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Momodou
Denmark
11786 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Mar 2010 : 10:35:58
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Culled from Maafanta.com
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Is Yaya Jammeh Our Perfect President?
by Fatou Jaw Manneh
 Methinks so.
Well the saying goes that a leader is a reflection of its people and that cannot be more accurate than in the Gambia.
Yaya Jammeh is the chosen leader of the Gambian people and it’s high time that Gambians in the Diaspora get to grips with that. Don’t mind the disappearances, the arrests and the dead. Actually the more people disappear, the more ‘patriotic’ Gambians become.
For the frightening reports from back home, well ,what are we going to do about it.? If Gambians on the ground are not ready to take matters into their own hands, who are we to question the status Quo?
The same Gambians giving us these scary reports back home are the same people, who will do whatever it takes to get jobs from Jammeh. Whether it be giving in a neighbor or an uncle, if it will throw a few crumbs on their way, go for it please. Does the name Sheik ring a bell?
Gambian journalists should be commended for saying it as it is. The whole world truly knows who “the rotten ones are". Looking back, no wonder, the slave trade flourished in the Gambia, not only because we had a port for it, but because we don’t wiggle ourselves out of terrible situations. We wait for others to come help us. Bakary will sell Lamin to a slave trader John Williams, hoping the trade will cede before they get to him. Am sure they used to pride themselves in throwing their uncles into the net than saving them. In this APRC era, it is called Patriotism, am not sure about the terms in those days. (Lamin Dee Toubabala, Allahlay Nyingfo), Give lamin to the white man; it is God’s will. It is no different now so we better come to terms with it.
In 2007, when I got arrested from the airport in Banjul and detained at the NIA headquarters for 6 days, little did I know the epiphany that awaits me. I was so upset that fear was completely out of the equation. I thought well, if there is going to be any showdown, here it comes. Before the pickup truck turned into the NIA gates, I PRAYED TO God to give my Mum and my two sons all the strength necessary to carry on should incase anything happens to me. And I vowed that, if this is my final day on earth, so be it but am not going to shed a tear in this NIA compound. The heat, mosquitoes, dirty bathrooms and endless interrogations began. Each of their questions was answered direct and to the point and to the best of my knowledge. Then the circus court case started and it took one year and six months.
Well, if you think, Yaya Jammeh is gross and cruel, come meet some of his subjects, among the Gambian masses. Don’t get me wrong here, a lot of Gambians I believe harbor the same disdain about Gambia’s problems but the bottom-line is, WHO IS GOING TO BELL THE CAT? I appreciated all the “you are a hero”, “God brought you here for a reason”, and the ninety names of Allah verses brought to me on a continuous basis but I would have preferred if we all carry a hammer and sword with Allah’s ninety names when Chief Manneh was abducted, when the witch hunters came for our grandparents and uncles, when Deyda Hydara was shot dead and when the GPU 8 got arrested.I hate violence but do we have to sit still whilst our loved ones are individually picked, smeared, jailed or dissappear and never to come back?
I cannot thank more, ordinary Gambians whom I’ve never met come to give some encouragement with all the prayers. But you don’t fight a dictatorship, behind corridors with God’s name tucked under your shirt. IF you believe that there is no god but God,and that there is no ultimate power but God's, you don’t go beg the king for your brother’s disappearance, or pleading to the witch hunters for mercy? No one individual has power more or over the other. The ultimate power is with God and we can do a whole lot of good for our neighbors and friends if we as Gambians believe in God and help ourselves. Believing in God is not just going to the mosque, memorizing the ninety nine names of Allah and trekking to Touba. It is about having faith and fearing no other human being that is out there to harm you. Down with the hypocrites calling themselves Muslims. Down with the haters, the cruel and the unpredictable, the greedy and the selfish!!
In as much as disgusting Jammeh’s policies are, how about the judges and lawyers who ignore the law in favor of Jammeh. How about the Gambian people who instead of getting up to defend their brothers and neighbors, resort to reporting them, or forming a delegation to either thank Jammeh, for a stupid mistake or beg him for mercy. Over and over and over again. We create the monster in Jammeh, clapping for him anytime he fires, detains and jail our fellow Gambians. Creating an excuse for him anytime he pounced on someone. When shall it end?
