Gambia-l:

As the Jammeh regime celebrates the 5th anniversary of its seizure of power,
some stocktaking by all Gambians seems to be in order.  I am therefore
proposing that we (as individuals) assess the AFPRC/APRC's performance
against the backdrop of its own stated mission and objectives.  This would be
an enlightening exercise in reflection, introspection, and prospection.
        The AFPRC assumed the helm in 1994 at a time when there appeared to
be a consensus on the rotten nature of PPP rule.  The Jawara era was, by most
measures, characterized by economic decadence, bureaucratic ineptitude, and
political incompetence.  Jawara, however, managed to cultivate and maintain a
democratic facade in The Gambia.  The country exhibited a relatively high
degree of political tolerance, yet alternation of political power through
peaceful means appeared to be beyond the realm of possibilities.
        Political corruption and the regime's dominance of the media were
among the culprits.  And underneath the veneer of a peaceful, democratic
state, the country was literally crumbling in all senses of the
word--dilapidated infrastructure, mounting debt, endemic corruption, etc.
But the misdeeds and mistakes of the Jawara regime are supposed to be things
of the past.  We should revisit the three decades of misrule primarily for
reflection and for guidance in our attempts to move forward.
        This means that our focus ought to be on the current regime and the
future of our beloved country.  In that context, we should ask ourselves some
pertinent questions as the APRC marks the anniversary of Jammeh's
"revolution."  To what extent has Jammeh (and his cohorts) remained faithful
to the path for
which Jawara was overthrown?  Are Gambians better off now than they were
before July 22, 1994?  What does the future hold for The Gambia?

        Our individual evaluations of the country's state of affairs will
enlighten us all in many respects.  I will submit a very brief assessment in
due course.  It is, however, my contention that the noble objectives for
which the AFPRC seized power have since been relegated to the backburner.
Jammeh is clearly not Jawara.  A look at the important strides made in
developing the country's infrastructure and  the former's disregard for human
rights attest to this fact.  By the same token, it is my view that the APRC
regime is in many ways a reinvention of the PPP hegemony it dismantled.
From mundane things like leaders' obsession with titles (Alhaji, Dr., Sir,
etc.) to more important issues such as dominance of the media and rewarding
chronyism and praise-singing, the picture looks the same from my vantage
point.

Well, I will have more to say later.  What are your views?

Amadou Scattred Janneh
Nashvillle/Knoxville

PS:  Organizers of the Gambian Reunion deserve our sincere commendation.  I
attended the picnic and I must say that "King Solomon is THE D.J."  I
witnessed the IJahman fiasco, but sentiments expressed by Baboucar Sillah
proved to be very reassuring.  I also got to meet Dr. Saine and a few other
members of the "L."  I only regret the fact that I could not attend Mrs. Kura
Njie's function.  See some of you in Stockholm soon!

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