Still
reeling from the shock of the events of yesterday and today, I cannot but wonder
about the future of our country. The Gambia's standing as a bastion of peace and
stability was shattered some five years ago and the latest events are but a
continuation of a series of awakening events that will culminate in a
climax. I do not know what that climax will be but one thing I am certain about
is that the implications of the brutal killing of these helpless civilians are a
long way from being over.
Just
as Jawara created Yaya Jammeh, Yaya Jammeh has created hundreds if not thousands
of replicas of himself. These students who have seen their colleagues
killed in cold blood have been forever robbed of their innocence and the
result of their vengeance might lead to Yaya's downfall or their
radicalisation beyond recognition. The result of this radicalisation, if not
felt now, will be felt in the future.
Ebrima Barry is perhaps the catalyst for change and
his death will not be in vain. With elections just a year away I can almost
prophecy that the killing and carnage of the past days will be a significant
determinant of the results. The government has just isolated the group that has
been a major force behind it since it took power. Most, if not all of these
students, might not be eligible to vote but they have influence over their
illiterate relatives. The relatives of these students who are eligible to vote
will remember the events of the past days come 2001.
If
such events continue and the country plunges towards instability, I predict that
someone somewhere in the Armed Forces will attempt to take over. Whether this
takeover will be bloodless will be seen as the attempts since 1994 have seen The
Gambia’s innocence shattered bit by bit. One thing is certain though: The Gambia
has forever lost her innocence. Thanks.
Buharry.