I was living in America, bombarding Jammeh for all the atrocities and thinking Gambians are just mere victims not knowing that that Gambians themselves are their own enemies. The APRC establishment champions and celebrates cruelty. It is a cartel of mischievous and cruel Gambians that will stop at nothing in extending harm to their fellow men. It has layers of powers and clubs and individuals all with power in their hands and unleashing it as they see fit on their fellow Gambians. No wonder if they are dumped out of the cartel, they fear for their lives because then their safety is not guaranteed from any individual within the APRC, who can harm one, for your car, your house, your wife or if you dare share a girlfriend or a SHE eying on ones husband. So it is left to Gambians to stand up against brutality, injustice, disrespect and humiliation.
There is an unending tale as to who did what to whom and why, each reason, bogus and trivial beyond comprehension. The terror starts from the top and trickles down to the cleaner at the NIA. It is common knowledge for Directors to have or know people at the NIA that have to be constantly watching their back, in case some Patheh within the unknown APRC hierarchy decides to smear them.
Watching Gambians go about their funny and mischievous ways have baffled me throughout my stay, not to mention the labeling and name calling that was attributed to me, so they can excuse themselves, in their heads of my predicament. I was angry at my own ignorance of my country folks and the way we coordinate our affairs. Gambians have abused the word patriotism, again and again just so they are spared Jammeh’s rod and can use it as an excuse too, to blindly follow him.
When I refuse to run and all their tricks fail for me to drop the case by asking to beg or offering to row me out of Banjul, they clearly declared war on me, just so they can break me down and get rid of my court problem. Some family members and some friends whom I’ve revered as my heroes, all turned against me. They began to spread news that I am mad, I’ve lost it and they will shamelessly come to verify whether am indeed coocoo. All well taken but if our grandfathers, grandmothers and neighbors are snatched and forced to drink concoctions that can be fatal, and Gambians openly thank Jammeh for cleaning the communities of witches. Don’t you think something is wrong with us too and not just Jammeh?
What am trying to say is that Gambians, will give all their sons and daughters and neighbors to the lion, rather than collectively find a way to get rid of it. Just in the name of being scared. They want to have it both ways. Give some fake support to Jammeh to the fullest because he will not tolerate anything less, whilst they cry to us for help. Not realizing that the Diaspora Gambians have no standing army and are also as fragmented and not a collective force to be able to effect any change on the ground.We can only compliment their efforts.
Whilst some of my colleagues argue that there is no strong opposition on the ground, i beg to differ. Gambians have to rise up, trash the opposition if necessary, or force them to form and alliance. The power of the people lies not in the hands of Jammeh or the opposition leaders but with ordinary gambians. I just read a strong commentary from a cool brother on the power of the people and what ordinary people when united can achieve but alas. Without action,the only revolution that is going to be celebrated might just be the so called July 22nd revolution.
Gambians had a chance for a revolution when NADD was formed, when our grandmothers and fathers were individually collected and forced to drink the somewhat fatal “kubeyJarra”. When our own sons and daughters got shot. when Deyda Hydara got shot, When chief Ebrima Manneh disappeared. When Kanyiba Kanyi disappeared. These incidents were all a call for a revolution. Gambians in the diaspora cannot abandon what they do to go back home for a reveolution. We can only compliment and help. But our fellow Gambians at home would rather be humiliated , fired ten times over and then hired back than do anything to the contrary to gain their liberty.
So the debacle is here to stay unless we get up and sacrifice, protect our dignity,and demand our liberty. Freedom is never dished out. It is earned.
Fatou Jaw Manneh
fatoujm@gmail.com
"We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face...
we must do that which we think we cannot".
