Burama, please allow me to poke my nose into this discussion and see if I can provide answers to your questions of “How do we take out Yahya?” and “how do we make Gambia a functioning institutional democracy”, that so far seem not to garner the right answer or one that satisfies you.

I have been following your inputs in our advocacy and struggle for sanity in Banjul and I will confess that am always in awe at the high level stamina that you exhibit in dealing with these difficult issues. I salute you for that.

Considering your exchanges with Demba and LJD on this same topic, do you mind outlining in bullet points what steps or need to be done in order remove Yaya from office and also institutionalize democracy in the Gambia. I am asking this so as to help us be very clear at what we talking about so as t6o be able to contrast it with other options like united opposition front that LJ is banking on.

You have talked about the importance of garnering leverage in order to be able to force Yaya into loosening his grip on power and allow reform or something like. All that I just like others here, believe that only a combined opposition force can achieve that.

Your other argument dismissing the route to change through elections because Yaya being a referee – the IEC, and at the same time a player always leaves wondering what then are you calling for especially when you exclude violence.

Thank you for your attention.

Nyang

On Tuesday, February 25, 2014 6:49 AM, Burama Jammeh <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Compatriots

Burama made public he’s too cowardly to demonstrate or confront Yahya in the streets of Banjul. Somewhere in the write-up below my colleague, Demba Baldeh also said he wouldn’t do it.

This in itself is not material for anything except to say I and Demba cannot expect and/or demand of our citizens to confront Yahya as a solution.

What’s important though - How do we take out Yahya? Or if I may broaden that question - how do we make Gambia a functioning institutional democracy? We’re not going to fight him! Elections at this stage is not going to do it!

Please simply be practical with your answer. It don’t have to subscribe to it but let it be practical.

Burama

On Feb 25, 2014, at 1:50 AM, Demba Baldeh <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Burama,

Those who believe in justice fights to see justice happen, they advocate for justice and they put every effort into it and fight for what they believe... My mental framework, plan and pledge for the rest of my life is to fight any leader who has the oppressive mentality of Yahya Jammeh in anyway I can from near or afar. Man proposes God disposes... When you embark on a journey that you believe only Allah knows how much you will achieve and when. If I can fight and save or make a difference in one person's life I take pleasure in that... I do not claim to have the means or the power to remove Jammeh from power, neither do anyone individual among us that I know..

What we can pledge as human brings and as Gambians is to advocate for what is right and stand up against what is unjust regardless of who is there... If I were on the ground today I would be fighting the same fight I am fighting now regardless of the consequences... So personally whether Yahya goes tomorrow or stays for another decade my conviction and moral stand against injustice will not be shaken...

Regardless of which leader comes to power I pledge to fight for what is right... Would I succeed, Would I fail, would I make a difference, it doesn't matter to me.. what matters is I do my part every single day to make my family, our country, our communities we live a better place that is what I have control over and that is what I dedicate my life to. What I will do tomorrow if change happens in Gambia or bring change in Gambia will not be any different from what I believe and doing today... I shall stand up, speak up and fight for what I believe... I will never call on anyone to demonstrate or pick up arms or go home to fight Jammeh... I do my part and it is everyone's responsibility to do their part...I question our moral obligation to each other and to our country... I hope that gives you an insight as to how I approach the fight for liberty and dignity in Gambia and anywhere else! When I speak to friends about this struggle some thing I take it too seriously..And I honestly do! For me is a life and dead situation.. Those who were matching for civil rights and political freedom in the United States and around the world believed in something, stood up for something and fought for something that they believe one day will make a difference whether the short or the long term..whether it happens in their life time or not... that is our moral duty and my mentality... There is no turning back for me immediate results or not!

Good night

Demba

On Mon, Feb 24, 2014 at 6:23 PM, Burama Jammeh <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Demba

How will Yahya go and who will take him down? What will Demba do?

Am not against Yahya going! Am a 100% member of this struggle regardless to my reservation of some positions. Yet I don’t by empty hope and rhetorics.

I also have serious concerns over people hoping for things they will not even come close to it.For instance hoping Tunisia, Egypt, Venezuela and/or Ukraine type revolt will happen in Gambia but that person sitting in UK/USA or some afar.

I stated clearly in my writing that I will not fight except in self-defense. Hence I neither expect any Gambian to fight nor would I demand or hope they will. Instead I strongly believe we can craft a political program that will institute democracy but more importantly dictated by the will of citizens. Call me a skeptic…..if my views sound so!

These are uncomfortable truths but important to challenge one and another in this struggle if we hope to get a practical political solution.

