To my surprise, in the recent weeks, people were acting like small children who are innocent of what there tomorrow will be or are not yet aware of themselves and there potentials in a society. I think people are just talking of democracy but do not realised what it takes to be democratic. Moreover, people love to criticize other but hate to be criticized or to be ruled against in an open discussion like Gambia l where everyone ought to have the right to disagree or agree without biasness. How can we give good advice in governance to others if we think we are perfect, then at the end of the day proving to the same people our imperfect attitudes. We should look in the mirror sometimes to rediscover ourselves and our motive toward achieving our goals.



What exactly is democracy? We should not identify democracy with majority rule. Democracy has complex demands, which certainly  include voting and respect for election results, then again, it also requires the protection of liberties and freedoms, respect for legal entitlements, and the guaranteeing of free discussion and uncensored distribution of news and fair comment. Even elections can be deeply defective if they occur without the different sides getting an adequate opportunity to present their respective cases, or without the electorate enjoying the freedom to obtain news and to consider the views of the competing protagonists. Democracy is a demanding system, and not just a mechanical condition taken in isolation.

Viewed in this light, the merits of democracy and its claim as a universal value can be related to certain distinct virtues that go with its practice. Indeed, we can distinguish three different ways in which democracy enriches the lives of the citizens. First, political freedom is a part of human freedom in general, and exercising civil and political rights is a crucial part of good lives of individuals as social beings. Political and social participation has high value for human life and well-being. To be prevented from participation in the political life of the community is a major deprivation like it is in this forum whereby people are always jumping into conclusion and accusing each other being an informer, insulting or arguing senselessly.



Secondly, In disputing the claim that democracy is in tension with economic development, democracy has an important instrumental value in enhancing the hearing that people get in expressing and supporting their claims to political attention including claims of economic needs. The practice of democracy gives citizens or organisation an opportunity to learn from one another, and helps society to form its values and priorities. Even the idea of "needs," including the understanding of "economic needs," requires public discussion and exchange of information, views, and analyses. In this sense, democracy has constructive importance, in addition to its value for the lives of the citizens and its instrumental importance in political decisions. The claims of democracy as a universal value have to take note of this diversity of considerations.



The concept and even understanding of what are to count as "needs," including "economic needs," may itself require the exercise of political and civil rights correctly. A proper understanding of what economic needs are, their content, and their force may require discussion and exchange. Political and civil rights, especially those related to the guaranteeing of open discussion, debate, criticism, and etc, are central to the process of generating informed and considered choices.



These processes are crucial to the formation of values and priorities, and we cannot, in general, take preferences as given independently of public discussion, that is, irrespective of whether open interchange and debate are permitted or not. In this context above, neither the government nor the people against them in this forum, are democratic  because the actions cannot be differentiated. Jammeh hate to be criticized, there are lot in this forum, who hate to be criticized, Jammeh is not diplomatic, there are many more in this forum in Jammeh’s shoe, Jammeh is talking about democracy but don’t act democratic, again you will see many outspoken individual like that here.



What we need here is how and what do to achieve viable tool towards better Gambia for the future generation. I am saying or asking how to take Jammeh out of power because we cannot do that while sitting in the Diaspora, what I am saying or pointing out here is the fact that the betterment of tomorrow should be planned from today but instead, we are getting to the throat of each other and obsessing ourselves. Which government will take us seriously? If however, people only notice what they are doing to their struggling, you will seriously change your strategies. This is just a victory to Jammeh and the government seeing people who said they are informing the outside world on the bad governance, fighting each other day in day out. If you are talking about branding, you have to be branded first or be motivated in branding concepts .



However, I respect anyone who will take the risk to help the government in the time of crises for the betterment of the nation such as Dr Janneh and Maffy  Jarju. I will never call them opportunist but true lover of their country and the people who are suffering as the result of mismanagement and corruption of the caretakers. Moreover Janneh do not owe anyone an explaining about Jammeh’s mansion or the death of the school children etc. I am sure, If Jammeh asked some of the speakers here to come home for an appointment, they will not hesitate because success is what everyone is aiming at, it is simply human nature,. then again, we hate to see the success of the other is also human nature.However, the people who were critical to the government should be put into a test as it is with Dr Janneh. Have a good day,

Edi



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