—Eleanor Roosevelt
Source: Maafanta
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
Posted - 24 Mar 2010 : 18:22:07
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quote:
Looking back, no wonder, the slave trade flourished in the Gambia, not only because we had a port for it, but because we don’t wiggle ourselves out of terrible situations. We wait for others to come help us. Bakary will sell Lamin to a slave trader John Williams, hoping the trade will cede before they get to him. Am sure they used to pride themselves in throwing their uncles into the net than saving them. In this APRC era, it is called Patriotism, am not sure about the terms in those days. (Lamin Dee Toubabala, Allahlay Nyingfo), Give lamin to the white man; it is God’s will. It is no different now so we better come to terms with it.
Thanks for an interesting article; it shows many weaknesses in our national self-understanding and the uncertainty as to the way forward. I agree the problems of Gambia can only be solved by Gambians on the ground but how, if the instrument of governance is written in a foreign language that has no connection to their history or their everyday reality.
Nevertheless I would rather walk a longer memory-lain that stretches from the Nanchollu to Mandela beyond the “Atlantic slave trade” which is just but an element amongst other experiences that construct the Gambian historical memory and the gambianmindset. The gambianmindset equally owes allegiance to Mali and her vassal states, Kayor etc, to the “black-knees” and “barrel-emptier”, they are called black-knee because when they pose on their knees to fire at the enemy, they do not move or change position before emptying a whole gunpowder barrel. Slavery is a human phenomenon that exists in all societies as a tradition of exploiting the weak for personal gains long before the Atlantic slave trade and is not typical Gambian; therefore the gambianmindset constitutes historical sediments far more complex than Mr. Salve masters arrival in about the 15th century. If the slavish mentality is a factor that explains the acceptance of dictatorship then it should apply to all countries that have had and have slavery as a principle of organising labour.
I would rather understand the acceptance of suppression or the weakness in fore dictatorship as a result of a triple heritage i.e. Arabic (ninety nine names), English (Magna Carta) and indigenous (Mandingka, Foula, etc.) worldviews and the inability to translate them in context with our everyday reality.
At least 60% of Gambians still feel something when they listen to Sungjulu or Lalo Kebbas Cheddo, chanting the “balangbaas”, “korringollu”, Kelefaa and so fort. How many Gambians understand or feel something when they read my article? Is it possible that my message would reach more Gambian audiences if it where sang by Jaliba or by Bai konteh accompanied by the kora? So, that my message would reach more with the kora than the written medium clearly indicates there is a disconnection between the medium of communication and the expected audiences. If so, the lack of reacting to government policy or dictatorship is more a question of that discrepancy, the gap between the communicator and the listeners, or addressees than the powerlessness, or the cowardice, or the opportunistic, or the hypocritical tendencies of Gambians. How do we bridge this distance between the communicator and the addressees, in other words between the Arabic, English and our domestic worldviews? Many would say by understanding the instrument of government, the constitution. However, the problem of understanding the constitution is more than just the linguistic. Hence to understand the constitution we have to also compensate for the English-British worldview it is written which lack all reference to our collective historical memory. It is the constitution that gives power to the people, on condition that it has a reference to their history and worldview. Until then power to the people or the people’s power remains an illusion.
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Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
Posted - 24 Mar 2010 : 19:17:11
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| I agree totally with the premises of fatou Jaw Manneh and cannot add any thing to her conclusions except say that it is true. Belling the cat is the BIG ISSUE and it seems no one back home is willing to do that , the cat then roams free and goes on the rampage amongst the pigeons, poor Gambian Citizens who either by acts or omissions contributed to our current political condition . I remember talking to one visitor from the Gambia about these affairs and he responded that we the "Diasporians" sit here and moan and even try to convince those back home to rise up against tyranny as we are considerably safe away from home and the Proverbial cat's wily paws which in his opinion is unfair; hence he asks why we do not return and join the ones we are trying so hard to convince that way.I got his point , and that is that he and many others like him back home are resigned to their fates proving the truth in Miss Manneh's opinions so posted.I want to believe that there are some people who would sacrifice life and limb in those lines but we are yet to see them. Others would say the roaring lion in a hunting area hardly catches it's prey, may be they are silently waiting for an opportune moment to strike , may be there are none at all in that domain.Until we get out of this jungle all we can do is moan ,pray and go to sleep hoping to wake up to news about the renaissance of our motherland by Allah's will. |
Edited by - kaanibaa on 24 Mar 2010 19:19:30 |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 24 Mar 2010 : 20:25:35
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| WOW, is it the thread or me? Even Janko makes sense. :) Good one kaanibaa. |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
Edited by - turk on 24 Mar 2010 23:19:49 |
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dbaldeh
USA
934 Posts |
Posted - 24 Mar 2010 : 23:16:51
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I think Fatou did an excellent job digging into the flesh of Gambia's political and social problems. There are many people who strongly believe in her narration and that it is the reality on the ground.
