalasi and promised to add another 3.3 Million dalasi to make it 5 Million dalasi.
It should be clear to all Gambians that the positions the President can offer is limited and is financed by public funds. The money he has to give is also limited. If villages are to support President Jammeh only because one villager or another is appointed a Minister or officer, what then should be the attitude of villagers whose residents are not appointed? How many Millions could President Jammeh give to each village to build mosques, provide water, electricity and other infrastructure? Should the local and Central Government provide these things or the President? The Government had a deficit of 363 Million dalasi in 2009. It had to take loans to feel the gap. If the President has money to take care of the needs of every village that gives him support then why should the country have a budget deficit of 363 Million.
The Gambian people should move away from political tokenism. Selective appointments and allocations of Millions are mere political symbolisms, which only mesmerize those who do not understand the true function of the executive under a Republic.
Such an executive must derive authority from the consent of the people and utilise authority to promote general welfare, irrespective of party affiliation or origin. That is the type of system that we, the free men and women of the Republic, need.
Source: Foroyaa Online
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