Kebba, I entirely agree with the sentiments you expressed regarding the upcoming elections. The government has a two pronged strategy to make their scheme of stealing the elections work. First they foolishly think they can avoid complying with requirements they undertook albeit under pressure from the UN, the EU, the commonwealth, the governments of the US and U.K by proffering promises they don't intend to fulfill. Not a single condition outlined by each of these entities have been met by the government of Yahya Jammeh. As of this writing, not a single one of them agrees that the conditions for a free and fair poll are in place, which is a direct prelude to not recognizing the elections valid if and when they are held. This is why you have not yet seen any repeal of the odious decrees, no access to GRTS or even a morticum of responsible journalism on their part, an end to using the security services to perpetrate cruelty and barbarism on innocent people or using state resources as a charity spigot. I also know that a last minute announcement of compliance especially if it is close to the poll date would definitely tantamount to the same refusal to recognize. So this tyrannical government can delude itself that they can outmaneuver all that are interested in the well being of the Gambia who will settle for nothing less than a thoroughly free and fair elections in which every one of our citizens would exercise all of their rights unencumbered. It is not going to happen. The second part of their strategy is to cynically exploit the hunger and poverty that an atrophied and inflation laden-economy has created for our people by putting millions of dalasis in government vehicles with their so-called 'council of elders ' acting as primary accessories to bribery and canvassing the nation. They are convinced a combination of dishing out ill-gotten money and intimidation would be sufficient to let them squeak through a victory. That strategy assumes two things. First the majority of Gambians just don't understand the extent of the difficulties they are facing and why. Second it assumes that fear of state-sponsored violence still has the same level of potency in it's impact on ordinary people as it did 1996. I personally don't know of any individual who does not view the issues of this coming October as being existential in nature warranting the utmost sacrifice. The people would stand up to the bitter end and if Yahya Jammeh thinks Gambians would forfeit their nation to a thirtysomething year-old murderer and thief, he must also be a lunatic. He can do all he believes would perpetuate him including leaning on the judiciary to bottle up important constitutional matters currently being litigated despite their urgency, refuse to allow all Gambians full rights of participation, continue to lye to every government or organization and increase repression. None of that would forestall the necessary change our people have resolved to make in October. Karamba ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------