In fact many can go further to testify that there are usually celebrations within opposing families when one civil servant is removed.
In my last visit to Gambia it coincided with the removal of the then IGP and I witnessed many people visiting his home crying like someone died. Others who were victims during his tenure were silencely celebrating and visiting people he allegedly victimised.
The same scenario went on when Jarjusey the then seyfoo of Jarra Pakalinding was also removed and later reinstated.
The same double standard and hypocrisy can be seen across the regime and country. This is why Jammeh knows the people he is dealing with and comes down hard on them. Off course some of them are simply victims of his indecisiveness and weak leadership but many are victims of the taste of their own medicines.
Don't even get me started on the Diaspora Gambians or opposition. I think we are as disarray/disfunctional as the opposition and there is simply no light at the end of the tunnel. Many of us wants to eat our cake and have it at the same times. Freedom and liberty comes with price and responsibility.
I finally come to terms with the fact that it is Diaspora Gambians who are so upset with the current situation in the Gambia. Off course rightfully so because many of us know the long term consequencies in bad governance. It will come back to hunt our country and set our civic discourse decades back.
For now forget it, Gambians are not ready for the change many of us yearn for and that is the reality in Banjul. When you speak to opposition leaders directly boy you so get how far they are ready to go!!! |
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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Aku_pickin
Christmas Island
162 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2010 : 01:12:33
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I couldn't have said it better Ms. Jaw. This was an excellent analysis of the mindset that prevails in today's Gambia!
My own personal experiences with the people and the illiterate police have left a sour and bitter taste in my mouth. So much so that I have no desire to step foot in Gambia or encourage any form of development investment or visitation to our nation. Just absolutely disgusted by the sad state of the country we use to know as the smiling coast. |
Justice must be served as impunity brings more repression and corruption! |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2010 : 01:53:50
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Aku
Isn't it to harsh 'not to encourage any form of development or visitation to our nation'. I remember once you have proposed to stop remittence as well. |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2010 : 01:54:56
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I thought Turk would take a deep bite of that beef, but wait a minute, the author does not allude to anything going like we have to leave Jammeh in peace. It is in fact the contrary and that is where I bite, just in case you choose to jubilate dear Turk.
We rather try all the bad Gambian elements than leave one rotten element to sink us where others could have sailed. |
Karamba |
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Aku_pickin
Christmas Island
162 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2010 : 02:04:21
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quote:
Originally posted by turk
Aku
Isn't it to harsh 'not to encourage any form of development or visitation to our nation'. I remember once you have proposed to stop remittence as well.
What I propose couldn't be any harsher than what Gambia has endured under the illegal, dictatorial Jammeh regime. Besides what I propose is to help force the Gambian people to do the right thing and free themselves from tyranny. |
Justice must be served as impunity brings more repression and corruption! |
Edited by - Aku_pickin on 25 Mar 2010 02:30:51 |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2010 : 02:07:27
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Wooow Karamba
I just said
quote:
WOW, is it the thread or me? Even Janko makes sense. :) Good one kaanibaa.
Can't brother have an agreement? I think Fatou, Kaanibaa, Janko and dbaldeh all had good contribution. Unlike your usual lynching/scapegoating. |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2010 : 02:12:14
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Aku
Oh sounded like you give up on Gambia. Will you call international sanctions as well. No NGOs, tourists as well? |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2010 : 02:20:09
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quote:
Originally posted by turk
Wooow Karamba
I just said
quote:
WOW, is it the thread or me? Even Janko makes sense. :) Good one kaanibaa.
