In a message dated 10/24/99 8:51:31 AM Central Daylight Time, [log in to unmask]
writes:
<< Like the President they are driven by want for self perpetuation and if
that means
dragging the nation into the abyss then the good people of Gambia would just
have to prepare for the trip to ruin.
>>
*********************
Karamba,
The above sentecne from your posting sums it all up in a nutshell. There is
absolutely no doubt that Jammeh and his cohorts are well aware that they are
far from being an even mediocre democracy, much less serving the interest of
the Gambian people.They have sold their souls for the title or office, and
are engaged in the process of perpetuating themselves in these positions for
as long as they can swing it, even if it means murder, turture, false
accusations, and threats. This is the process that is unfolding in The Gambia
right now, so expect nothing more.How else can one force oneself on the
people against their will, except with the strong arm and devious tactics we
are witnessing? Competency is not even part of the picture here, it is simply
a case of the worst in us doing what many a government on our continent
thinks being in a position of power is all about, namely grab as much as you
can, for as long as you can, and silence anyone who dares to say anything by
any means necessary. Those who want to stay in the game and keep their
positions, have to tote the line, even if it makes them appear as total
"nincumpoops" even to themselves.It is a most bizarre phenomenon.Make no
mistake about it, our country is indeed in the grip of tyrants. This charade
they are engaged in by telling us of all the so-called progress they are
bringing to the country, and all the window dressing presented to the
international community is all part of the game.In circumstances like these,
these people have lost their common sense, and consequently their
professional credibility and dignity, thus it is natural for them to delude
themselves into thinking that the rest of the World has lost their's too,
and will somehow be sucked into the game.
Jabou Joh
Functioning democracies have strong legislatures, an independent judiciary
and executive branch operating in a structured arrangement enabling each to
serve as a check on the other. Consequently the people are able to foster and
enjoy a free society that is predicated on giving each and every citizen an
unhindered opportunity to succeed in his or her own right. Ideas can only
flourish and consensus can only emerge when all especially those who seek to
be leaders can be heard and the people at large are able to make judgments
based on the information and interaction they have on their perspective
leaders.
Contrast these simple but profound attributes of a democracy to what we
currently have in Gambia whose President calls himself an elected head of
state when all evidence points to a man who rigged, tortured and murdered his
way into an office he could never legitimately earn. Does anyone seriously
believe that this regime is doing all it can to mold Gambia into a vibrant
democracy where the long suffering population would at last have the good
fortune of being led by people who cares about their plight and has the
ability to inclination to try to resolve. Listening to this President and
his senior staff is enough to make one's stomach churn. They scurrilously
avoid acknowledging the myriad of problems that the nation faces choosing
instead to trump bogus 'achievements' apparently convinced that the people
can be talked out of their own perilous predicaments. Faltering schools, a
crumbling health care system, and a failing economy all present and clearly
manifested are never thrust into the national body politic. Instead the
ministers and other cronies spend all their time posturing to try to stay in
the good graces of their president whom they no is only interested in
unflinching display of symbolism and personal loyalty to him. As a result
they spend most of their time either hectoring perceived dissidents within
the government about the need to tow their line or foolishly attempting to
lecture the rest of the population reeling under grinding poverty that they
ought to be grateful for all the good that this administration has brought
them. They do all this with such a degree of churlishness and Chutzpah that
one can only conclude that these people who ordinarily may be nice people
have taken leave of their conscience. Take Tombong Saidy for example. He
knows all about a free society and the indespensable role of a fair and
vibrant press in furthering democracy because he has lived in and worked one.
It is not unreasonable for anyone to assume that having had the good fortune
of being in charge of the nations broadcast outlets he would all he can to
establish once and for all a strong independent media tradition anchored on
the fairness doctrine. He can by making ethics and fairness the two cardinal
rules in reporting so that issues of national import are presented with both
proponents and opponents points of view. Sadly Mr Saidy has morphed into the
equivalent of a propaganda commissar who is running a government information
mill only interested in propunding official lines. Consequently young
reporters who may otherwise have been molded into effective public servants
are seriously compromised because they resemble megaphones that just amplify
packaged information as opposed the usual professional streaks of being
probative and skeptical. The news on GRTS ,list members, comes across as
shallow and unprefessional because of the incessant preoccupation with being
politically correct. Would Mr Saidy have survived for as long as he does if
he insisted on running a professional media outlet? Probably not . But he
would have attempted to do the right thing and that is all an honest citizen
could do for both himself and his nation.
Our legislature to the extent that it can be called one is a mockery of a
deliberative body. Packed with the President's cronies, the orientation
mirrors that of the government . Business conducted in the house is done only
as a matter of routine with no likelihood of influencing whatever
hodge-podge of a legislation the government sends over. The few valliant
opposition that may want to do good have no capacity because of their numbers
or the arcane rules that say any piece legislation has to have majority
support before it can even be initiated for debate. The presidents cronies in
the house are not serious legislators who ultimately want to do good. Like
the President they are driven by want for self perpetuation and if that means
dragging the nation into the abyss then the good people of Gambia would just
have to prepare for the trip to ruin.
Our judiciary is also constantly being undermined. Judges are illegally fired
and the President has routinely violated the flawed constitution he puports
to support. Worng doing by the government would never be adjudicated in a
nation whose head is complicit in a series of aggregious crimes. You want to
have important national questions such as accountibility for monies
contracted in the name of the nation that have simply dissappeared into
overseas accounts, you are out luck in Yayah Jammehs Gambia. He has utterly
corrupted the system.
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