Hello Mr. Ansumana Kujabi ,  Mr. Dampha Kebba and Mr Obrien-Coker,
and friends on gambia-l

First I will say that it´s  alarming the news from the Gambia, if the free
press is now threatened to keep silent from the coroners public hearings.
And also that the student-leader is nowhere to be found.

Next I will turn to the now upcoming comments on the time "after Jammeh".
Short time after the april-incident in one of my notes to Gambia-L I focused
on the coming period as very important. To say it briefly, we can all shout
that Jammeh must go, but would at the same time  focus on the time after. If
we will gain respect we must be ready to take over, or at least have a plan
for how to get on and give our contribution to a new and otherwise era in
the Gambian history.
I understand that many are impatient like Obrien-Coker. But these days I
ask myself what will come afterwards, after we forced our leaders to go.
Please, Obrien-Coker try to give your opinion of different scenarios, IF
Jammeh for one reason or another really packed his things and continue life
as a farmer ! (or could anyone imagine him back to his former job in the
army ?). What do you think or suggest should happen next ? How should he
step down/withdraw, who do you suggest will take over etc., etc. Try to
elaborate on the "imagined" situation and the time after, with different
scenarios. 

Fore me there are very many questions, some are  practical and some are more
political, personal and moral ones.

As a foreigner who want to understand how systems exists in other countries,
specially in our Gambia, I would like to ask you to give more information
how is  elections held in The Gambia ?  I have never been to The Gambia,
when rallies  taking place and voting  organized. But it´s my plan to come
next time. 

Who can vote ? what are the elementary rules to get the right to vote and is
there a reason you can lose it or the authorities take it from you?  where
to vote ? can you vote by letter, when you live abroad? how do you set up a
list of candidates? can you just be nominated in one district only or do you
have to be a candidate in a region or the country ? can you campaign as an
individual or is it necessary that you register as a party-candidate ? and
has it to be registered when and where ? who is monitoring the system  at
the different places/villages ? is it the authorities, or like here in
Denmark voluntary people from the different parties nominated for the
election who are responsible? how and who is collecting the ballots ? how is
it practiced ? who is responsible for counting and publishing the results ?
etc.
Where in the process are there a risks of manipulating ? it seems to me that
many of you don´t think there can be free and fair elections in the country,
that is why I´m asking.

Why do you think that the international community will not be invited to
come and monitor the elections ?

I will come back to the more political and moral issues. Those  questions
have more to do with the themes for a political platform and changes, and
who can we trust.
But let me for a beginning just ask if any one on this gambia-l could come
up with names of past or present gambians, from all kind of positions in the
society,  who you believe has such a potential that in your opinion they
could serve as a role model as a  political figure you would recommend as a
candidate and be glad to vote for?   I´m not asking for the name of the
coming president, but try to give examples of role-models for a politician
working locally, in parliament or even as president. All names on people in
the gambian history,  A person  whom you personally would like to cast your
vote on, whom you think  could be or have been a fine political leader. If
we get many names, maybe we can spot what are the characteristics for the
persons named, and is that what we are looking for in our coming political
leaders ? From my side this is an experiment.
If we can not go by names, then maybe some of you could try to give the
characteristics you think is necessary for an ideal political figure.
Imagine we should advertise for applicants to a job. How would you describe
what is needed, what you are looking for from that person ?

In Denmark it is  easy to become a local elected or parliament member, if
you join a party. But   many people, who we all would be glad to nominate,
would never dream of involving themselves into politics. For them politics
would become a "dirty spot" on their reputation. They never want to become a
part of that game, they feel that their integrity would never be the same.

Comments and many questions from Asbjørn Nordam

> The massive demonstrations held in New York City, London, Sweden and in many
> other Cities around the world is a clear indication that President Jammeh
> MUST GO and safe our country from total destruction and blood-shed. His
> behavior has not only turned-off the entire Gambian population, but
> turned-off also every international community. I have been talking to so
> many Black Americans and Asian community who have all expressed their
> outrage over the killing of innocent students in a country which had known
> peace for decades. Now the word PEACE IS MORE THAN JUST A NAME to every
> GAMBIAN living in and outside the country.
> 
> The important question WE GAMBIANS NOW FACE is how do we GET RID OFF JAMMEH?
> Do we use the BALLOT-BOX, or do we use ANY MEANS NECESSARY? Another
> important question we face is, WHO IS THE RIGHT PERSON TO REPLACE HIM?
> Starting with the former question, could Jammeh be voted out in a free and
> fair election? And will he accept a defeat and step down? I think the answer
> to this question could only be possible if Jammeh lifts the ban on all
> political parties and encourage the atmosphere for a free and fair election
> where INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS WOULD BE ALLOWED TO COME AND ORGANIZE AND
> MONITOR THE ELECTIONS. But past and present experiences have clearly
> illustrated that Jammeh will not be willing to invite International
> observers to come and arrange and monitor a free and fair election; because
> he knows that even past elections, he rigged it by force, that could have
> been the elections which he could have won squarely. Now could he win
> elections under such turmoil and dislike and anger, ofcourse not. So
> therefore, could Jammeh be removed by ballot box? Obviously, he would do
> what ever it takes to remain in power.
> 
> The above analyses takes us to our latter question, ie BY ANY MEANS
> NECESSARY? 
> ANSUMANA KUJABI
> ________________________________________________________________________
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