Can't brother have an agreement? I think Fatou, Kaanibaa, Janko and dbaldeh all had good contribution. Unlike your usual lynching/scapegoating.
Turk,
When Yaya Jammeh faces Gambians at the 'U' turn of traffic, you will see who wants to lynch him. |
Karamba |
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Aku_pickin
Christmas Island
162 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2010 : 02:35:18
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quote:
Originally posted by turk
Aku
Oh sounded like you give up on Gambia. Will you call international sanctions as well. No NGOs, tourists as well?
Hardly Turk. Gambia's problems can only be solved by Gambians. Thus my suggestion to employ alternative means to help free ourselves from the evil clutches of this tyrannical regime. |
Justice must be served as impunity brings more repression and corruption! |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2010 : 02:57:45
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Aku
Let me understand this.
- You said: I have no desire to step foot in Gambia or encourage any form of development investment or visitation to our nation.
- You proposed previously: Stop the remitance.
- You did not confirm that you will not call international sanctions, by other government, NGOs and tourists. Can you clarify this as well?
How is this an alternative and how does it help Gambians?
And when Jammeh is gone, all problems 'the ones original author mentions' change in a day? That is not author is saying. The author says, we have socio-economic problems.
What I understand from previous posts (not your and Karamba), they appreciate that there are socio-economic issues in Gambian society that contributes the problem other than the current regime.
Can you verify if you agree this or not.
quote:
Well the saying goes that a leader is a reflection of its people and that cannot be more accurate than in the Gambia.
It is unfair to the president of Gambia to be hold responsible for every issues in Gambia. I really appreciated that the first four authors having very different perspectives.
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diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
Edited by - turk on 25 Mar 2010 03:43:46 |
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shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2010 : 04:11:19
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Sister Fatou had done a brilliant job overall, by getting to the heart of the Gambian problem. However the blame for our problem should not and cannot be limited to the 'Gambians on the ground'. This collective failure should be burdened on every Gambian including the Gambia diaspora. In getting disgusted by the apparent docility of a seemingly subjugated people on the ground, Fatou has perhaps underestimated the power of the dictatorship machinery. China has over 1.3 billion people within its borders yet still it takes less than 10 million soldiers and other security personnel to enforce a dictatorship on the people. In the brutal history of this dictatorship, all who protest for their rights to freedom are either matyred, jailed or exiled yet the dictatorship still remain. It is even worse in North Korea and other countries. Do we then call the people of China a bunch of wimps who can't fight for their freedom?State engineered terror is simply too overwhelming for the masses. It cannot be fought against by the swords of the people. Rather it is fought with selfless and courageous leaders who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the struggle. It is evident from Fatou's perspective that the Gambian people yearned to be free and are seeking for a 'hero'. In Fatou they saw a hero who "God brought here for a reason.” After many months of trials and tribulations at the hand of the dictatorship and intstead of leading them to freedom, Fatou abandoned the people who looked up to her, for a better life in America. Fatou, therefore, is not blame-free, she is part of the problem that had become the Gambian predicament. The same is true of the Gambia diaspora. This dilemma is our collective problem as Gambians not just those on the ground.
Perhaps the best and most optimistic statement from Fatou's statement is; "whilst some of my colleagues argue that there is no strong opposition on the ground, i beg to differ." There is indeed a strong opposition on the ground, it just needs its collective effort harnessesd toward the endorsement of the majority, to claim victory over tyranny. I am glad Fatou recognised value in a unified opposition. Any such unity should be geared towards a programme to overhaul the present government system and its functionaries, to usher in new dawn. It shall never be, to effect a political coup d'etat to put the leadership of a single political party at the helm. Nobody can and will never rationalise, why, from over half a million eligible Gambians to lead this program, only the executive of a single party is qualified to chose who leads. The APRC coup d'etat is one too many, another one will never be permitted. Fcuk the nepotistic mad dogs trying to impose another one on us. |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
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