Gambia-L:
Those of us in the UK held a very successful demonstration this afternoon at
the Gambia High Commission in London, and one thing was very clear to me:
The events of 10 April as tragic and as unfortunate as they were, have in
fact created a new unifying force in our community.
Since I came to the UK - over 3 year now – this was the first time I saw
Gambians of all denominations and viewpoints being so mobilised and this
determined to end oppression in their country.
May be, we should thank Jammeh and his forces of evil for having created
this situation of unity for Gambians, especially those of us in the
Diaspora.
Jammeh did do his opponents one favour when he ordered the massacre of those
students on the 10 April: He brought the truth to the fore – that the Gambia
of today is one massive cauldron of injustice and tyranny. But Mr Jammeh
should be reminded that history has taught us that no country – no matter
how powerful – can thrive on a foundation of injustice and repression.
Anyway, having said that, I have to say that this time around, I for one
have never seen this determination and mobilisation on the part of the
Gambians – both at home and abroad – to liberate themselves and their
country from Mr Jammeh’s dictatorship.
Despite our differences, Gambians are coming together more closely –
especially following the events of 10 April – to find effective ways and
means of unseating Mr Jammeh. And by the way, I have to commend the good
spirit that has prevailed among Gambians, including Gambians on L, since the
tragic events of 10 April.
The signs are really encouraging. Yes, there is hope for the Gambia because
Gambians have been in deprivation for a long time and they now see from
their experience that their salvation actually lies in their determination
to free themselves from Jammeh’s authoritarianism.
Believe me, the days of dictatorship in Africa are numbered and it is
encouraging to observe that all over the Continent people are becoming more
determined than before to defeat tyrants. Some one once asked: “how can we
liberate ourselves from the imperialists, only to fall into the clutches of
greedy and unscrupulous autocrats?” Good question! Africans certainly
deserve better.
Anyway, coming closer home as they say I think we should try and maintain
the momentum generated, regardless of our differences, so that we can
succeed in uprooting Mr Jammeh and his despotic regime once and for all!
Let us show Jammeh that no one can defy people power. It happened to Marcos.
Caecescu too. You see, history continues to repeat itself because people
refuse to learn. Interestingly, one of the major principles of Political
Science is that although force is a central element in political systems, it
cannot on its own sustain a polity.
In fact, it was J.J Rousseau who wrote in 1966 that even the strongest is
never strong enough to remain the master unless he is capable of
transforming force into law and obedience into duty. Tyranny and
authoritarianism therefore can never be forever. In fact, we are now at a
turning point in world history when despots have clearly lost the plot. So,
sooner or later, Jammeh will come knocking at the gate, demanding to be let
in. We will catch him!
Having suffered all sorts of atrocities for so long, the Gambian people are
now more determined than before to free themselves from this daily
repression. No wonder they say that in every bad thing/situation there is
something good that normally comes out of it. The tragic events of 10 April
were most unfortunate and regrettable, but the positive thing is that they
have in fact created a new unifying force in our community – a force that
could succeed in unseating Mr Jammeh at long last.
Take Niger as an example: The “Black Friday” massacre of students on 9
February 1990, when at least 13 students were killed in a desperate attempt
by the State to silence demands for popular participation, did in fact lead
paradoxically to heightening of demands for a democratisation of the
society. In other words, civil society was actually born in Niger after
these killings!
The State (in Niger) was forced to accept multi-partysm and the convocation
of a National Conference which took place from July to October 1991,
following the killings of the students on 9 February 1990.
So, my bothers and sisters, let us keep the pressure on Mr Jammeh. He has to
go because his rule has only constricted the democratic space, entrenched
authoritarianism and nurtured militarism, period! And believe me, if this
kind of despotic rule is allowed to continue, then take it from me that the
continued existence of the Gambia as a country would be under serious
threat.
Our challenge therefore is to try and bring – as soon as possible – a
permanent end to the undemocratic rule in the Gambia and replace it with
positive and progressive change. I know I am repeating myself but we need to
work out a realistic framework for action and pursue a concrete agenda for
the restoration of genuine democratisation in the Gambia.
When next time comes we need a positive change in our country; a change that
can bring about a permanent end to tyranny; facilitate democratisation and
demilitarisation of our society; and institutionalise credible and
accountable civilian democratic modes of governance.
However, in order to achieve this sort of positive change, it is imperative,
in my view, that all the opponents of Mr Jammeh, especially the political
forces, (try and) form a tactical alliance/coalition. In my view, it is only
through such an alliance that we can succeed in defeating Jammeh quickly and
decisively for that matter.
Therefore, the task of building an effective alliance/coalition, especially
as the election approaches, is an urgent one, and the sooner it is done, the
better. There is urgent need to explore strategies and tactics of bringing
this about.
And before I forget, I have to concur with Ebou Colley when he said some
time ago that Jammeh’s speech to the Gambian Nation after the events of 10
April, must have been written by one of his “intellectual prostitutes”, to
borrow the phrase used by Dr George Ayittey to describe them in his book
“Africa In Chaos.”
Frankly, knowing the gross stupidity in Mr Jammeh’s head, I too can bet that
that speech was authored by one of his “intellectual prostitutes”. But
understandably, a monster like Jammeh would definitely need these
“intellectual prostitutes” to provide him with the necessary explanation for
the consolidation of his tyranny.
He is simply following the footsteps of despots such as Idi Amin, Bokassa,
Mobuto, Nguema, Samuel Doe and others who had also secured the backing of
these “intellectual prostitutes” to consolidate their repressive regimes.
Frankly, I have to say at this point that what is happening in most African
countries – as unfortunate as it is – is in part our own doing. Monsters
like Jammeh have been created by some of us, period.
In Africa, we have this tendency of hailing whoever comes to us new. We are
so fascinated with whatever is new. When we hear a name on the radio,
without even knowing him and what he has come to do, we go out on the
streets and jubilate.
Anyway, I hope we have all learnt the lesson – in the wake of Jammeh’s five
years misrule – that not any change is a change for good. Finally, I say it
is about time we had a leader with integrity. We need a leader who would
teach by example; a leader who respects those he leads and one who is ready
to sacrifice for the people; a leader who is selfless, people oriented and
who can instil ethical values moral in people.
It is good to get power, but power is only good if it is used as a resource
to change the lives of our people for better.
Ebrima Ceesay
PS: Gambia-L, I have to say that our demonstration was a success and the
turnout was really good. We submitted our petitions (3 in all) to the Gambia
High Commissioner in London; a representative of the Commonwealth Secretary
General; and an official of the British Foreign Office’s Africa Department.
At the British Foreign Office, James Bahoum expressed our collective
concerns, among other things, over the butchering of 14 Gambian students by
the Jammeh thugs, after which I also spoke calling, among other thing, for
the arrest and trial of Jammeh whenever he leaves office.
Anyway, I am still in London, but I’ll do a report on the demonstration when
I get back to Birmingham on Thursday. I also intend to post the content of
our three petitions to the L. By the way, Dave Manneh, you can also post the
petitions to the L if you have time.
Hamjatta Kanteh: Dave Manneh and I were looking forward to seeing you, but
we did not see you. Your absence was noticeable, because the Gambia-L
members present were keen to meet you and myself in particular.
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