Defending the Indefensible




The Independent (Banjul)

EDITORIAL
June 29, 2001
Posted to the web June 29, 2001

Banjul, the Gambia

Like the suddenness of the blood diamond saga, Resolution 1343 came as
another jolt from the sky which at best suggests very unpalatable things
about some of our government functionaries and at worst a slap on the face
of our already battered image as a nation.

As predicted, the state has once again gone on the defensive, trying to
exonerate Baba Jobe for a wrong he may or may not have committed in the same
way it roundly denied any involvement in the blood diamond allegation.

It was good of the state to come out with a statement after "studying"
Resolution 1343, which in the process of indicting Baba Jobe also tarred The
Gambia with the image-smearing brush. It was great to know government
position on the matter especially where Baba Jobe is a close aide of the
president and govbernment official - an assistant secretary at the office of
the presdient. It also conforms with protocol to communicate to the Security
Council highlighting any displeasure of the state in an international
decision or action it considers dubious and questionable.

France, Britain US were by implicating references, being blamed for the
inclusion of Baba Jobe in Resolution 1343's list. However, we are
constrained to ask what vested interest these powers that incidentally are
among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council have in seeing
Baba Jobe punished. It is very interesting to realise that Baba Jobe has no
connection with these countries in any positive or negative way, which might
have caused them to paint him in damning colours. Although these countries
are yet to react to this allegation, Gambians might not fail to see that the
focus is being unduly shifted from the real issue, which puts pressure on
the government to convince the world that Baba Jobe was an innocent lamb
wronged to the bone. There are a million and one Gambians to pick out as
international transgressors, but why did the whip fall specifically on
Baba's back?

Disappointingly the government's statement was like a blank cartridge used
to counter-accuse the UN Security Council for committing an error and
pursuing a smearing campaign against The Gambia. Asserting that the decision
was unfounded without establishing why Baba Jobe should be disassociated
with blood diamonds and arms trafficking is preposterous ...even laughable.
We would have expected some evidence vouching for Mr. Jobe as a man of
impeccable character to follow this statement. But the suggestion of a
Security Council conspiracy against The Gambia, implied anytime the
government rants in defence of itself, strikes a hollow note in the ears of
all those who know all too well that members of the Security have no
immediate designs or ulterior motives for singling out this poor country
among all the countries of the world. If the world body could be so debased
as to engage in any smear campaign against members states it would have
earmarked states whose political and social situation cause them to be
pariah states on the international scene. The Gambia is neither a pariah nor
an important state, so logically this impression is out of place.

It was also ludicrous to spin around the fact that Baba Jobe's passport
number and birth date was not included, as was the case with some persons of
the list. Baba Jobe's case was not an isolated one. Similarly others being
pinned by Resolution 1343 had their passport numbers and birth dates left
out for unknown reasons.

Dr. Sedat Jobe and the government he serves have more explanation to give
than provide us with a jaundiced statement which does little to restore The
Gambia's dented image but lamely seeks to defend the indefensible Baba Jobe.


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