Jabou wrote:
"Any kind of progress coupled with what is for all intents and purposes the
makings of a police state, only goes to undermine such progress and
tarnishes a good and commendable effort no matter how much it's supporters
who refuse to be objective, both for their own sake as well as for the sake
and overall well being of their fellow countrymen, try to conduct public
relations on their behalf.
When our leaders finally learn that to have the continued support of the
people simply requires not the barell of the gun or the heavy hand of
repression, but merely taking great care not only to bring material
progress, but to safeguard every aspect of the rights of the people for
self expression, it will be a great day".
Jabou,
Like I have said many times before, our aspirations are limitless unlike our
resources. Our circumstances, perspectives and priorities are also not the
same. It is for these reasons that I always counsel people not to make hasty
decisions without thinking about the consequencies first.
The Gambia's population is more than 1.3 million of which more than 40%
(more than 520,000 people) are adults of sound mind who have lived in the
country continuously at least for the past 25 years. This group of people do
not need people, for reasons best known to them, instigate violence or chaos
in our midst, in the name of democracy or human rights. If more than 99.9%
of our population have never been visited by the NIA or shot during the past
7 years, but instead you have less than 0.001% who want to matyr themselves,
I say they are welcome. Whereas there are people who do not support this
government, and those of us who do recognize that it is their inalienable
right to do so, there are others who would not, under any circumstances,
recognize the legitimacy and inalienable right of those elected by the
overwhelming majority of our peoples to rule. In that case, what do you
expect? Of course the state will hound and harass them. It is only natural.
When the president during his inauguration admitted that we have all wronged
each other during the past and asked for mutual forgiveness and
reconciliation, he did so passionately and genuinely. Elmer G. Letterman
wrote that "A man's greatest strength develops at the point where he
overcomes his greatest weakness". This has been one of the principal
cardinal points of the AFPRC/APRC. The APRC government is willing to listen
and learn from its mistakes. They have always listened to the voices of the
people otherwise they would not have shortened their transition from four to
two years. They developed the public media to unprecedented levels and
provided the enabling environment for the private mdeia to develop and
flourish. This they did in order to promote dialogue and the free exchange
of ideas for the common good of all Gambians regardless of political
affiliation. Despite all the hulla baloo over the intimidation of the
independent media, the reality on the ground is the total opposite. Our
newspapers are a hundred fold more vibrant during the past two years than
ever before, the number of private and community radio stations in the
country number more than 30 and the number of newspapers and journals number
atleast a dozen. Common guys, lets face the facts and not be too sentimental
about certain issues. The government has made mistakes and like all good
governments have owned up to them. The governance of the country should not
be left entirely to those in cabinet or the NIA or security forces. It is
our collective responsibility to do so. No responsible government will allow
a minority of people to jeopardize the security and safety of its people.
Just like the budget speech in which SOS Jatta admitted that there are
problems with our economy and outlined how they plan to overcome them, we
had people who thought they can score political point simply because the
government wants to drive home the fact that we all need to work very hard
in order to save our country, some diehard opposition elements dismissed the
recent overtures from the president out of hand. Such people are not trying
to defend anybody's rights or wellbeing but their own. The abject poverty in
our midst is more of a priority to us than worrying about people who
stubbornly insist on their inalienable right to matyr themselves. It is
their choice and let them live with it.
Another point that those who are opposed to the government should realise is
that the shadow of doubt that hung over the legitimacy of the government a
few years ago, has vapourized with the recently conducted presidential
elections! No amount of spin can justify anyone continuing to cause
commotion as to whether this government is legitimate or not! The APRC
campaigned hard, put their agenda across to the people that matter, The
Gambian electorate, and got their mandate. It is now time for all to support
them in their endevour to develop the country. Those who do not want to join
them in this noble quest are free to stand aside and allow those who are
prepared to contribute their little quota to do so without hinderance or
distraction.
Have a good day, Gassa.
_________________________________________________________________
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