Folks,
Warm greetings to all.
This piece is just a mere cursory of one the current burning issues in the
Gambia. It is an effort of a concerned mind trying to make sense out of it.
My wish is to humbly request all peace loving and sober people to exercise
caution, restrain and sound judgement in our acts to avoid cruising our
country, a country we all care about and love, to uncivility and anarchy.
Well, the world is gradually limping towards the so-called new millennium,
whether for real or not, for peace or insecurity, for development or
destruction, for good governance or brutality, the euphoria only suggests
that the whole world is in for a fundamental revolution in its consistent
evolution.
The people are getting more and more conscious, informed, aware of their
surroundings and the role they can play in shaping it for their own good,
and integrated in a globalized village, so much so that one people's
unjustified will to slaughter its own people will always become the concern
of all decent living beings on earth. Inevitably, the way we conduct
ourselves will forever be opened to the scrutiny of all. What we do in our
various countries and how we manage our numerous affairs, becomes an issue
for all sundry. Sophistication and maturity will determine the degree of
which we can allow interference. This is the salty reality of the world.
Regardless of which ever country one lives in, people are simply prepared to
dictate what happens to them and how they are ruled. It is hpwever
contingent on how much filth and rubbish we wish to take. This may differ
from people to people in different countries.
So, what is happening in the Gambia? For this particular drama, we have a
situation where a decent and honest citizen, perhaps for harboring
dissenting views, is a victim of thuggery. In the past, it may not have
happened. Yes, there was very little economic and infrastructure
development, but we had a system of governance and tolerance that was the
envy of all. Today, the reverse is brewing up. And the people don't simply
want to sit by and let it happen.
The history and experience of other countries in Africa, and in Asia, tells
us that when parliamentary democracy fails, popular democracy takes root.
The process and method in the transformation can be distasteful at times as
it happened in some countries. We have witnessed the wrench of the MABUTOS,
the ABACHAS, the SUHARTOS, the SUCHINDAS, etc. When dissatisfaction sprouts
amongst the people against their leaders, the end can only be devastation.
This should be wisely avoided. There is always a limit to play with peoples'
sensibilities and sentiments. The average Gambian in the village is very
ignorant about the implications of how he or she utilizes his or her
rightful rights in all aspects. However, this should not be taken for
granted. Gradually, people will demand to be the ultimate referee in
determining what is right and wrong in their games.
The choice is a struggle between building a military and quasi-military
bureaucratic elite and extra-bureaucratic forces. Again, history teaches us
that the see-saw stays in favor of the later, no matter how painful and long
it takes to be there. My appeal is for us to exercise responsibility to
ourselves and to Almighty Allah. When Allah entrusts one to manage the
affairs of his or her fellows, one should be adequately aware of the
enormity of the responsibility; that one will be accountable to time, to
oneself, to the rest, and to Almighty God. What you saw is what you shall
reap.
It will be very unfortunate if unreasonableness is allowed to triumph in our
society over rationality and morality. We should have foresight at least.
Lets ask ourselves few simple question. Where would like to live after, for
instance 10-20yrs, or so? Would you like to have any guilt or pride to live
by people you have encountered some time in the past? We came in this world
crying as babies. It should be the desire of all to leave this world in
fabulous and big smiles. This is crucial.
Long live peace and civility in the Gambia and the entire world. Lets all
work for it and disown those who don't.
Cheers!
Alieu
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