In a message dated 1/16/00 10:34:03 AM Central Standard Time,
Ndey,

Yep, this army is not only a waste of our resources, but let's face it. What
exactly can an army of 1000 men do in the event that our country was
attacked? Their only purpose these days is to "usurp democracy" as you put
it, and to  serve as a  force to be used by the government to bully and
harass Gambians, period.In this role, they come to see first hand the
atrocities that are perpetrated on the public, because they are oftentimes
asked to be the implementers of these acts. If you combine that with a group
of people who are bound and determined to stay in power no matter what, one
can easuily see where a circle of killing to silence those who know too much
can easily develop. The only way that our government can convince us that
this is not what we are headed for, and that they do have the best interest
of the country at heart,  is to embark on a course such as that proposed by
Dr Saine. Their response to that proposal will be the determining factor as
to whether they are ready to move the nation forward, or sink it deeper into
an endless quagmire of violence where nobody wins.

Jabou Joh




[log in to unmask] writes:

Jabou,

 I share the same feelings the notion that "if He can do it I can do it too"
 One thing we have to remember The President as a young person taking over
 power by force has send the wrong message to the youths at home that
 "Anybody can be a president as far as you have access to the guns", as well
 as taking over by force is patriotic, there is nothing political,social and
 morally wrong with that."  This is really a sad notion and it needs to be
 condemed, the last thing we want is another bloody coup where the only
 casualities are the  innocent people. I believe people need to learn that
 you cannot take over power just because you have  access to guns.

 But then the question that remains to asked is what to do with our military
 with sophisticated weapons, undemocractic structures and unalloyed
 ambitions? Gambia's continuing political and economic crisis calls for a
 serious rethink of the role of the military.

 For me to put it simply, Gambia does not need and cannot afford the huge
 expenditure that a standing army requires, Secondly, the Gambian Army is
 been used mostly for internal controls, not defence against external
 enemies. Gambia can comfortably disban the army and no one would feel a
 ripple.

 It is unacceptable and unrealistic to expect women in a place like the
 Gambia to work extremely hard to produce rice and other foodstuffs while
 able bodied men sit around the barracks waiting for a war that will not
 happen.

 The future of Gambia and Africa as a whole is tied to the military and how
 we respond to this continuing threat of the military will shape the
 redemption through  coups, the problems of the 1980s and 1990s have shown
 that the military cannot be expected to protect democracy. THey can only
 usurp democracy, and in the process, create crisis that inevitably,lead to a
 complete collapse of society.

 Democracy can only be redeemed if people elect a government of their own
 choice, and take part in the decision making process at all levels. The
 military is cannot guarantee this type of government. In reality, the
 military can only implement a democracy of the few.

 I hope that Dr Sainea's position paper and letter will be taken seriously
 and the demands be implemented.

 The Struggle Continues!!!!
 Ndey Jobarteh >>

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