Gambia-L members, A&E just aired this series of documentaries called Absolute Power. Idi Amin was the featured documentary yesterday. We all know the legacy of the brutal Amin but very rarely do we get the whole story of his rapid rise to power from his days as an ill educated underling in the army to a general who did Obote's dirty work, and, finally, to the crazy, brutal, power drunk but charismatic Alhaji DR Field Marshall Idi Amin Dadda at his full prime. One thing that struck me in particular was how this man's life mirrored the sequence of events our present leader's progression of power. Granted, The Gambia is a much smaller country than Uganda. Therefore, when a comparison is made, events have to be viewed in relative terms. When Amin finally turned on his equally vicious master, everyone, including the British, agreed that this ill educated man was woefully unfit to lead an army not to talk about a whole state. But everyone, especially the Ugandans, welcomed the change as a breath of fresh air. A change from the incompetent administration that was Obote's. He spouted the basic rhetoric that the average impoverished Ugandan wanted to hear. He promised new schools, new roads, new hospitals, better and more competent administration of facilities for Ugandans as whole. Furthermore, Amin had a foolishness and clumsiness to his personality that tended to mask his vicious ways. He would occasionally go into the country side and dance around and threaten horrified white diplomats, who would cringe in horror, with spears. His interviews were funny and filled with contradictions and weird statements that somehow seemed funny. This, much to the amusement of Ugandans, Africans and the rest of the World. He was seen as a harmless, funny, semi-illiterate African leader, not too bright, but essentially a toothless lion. Sadly, this was far from the truth. He launched a campaign of terror against his own people right from the start. Silently eliminating his political rivals and those that spoke out against him. It was a silent campaign of terror. People were disappearing but no one knew what was going on because his initial campaign was so effective. And, of course, the harmless joker couldn't be behind this? No way! Then he bit the hand that fed him in England. He kicked out half a million Indians who ran the economy in Uganda. Then, in a puzzling about face, turned around and asked the British for arms. The Brits, not ones that were used to humiliation, especially from a buffoon for a president in Africa, rejected his request. Amin found an unlikely bed fellow in Khaddafi. He embraced Islam, supported the Mideast cause and became an Alhaji because of his fear of isolation. In a short while, he managed to run the economy into the ground. But because he was surrounded by yes men, who said what he wanted to hear, his position was quite secure. This coupled with his propensity for carrying out ominous threats, it was extremely difficult to oust him. He made the mistake of tangling with the Israelis plus made the more horrific error of killing a Roman Catholic Bishop. The eyes of the World were finally opened to the terrible atrocities in Uganda. Even then, it took the brave Nyerere, RIP. to oust him. Disgraced, he flew away in a battered helicopter seconds away from imminent capture. Fast forward, to 1996. A semi illiterate army Corporal, in a half bungled ridiculous demonstration by the army against unpaid wages that somehow turned into a coup d'etat, overthrows the waning incompetent Jawara regime. Initiall y, the Corporal is hailed by the people of The Gambia as a savior from incredible poverty and a terrible infrastructure that was the trademark of the country. Again, he is considered a fresh breath of air, a welcome change. Most but all are fooled by his populist rhetoric. We live in a different time but the false promises are still the same. New schools, new roads, new hospitals, a more competent administration. The Gambia to and for Gambians ! Our new leader, cum savior, like Amin, has this incredibly silly demeanor. A foolish deceiving, ear to ear smile and is manner of speech is almost comical and almost child like. He also travels to the countryside, where the majority of the population lives, and relates on a basic level with the citizens out there. In the process, stressing his humble beginnings and his Foni ancestry. These qualities, different from the stiff polished way of the Western educated Sir Dawda Jawara, help to enamor him with the locals, especially those in the provinces. However, while this wonderful romancing of the people was going on, carnage, given on a smaller but relatively equal level to that of Amin's, was being carried out. Let's see: Massacres and mass burials in barracks in Bakau, Yundum and Farafenni. Political opponents were imprisoned, sometimes killed with no due process. Untold amounts of people, particularly in the military, disappeared with no word to the poor others and fathers who had worked so hard to save up their well earned Bututs and Dalasis to put their children true school then the army. Untold amounts of brothers are still unaccounted for. Our still beloved leader, also managed to insult the West through his bungled and aimless speeches that appealed to the average anti-colonialist, a trait that we understandably still have. He thought this was funny but "they" were taking note, again not liking the humiliation. And, again, understandably spurned by those he insulted, he fturned to Amin's old friend, Mummar Khaddafi. He takes up his "Kuros", turban, Boubou, institutes a fake fundamentalist Imam in a fake state house mosque, and hides behind the cloak of Islam. A perfect masquerade to hide behind to woo these people of God. Meanwhile, the killing and abductions continue. He is surrounded by yes men and is not afraid to carry out or spout threats on television that s run by one of his equaly incompetent sidekicks. Soo, likeAmin, he is difficult to remove. Nevertheless, this fake sultan is on the verge of being disrobed and made naked. He is reponsible for the murder of over 20 school children. Foday Makalo was killed and buried somewhere in the bush. Where is Dumo Saho? Has anyone, including his wife, seen him yet? Eerie feelings, perhaps a sense that they are covering something that went horribly wrong with that abduction? The similarities are scary. Amin was a foolish, cowardly, ugly, and wicked ogre that lives as buffoon cum celebrity in Saudi Arabia, the supposed holy land. I would hate to compare any human being to him but the evidence speaks for itself. You decide! Cheers ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------