Mawdo Demba, "Angkhaddi" misiku a-wellaani deh"
You are not only mixing coconuts and oranges, you are absolutely dishonest by equating what you call "Dr. Saine's daring to stand up with his friends (the OJs) in the NAAd debacle", whatever that means, to Dr. Janneh's well calculated, personal-ambition-driven move to join a regime that has at the time, repeatedly raped democracy in our motherland, slaughtered babies on the streets of Banjul, many others died
mysteriously, or disappeared, and many more. If what you alleged Dr. Saine did was in fact true, I very proudly say Kudos to him, for that was a perfect democratic process, not a dictatorship, or a blind-dumb loyalty to an individual or ideology. You will recall that Dr. Saine has, in that same time period or thereafter, called on the opposition on a couple of times to throw their fullest support behind Ousainou Darboe to lead the coalition for various reasons that he very well articulated. So there wasn't any such thing as "friends" that Dr. Saine stood up for in the NAAD debacle. He has consistently stood up for one thing, and one thing only, a Gambia free of tyranny and oppression.
Besides, there are fundamental differences between Dr. Saine and Janneh in relation to your citation, which by the way, is shrouded in hypocrisy and blind-dumb allegiance to Dr. Janneh. In Dr. Saine, one will find consistency, honesty, sincerity, content, and above all, bravery and selflessness. A front line soldier who has never been tempted by Jammeh's luxurious cabinate or diplomatic positions. With the tittle in front of his name, I am convinced that it would not take Yaya a day to figure out his capabilities and accomplishments. A click of a button would take care of that. Furthermore, even if Dr. Saine had been called many names as you alleged, you will also agree with me that those critics were not calling him names for switching sides or cross-carpeting over to AFPRC/APRC. The name callers were undoubtedly from other opposition
camps who would have been honored, or in fact have expected him to endorse their choice of candidate at that time(their respective party leaders). Unlike Dr. Janneh, Dr. Saine has never been part of the AFPRC/APRC regime, even though he has probably met Yaya before Dr. Janneh did.
You will further agree with me that Dr. Saine has always been with us in every step of the way, and has never capitulated to pressure, or succumbed to greed or personal ego, to say the least. The review, if anything, has in many ways echoed the sentiments openly and honestly expressed, and debated in
this and other forums, including Gainako, I think.
In conclusion, I want to assure you that Dr. Saine's views on this and many other political issues surrounding The Gambia, are mostly, if not all the time, on solid grounds, such that not you or Janneh ....to borrow a line from brethren Modou Mboge " the enabler", can refute. Therefore, to suggest that Dr. Saine "made a mistake" by standing up for his friends (OJs) is just not supported by a thread of fact. On the conversely, to suggest that Dr. Janneh made a mistake by lobbying and eventually accepting Yaya's appointment does not hold an atom
bit of water. He knew what he was doing ( Mens rea), sought for it and jumped (Actus reus) on it when he was provided with the opportunity. Dream come true, right?
"Beh Kajjum"
Pa. S. Kujabi.
All,
I thought Dr. Saine's review of "Standing Up for Injustice" is very good and balance. It is great to see our Professionals openly review the work of others with critical questions and observations without fear of all the sentiments that may come with it. It shows an open mature
people who can look at issues objectively, opine on it without fear of being attacked. Kudos to Dr. Saine on this and LJD on Papa Faals " A week in hell".
Dr. Janneh's book and decision to work for Jammeh will continue to be a controversy and a lesson for many Gambians. I think the decision should be looked at from a broader perspective in that judging a man/woman by a single incident or decision in their entire life or legacy may be historically inconclusive. History teaches that great contributors to society or must admired have an ugly chapter in their life that they wish never had occurred...
Sir Dawda Jawara one of the most admired and respected in Gambian political history despite his shortcomings stood by Jammeh and continue to stand by him as we speak. There is certainly nothing more dishonorable than standing beside the one person who has insulted you so much, discard you so openly and ruin so much of what you have worked all your life to build. To err is human and am sure most of us would wish that we have not done or said something in our life one time or another.
Dr. Saine himself a brain behind the founding of STGDP and an incredible scholar in our times was called all kinds of names on this forum for daring to stand up with his friends (the OJs) during the NADD debacle. It just goes to show that none of us could have a completely clean slate either in public or private life in the eyes of others.
So again, while I strongly disagree with Dr. Janneh's decision to work for Jammeh, history will judge him and many of us not on a single incident but what we dedicate our lives in fighting for. I admire a man/woman who see injustice, taste injustice and may even render injustice but dedicate part of his/her life to fight to correct that wrong .. History will be the ultimate judge and the jury is still out!
Happy Friday
Demba
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