Mr. Abdoulaye Saine

you have for most parts certified my own experiences from my tour in
october-november .

Jammeh is popular among the poor and less educated and the women, and they
all say: "he is trying"..  So they give him credit, even not every thing is
what it could be like. I think that was what I tried to express in my latest
report/note to the Gambia-L.
Some of you (thank you for the comments) told me that I was objective. Don´t
say that, for one can never be objective. I tried like Mr. Saine to tell
what I see with my eyes, hear with my ears, conclude with my knowledge, but
I don´t speak any of the local languages, I only come in certain parts of
the country and the society, and I never discussed with any of the
party-leaders or the President, so I will not call my statement objective,
but a signal to all of us that things are not always black or white.
Mr. Saine, I also wish you a nice stay and safe journey back to USA, and
look forward to more analyses from you.
Regards from Asbjørn Nordam


at [log in to unmask] wrote:

> G-L Community:
> 
> I have been in The Gambia for about six weeks.  The last time I visited was
> six years ago, following the presidential and national assembly elections.
> Six years later, the atmosphere following the 2001 elections and the
> violence have all but abated.  2001 appears calmer, less tense than the
> post-elections period of 1996.  Today, Gambians appear less tense or
> agitated as they go along their daily chores to earn a dalasi.  They appear,
> (especially the supporters) less encumbered by excesses of the state, not
> that non exist.  Jammeh appears to be very popular.  Much of this support
> can be found among the poor and less educated, in both the urban and rural
> areas, among the young and old, men and especially women.  His support also
> seems to transcend ethnicity, even though many of his own Jola ethnic kin
> support him generally.  Part of the support can also be found among
> relatively well educated and highly placed Gambians. Some supporters in the
> latter group appear real, others support him to keep their perks or are too
> scared to say anything against him.  They want to keep their jobs, that I
> can understand.  Life can be tough without one as the economic challenges
> reveal the raw instinct of human survival.
> 

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