Alieu Jammeh,

I also join Dr Saine, Sidi and others in congratulating you and wishing you
success in your future endeavours. I read the "abstract of your thesis" and
it suggests an interesting thesis.

Someone I know, Max Bankole Jarrett, one of the presenters of the BBC's
Network Africa programme, did a similar thesis as yours, a few years ago,
but his was submitted for an M.PHIL, not MA, if I remember well.

With your permission, I could forward the "abstract" to him and I am sure he
too would want to read it, and also the whole thesis if or when available,
since he himself is from Liberia.

Max, I must say, is well read, and although Liberia has produced countless
scholars, I for one consider him a leading specialist in Liberian Affairs.

By the way, a ground-breaking book "Mercenaries: An African Security
Dilemma" on the impact of private military companies on the security
situation in Africa, has just been published by Pluto Press.

Edited by Drs Abdel-Fatau Musah and J'Kayode Fayemi, both officials of the
London based Centre for Democracy and Development, the book examines
mercenary involvement in post-Cold conflicts.

I have just finished reading it, and I must say that it is a very relevant
contribution to conflict management in Africa. It is book worth reading. The
volumes examines the connections between African conflicts, the extraction
of minerals, and the use of private military companies. The countries
discussed include Sierra Leone, Zaire, Angola, Uganda and Congo
(Brazzaville).

And what is fascinating about the book is that it has brought together an
international array of contributors - some arguing in favour of military
companies/mercenaries on the African Continent, while others spoke against
it.

But in spite of their differences in opinions, all of them are united in the
view that "an understanding of this issue is critical for successful
peaceful conflict transformation in a region suffused with sectarian and
resource-driven conflicts."

To order the book, you can contact Pluto Press via e-mail:
[log in to unmask]

But I wish the price was cheaper!!! My copy, which is a hard cover, is
priced at £45 pounds. The price for the lighter cover, I believe, is £15.99.

And before I forget, I must mention to you (Gambia L) that a Gambian student
in Birmingham told me the other day, that I should visit the BBC Africa &
Middle East Web Page and read the Profile of Hassan Arouni, who is also a
Presenter of Network Africa.

But frankly, I was laughing that whole afternoon when I read what Hassan
said. He was asked, among other things, to name his favourite country for
vacation and he replied: "The Gambia". Anyway, that didn't surprise me at
all because I already knew he loves The Gambia.

Now further asked to name his favourite politician and he answered: "Yahya
Jammeh." He also gave his reason(s) for choosing Mr Jammeh.
Anyway, Gambia L, why not check
http://www.bbc.net.uk/worldservice/networkafrica/hassanarouni.htm and read
what Hassan Arouni said.

Hassan, by the way, is not only a friend but a genuine and kind hearted
brother also; however, I never knew he admired Yahya Jammeh, of all people,
as a leader. But then it's been a while since I last saw him. And needless
to say, Hassan is entitled to his opinion.

Ebrima Ceesay

PS: Omar Drammeh, I am glad that you did meet my cousin Alagi Taala. By the
way, your team, Chelsea, play Newcastle United tomorrow, in the other semi
final of the prestigious FA Cup. Will you clinch the FA cup this year?
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