Jammeh Signals

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                The Independent (Banjul)
  EDITORIAL
December 30, 2005
Posted to the web January 6, 2006
  Banjul
  President Yahya Jammeh has once again exhibited his government's usual intolerant colour towards the opposition in the country. During his New Year interview with GRTS, Jammeh signaled that he would continue his iron-fist ruling in 2006, contrary to what some people had expected.
  As we entered 2006, we thought Jammeh's pre-occupation would be to apply zero tolerance to undemocratic moves, respect for the rule of law, human rights, security and corruption that is biting our economy. Since occasions like the New Year are set aside for merrymaking, President Jammeh should not have fired threats while celebrations were going on.
  Besides, threats are misfits in our society, especially as we move along the road to elections in October this year. By continuously issuing threats to his opponents, Jammeh is proving to the whole world that the coming elections would be neither free nor fair. It is unfair for Jammeh to rely on the state machinery and security under his control to pose blanket threats on citizens. But he should understand that absolute power belongs to God alone and not leaders. Please, slow down your words of threats if you really mean what you are preaching. Politics is a game of professionals, which must not be taken at heart to the extent that its negative consequences disrupt peace in our country.
  Going by the trend of events in the country, it is clear that Jammeh is clearing any obstacle on the elections road. The arrest, detention and subsequent charges of the three key opposition figures are clear testimonies that your government is following the lines of other repressive regimes in Africa.
  In some countries, leaders are debriefed hours before they entertain marathon interviews from press officials who are in the habit of pinning down executives on sensitive or critical issues. That is not the case in our country but we think time has come for us to start introducing that system. Our executives should be briefed how to tackle some sensitive press queries. Otherwise, they would only succeed in either diving people or cause state of panic in the country.
  Throughout the world, leaders are honoured for serving the interest of their respective peoples. But this should not bar their subjects from throwing truth on their face. By that, their countries would attain peace, stability and genuine development. Consequently, the citizens chase out anything that would endanger the above.
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  Leadership must not therefore be abused for whatever reasons or interests.
  And those leaders who wrong their subjects and communities lose their honour or dignity as soon as they leave office. All we want is a country where the rights of people are respected, no matter which political, ethnic or cultural background they belong to. We all wear the same citizenship colour, so what is good for the goose should be good for the gander.


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