Mr Jawara,
Is this a private mail to Dr Saine or is it for the forum to discuss?
Prince
----- Original Message -----
From: "salomon jawara" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2000 6:15 PM
Subject: Dr. Saine: Democracy.
Dear Dr. Saine,
According to my observation, there has being an overwhelming criticism of
Yaya Jammeh
particularly on the Gambia L that i still have difficulty understanding,
knowing that there´s
no genuine democracy anywhere in this world. Most of the criticism based
on the
deficiency of democracy i think is dispensable. I want to share with you a
question and
would be obliged in acquiring an answer from you.
Is the Western style democracy really suitable for Africa?
We need to understand that democracy cannot be packaged and exported like
every other
commodity. The rule of law and civil / human / citizenship rights which
while being
meaningful in the context of the history of Europe, are essentially
meaningless when applied
in rural Africa where the mojority of people live.
I think Africa´s situation of social and economic under development has to
be more than to
democracy than a multi party system and periodic elections. Western style
democracy could only have full meaning for ordinary Africans if they
simultaniously led to
the creation of conditions for the improvment of their livelihood. Looking
back wards to
Jawara´s thirty years of democratic, this hasn´t gained any effects.
A disproposionate amount of resources and lives have been wasted for decades
in the
fight for Western style democracy in Africa. The struggle and rule by
democracy like wise
authoritarian have both produced resurgence in the ethnic and religious
identities.
Almost all African social scientistss´ notion of democracy are heavily
influenced by those
developed out of the African historical and cultural perspective, but in the
West.
In creating an African democracy, it should be a product of local entities
based on their
history. Our civil society in Africa is more complex than we thought,
comprising of
groups calling for a western style democracy, antidemocratic forces, and
different ethnic
groups. But with the help of our social scientists, an effective African
democracy can be
moulded without the risk for misinterpretation, which can sometimes course
devastating
consequences.
The future for Africa lies in education, empowerment and employment of our
enormous
physical and human resources to generate poverty - reducing economic growth.
This can
only be acheived through efficient socio - economic policies, and not by
the stuggle for power,
intolerance and distrust, which is bringing Africa to ruin.
The Jammeh regime undoubtedly has some defects, but there is no truely
genuine democracy
on the face of this earth yet. I think Africa has alot to learn from Asia,
and our social scientists
including interlectuals still has alot to do. The course of African
importation of western ideas,
ways of doing things and cultures ( European civilising mision to Africa),
has so much impact
opon us, that we tend to loosen up in creating and establishing our own. And
this exportation
is continuing through different refinements, to this day.
Let us Africans exercise awareness, love and tolerance for each other. This
includes every one,
from the leaders to the farmers.
I personally have no animosity against Mr. Jammeh, but i think one should be
tolerant towards
him and try help him rectify some of his mistakes, instead of all the
negativity against him.
You cannot rectify a wrong with a wrong.
Thanks for sharing !
Saul S.Jawara.
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