I do not intend to challenge your hopes and/or what you know that I don’t………but I see no effect of such hopes on Yahya's reign as I write.

Yet if the hope of he dying and/or dethroning Yahya comes to be tonight, I don’t think is a solution but I will take it and prepare for the next phase of the struggle.

Regards.

Burama

On Feb 24, 2014, at 8:44 PM, Demba Baldeh <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Well, Burama with all respect it appears you are the one slicing and dicing statements out there. It appears you are the one who is referencing those who are saying "Jammeh is the only problem" that "Jammeh will die soon" Burama these are not substantive arguments they are Red meat for the enemy... Most people who understand what it takes for battle such a strong will not peddle such sentiments... These are some of the things that reduces our struggle into sound bites. I would definitely people who have some level of policy understanding, national and international politics should be able to look beyond the sentiments....

My only optimism in change for Gambia is inherited in my personality as an optimist and one that strongly believes that Yahya will go exactly the way he came to power - when we least expect it... the man is squeezed within his own circles and the more dictators think they have firm grip on power the more they are actually losing control... You can call me an overly optimistic person but I know Jammeh has over lived his mandate...

Hope you and I will have more time to discuss this...

regards

Demba

On Mon, Feb 24, 2014 at 5:15 PM, Burama Jammeh <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Demba

Thanks again!

What will be your personal act in a revolt in Gambia? I hope you are ready to go and lead/direct the frontline than hoping some other Gambian will do that. That was the point am making.

I don't know what will happen even the next minute but am not sitting on empty hope. Equally am not counting on any Fambian doing what I couldn't ordinarily do. It appears I have picked the easier side and hoping others will pick up the harder/deadly side of the struggle. I understand clearly these are uncomfortable truth but must be said if a practical solution has to be achieve.

That's doesn't mean I do not recognize the efforts and wants of others. However there is little concrete action beyond the fogs of rhetoric that will earn us the desired goals.

I have recently seen some counting on the death of Yahya from a supposed illness. They're more optimistic than me to say the least.

I appreciate your overly optimism. Maybe you know something that I don't. Slicing and dicing each word or sentences of mind wouldn't help the cause. Focus on the subject of my argument.

Regards

Burama

On Monday, February 24, 2014, Demba Baldeh <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hah Burama, you just said "I will be in USA waiting for the replica or Ukraine or Egypt type revolve in Gambia" and then you concluded "Let's do it!" I will again say Never say Never.... in fact by insinuating that it is not doable you tend to discourage those who think it is indeed doable.. There is a Chinese proverb that says “Those that say it can't be done should get out of the way of those doing it” just food for thought... I would also add sometimes we need to expect the unexpected!

Gambia! change will come when we least expect it....

Demba

On Sun, Feb 23, 2014 at 4:30 PM, Burama Jammeh <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Mr. Darbo

I will be in USA waiting for the replica or Ukraine or Egypt type revolve in Gambia.

Let's do it. Am sure many will believe am not for Yahya. So if we can take him down am all for it.

Notwithstanding I have practical issues with solutions I wouldn't readily participate buy hope others to do for supposed common good.

Let's do it! In as much as I have my reservations I belong to the struggle.

Burama

On Sunday, February 23, 2014, Lamin Darbo <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Burama

In this day and age, I don't recognise any fundamental differences between Gambia and other societies regarding the political issues of freedom and dignity. In other words, there is nothing unique to the Ukranian political conflict that is not replicable in The Gambia. The world is a very connected community and Gambians are very versed in events occurring in other parts of the world.

Pretensions notwithstanding, we are also very aware of the lack of freedom and dignity in Gambia. Just last week, the Professor "retired" his national women mobiliser and deputy "with immediate effect". In the past, those same women would look at that kind of scenario happening to others and dismissing it as inconsequential. Today it is them, and no matter how disillusioned by the development, they would pledge absolute loyalty to their tormentor. Can there be any truth in this type of reaction to such a seismic event in their personal lives?

If I am to analyse our situation, I'd say the Professor will never listen to your position because he may think you are lulling him to sleep by giving him false comfort. Why do you think the Professor's is relentless in showcasing and perfecting his terror machine? He knows Ukraine is a possibility in The Gambia and there is no way his government can survive that kind of situation. As long as he is able, he will take no chances!

I agree with your thoughts on the referee and elections, but I suggest to you that elections, arguably insignificant in themselves, are a potent formula to usher in change in our country provided our political leaders are amenable to doing a deal on a rock solid united front. A significantly fragmented effort will never do it.

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