This is the most reactionary analysis I have ever read anywhere. During slavery and during colonialism Africans waged all forms of struggle to free themselves from bondage and the independence that we have today is for the most part owed to those heroic struggles waged by our ancestors and therefore our freedom must not be taken for granted.
When Kunta Kinteh resisted to be called by his slave name Toby, and had to undergo torture from his kidnappers, he only answered to that name in the end in order to stop the whips that had torn his body so that he could live on to fight another day.
When he made several attempts to escape from his kidnappers and had to undergo a series of tortures, again from the whip, it did not stop him trying again and again until kidnappers had to finally amputate his toes, but that did not stop him either!
The Amistad Mutiny of 1839 was a revolt for self-determination, justice and freedom. There were others like Nat Turner, who led mutinies against their kidnappers using all means necessary, to free themselves from slavery!
The independence of most African Nations did not come on a silver platter either. The independence of Zimbabwe, Angola, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, South Africa, to name but a few, were won on the battle field of those countries where glorious sons and daughters of Africa spilled their blood so that those who follow could live under democratic rule!
Yes, where was democracy then? the author asked. I say worthy sons and daughters of Africa were fighting for it and worthy sons and daughters of Africa are still fighting for genuine democracy and shall not give up until final victory.
The Struggle Continues!
Kabir.
----- Original Message -----
From: Aba <[log in to unmask]>
To: GAMBIA-L <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: 26. september 1999 06:06
Subject: GIVE PRESIDENT ALH. YAHYA JAMMEH A CHANCE
> GREETINGS TO ALL OF YOU BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
> This message is addressed to those GAMBIAN DETRACTORS, who wander around
> the STATUE OF LIBERTY, mouthing words about FREEDOM AND LIBERTY, when
> right there in their temporary abode, they are playing a game of hide
> and seek with local immigration officials.
> They are those who thrive on illegal activities and when unmasked, would
>
> behave as though the whole world owes them a living. They would slander
> anyone and libel anyone without compunction. THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA
> does not need such zombies. These are people who do not know the history
> of THE GAMBIA nor its culture. In all her history, GAMBIA had never
> indulged in "LEADERSHIP BASHING". GAMBIANS AS A PEOPLE have existed as
> long as any other people under different types of political systems e.g.
> slave-owning system, colonialism and now Republicanism.
> It is quite obvious that in those days, democracy was unknown in THE
> GAMBIA. Under the current system of government, there is in place a
> Government of Consultation through the electoral process.
> The type of Government GAMBIA has always been identified with before
> the advent of colonialism was a government of "CONSULTATION".
> YES , traditional Rulers of THE GAMBIA always used the consultative
> mechanism in place at that time. They consulted their people through
> established social groupings such as Kabilos, Kundas, Kafos etc.
> We have had three hundred years of colonialism but only in the
> last twenty years of those years did the the word "Election" ever crop
> up.
> Why, may I ask, the obsession with this democracy hoo-ha?
> Should we be conditioned to measure democracy only in terms of the
> "electoral process" ?-Surely not.
> Democracy first and foremost means access to Education for all and
> sundry, Health care, Employment, accessible roads, clean water etc. etc.
>
> Democracy does not mean one simple act of casting a ballot-token to
> elect a person as PRESIDENT. Simply put, Democracy For AFRICA
> means providing bread for her people. Let me put one simple question to
> the detractors of PRESIDENT JAMMEH.
> Where was "democracy" when Africans were being sold as slaves?
> Where was 'democracy' when Africa was being colonised?
> Where was 'democracy' when segregation was institutionalised in
> America?
> When was democracy born?
> It appears that democracy arrived too late for AFRICANS.
> Let us not try to settle personal scores through fabrications and
> slander against our Leadership. Let us not pull apart the fabric of our
> society. Let there be differences of opinions but let us resolve
> them amicably.
> Those of you who are trying to peddle your intellectual prowesses,
> please peddle them in situ amongst yourselves.
> I have read somewhere in the internet someone claiming that PRESIDENT
> JAMMEH has dismissed more civil servants in five years than PRESIDENT
> JAWARA did in 30 years. I have heard or read this claim before and it
> does not pay to remain silent when an untruth is uttered.
> Such a claim is absolutely incorrect. In the thirty (30) years of
> PRESIDENT JAWARA'S REIGN (Yes, he reigned) only two PERMANENT
> SECRETARIES retired statutorily- meaning retired at the retirement age
> of 55 years. Many were prematurely retired- the rest were literally
> hunted out of the civil service.
> Let me add that over ten(10) Customs Officers were dismissed in a
> single
> day in 1992 by PRESIDENT JAWARA'S GOVERNMENT.
> Nowadays, when a civil servant is dismissed, he need not fear anything
> or anyone as he has all rights to petition PRESIDENT JAMMEH.
> A number of officials who were dismissed not long ago have since been
> reinstated through an appeal to PRESIDENT JAMMEH.
> Some people either have very poor memories or they do not know the
> facts.
> During the abortive coup of 1981 which nearly toppled PRESIDENT
> JAWARA(in fact he was toppled but for SENEGAL he would have ceased to be
>
> PRESIDENT as early as 1981)religious leaders,village headmen,civil
> servants,farmers were rounded-up and herded into barracks and detained
> for over 18 months. Many were given Kangaroo court trials.
> Even schools were used as detention centres. A prominent opposition
> Leader Sheriff Mustapha Dibba was falsely indicted and imprisoned for
> years.
> Where was "democracy" when all these things were happening?
> Two mass graves in Banjul bear testimony to PRESIDENT JAWARA'S 1981
> greed for power.
> Some of you cannot be out there and claim to love THE GAMBIA more than
>
> those who are in the thick of things right here. There are some of you
> who do not genuinely know the facts. But there are those who are bent
> upon
> destroying THE GAMBIA from afar- but GOD WILLING, their plans will
> founder.
> Whilst the evil man plans, GOD also plans and GOD IS THE BEST
> PLANNER.
> I am a great admirer of the American people and I salute the
> achievements of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. But America has had her
> excesses and still does.There is no perfect state in this world.
> Some of you should read more- perhaps you may wish to start with the
>
> book on J.EDGAR HOOVER called "THE MAN AND THE SECRETS" by CURT GENTRY.
> Perhaps after having read this book ,some of you will stop
> bashing at PRESIDENT JAMMEH for a while.
> My advice to all those detractors is to rally round AFRICA'S
> clarion call for those responsible for the AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE to
> cough-up and pay AFRICA FOR THE DAMAGE THEY HAD WROUGHT upon AFRICA AND
> AFRICANS.
> I say to all you brothers and sisters, please do not
> succumb to the brain-washing tactics being employed by AFRICA'S FOES.
> I do not care what YAHYA JAMMEH'S detractors might think
>
> of him but I can say one thing about him- that PRESIDENT JAMMEH is a
> VERY GOOD MAN.
> He loves The Gambia, AFRICA AND AFRICANS. He Loves HUMANITY.
> MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL .
>
> GOOD-BYE
> GORR YUMBUL.
>
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