Jammeh's Woeful Rhetoric

The Independent (Banjul)
OPINION
June 14, 2004
Posted to the web June 14, 2004
Banjul

Why should Jammeh demonise Sedia Jatta? Why should President Jammeh brand
Sedia Jatta a pagan? What has his dialogue with the people got to do with
religious sentiments? Anyway, one would have expected President Jammeh to
concentrate on more meaningful issues, than jeering offensive remarks on
innocent Sedia Jatta who was not there at the time to defend himself. The
people of Wuli are not fools - they are politically conscious that is why
they have voted for Sedia Jatta; they believe that the PDOIS is a party to
be reckoned with and that people fond of building castles in the air cannot
hoodwink them. The people of Wuli would have expected Jammeh to use his
good offices to bring good things for them for the socio-economic
development of the society, as they equally pay taxes to the government.

No wonder that is why The Independent power quotes said; man is a political
animal; that human beings can stand in a political platform and demonise
their fellow brothers: that President Jammeh who holds the highest office
in the land, stoop down to embarrass his political opponents in a broad day
light.

Religion is a private issue and that The Gambian leader should know that
the Holy Quran even states that "there is not compulsion in religion." For
heaven sake, why should Jammeh attack that Wuli votes would go to his
party, the APRC. If his rhetoric at the meeting is anything to lean on,
then sooner or later this country would be facing a looming religious
crisis. If those at the top can use their high offices to create confusion
and hatred among people, then what is stopping the ordinary man in the
street from causing trouble? The veil palaver at St. Thereses late last
year should be an eye opener. Yet, we do not care about the kind of
speeches we make at public gatherings. A leader should be a role model -
one who is seen as a good orator, not one who divides her people for his
own interest. President Jammeh is interested in setting up an "empire" in
Wuli but that is not the way to do it.

For a paragon like Sedia, he has established a special fund for the
development of Wul. He created special fund and deduct his monthly salary
for the development of his constituency. Apart from this, which other party
is doing similar things? The people of Wuli do not want to welcome someone
in their midst who is only interested in narrating long tales without
talking sense. The people of Wuli know and value their songs and daughters
and Sedia Jatta is one of them. It is infact insulting to say that Sedia
Jatta of Wuli is a pagan; it means the people who voted him in office are
equally pagans. No they are not!

No wonder as the English would say a drowning man would always try to catch
a straw. A regime that has nothing to tell the people will capitalise to
damage other as the one responsible of their mess.

It is surprising to hear Edward Singhateh saying: government would from now
operate "Operation No Compromise" to extend to the opposition until such a
time that they would realise the need to change their attitudes.

The secretary of state vowed that Wuli West would be exempted from the
rural electrification project, if they continue to vote for the opposition.
It is sad that our political leaders are setting up a dangerous precedent.
When we say government, it means the people, including the APRC, UDP,
PDOIS, NRP, NDAM and GAPD.

It is therefore wrong to punish people just because they don't vote for
one's party, when they all contributing to the generation of revenues.

So let Jammeh and his cohort be warned.


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