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Date: Sat, 25 Sep 1999 21:06:32 -0700
From: Aba <[log in to unmask]>
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To: GAMBIA-L <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: GIVE PRESIDENT ALH. YAHYA JAMMEH A CHANCE
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GREETINGS TO ALL OF YOU BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
This message is addressed to those GAMBIAN DETRACTORS, who wander around
the STATUE OF LIBERTY, mouthing words about FREEDOM AND LIBERTY, when
right there in their temporary abode, they are playing a game of hide
and seek with local immigration officials.
They are those who thrive on illegal activities and when unmasked, would
behave as though the whole world owes them a living. They would slander
anyone and libel anyone without compunction. THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA
does not need such zombies. These are people who do not know the history
of THE GAMBIA nor its culture. In all her history, GAMBIA had never
indulged in "LEADERSHIP BASHING". GAMBIANS AS A PEOPLE have existed as
long as any other people under different types of political systems e.g.
slave-owning system, colonialism and now Republicanism.
It is quite obvious that in those days, democracy was unknown in THE
GAMBIA. Under the current system of government, there is in place a
Government of Consultation through the electoral process.
The type of Government GAMBIA has always been identified with before
the advent of colonialism was a government of "CONSULTATION".
YES , traditional Rulers of THE GAMBIA always used the consultative
mechanism in place at that time. They consulted their people through
established social groupings such as Kabilos, Kundas, Kafos etc.
We have had three hundred years of colonialism but only in the
last twenty years of those years did the the word "Election" ever crop
up.
Why, may I ask, the obsession with this democracy hoo-ha?
Should we be conditioned to measure democracy only in terms of the
"electoral process" ?-Surely not.
Democracy first and foremost means access to Education for all and
sundry, Health care, Employment, accessible roads, clean water etc. etc.
Democracy does not mean one simple act of casting a ballot-token to
elect a person as PRESIDENT. Simply put, Democracy For AFRICA
means providing bread for her people. Let me put one simple question to
the detractors of PRESIDENT JAMMEH.
Where was "democracy" when Africans were being sold as slaves?
Where was 'democracy' when Africa was being colonised?
Where was 'democracy' when segregation was institutionalised in
America?
When was democracy born?
It appears that democracy arrived too late for AFRICANS.
Let us not try to settle personal scores through fabrications and
slander against our Leadership. Let us not pull apart the fabric of our
society. Let there be differences of opinions but let us resolve
them amicably.
Those of you who are trying to peddle your intellectual prowesses,
please peddle them in situ amongst yourselves.
I have read somewhere in the internet someone claiming that PRESIDENT
JAMMEH has dismissed more civil servants in five years than PRESIDENT
JAWARA did in 30 years. I have heard or read this claim before and it
does not pay to remain silent when an untruth is uttered.
Such a claim is absolutely incorrect. In the thirty (30) years of
PRESIDENT JAWARA'S REIGN (Yes, he reigned) only two PERMANENT
SECRETARIES retired statutorily- meaning retired at the retirement age
of 55 years. Many were prematurely retired- the rest were literally
hunted out of the civil service.
Let me add that over ten(10) Customs Officers were dismissed in a
single
day in 1992 by PRESIDENT JAWARA'S GOVERNMENT.
Nowadays, when a civil servant is dismissed, he need not fear anything
or anyone as he has all rights to petition PRESIDENT JAMMEH.
A number of officials who were dismissed not long ago have since been
reinstated through an appeal to PRESIDENT JAMMEH.
Some people either have very poor memories or they do not know the
facts.
During the abortive coup of 1981 which nearly toppled PRESIDENT
JAWARA(in fact he was toppled but for SENEGAL he would have ceased to be
PRESIDENT as early as 1981)religious leaders,village headmen,civil
servants,farmers were rounded-up and herded into barracks and detained
for over 18 months. Many were given Kangaroo court trials.
Even schools were used as detention centres. A prominent opposition
Leader Sheriff Mustapha Dibba was falsely indicted and imprisoned for
years.
Where was "democracy" when all these things were happening?
Two mass graves in Banjul bear testimony to PRESIDENT JAWARA'S 1981
greed for power.
Some of you cannot be out there and claim to love THE GAMBIA more than
those who are in the thick of things right here. There are some of you
who do not genuinely know the facts. But there are those who are bent
upon
destroying THE GAMBIA from afar- but GOD WILLING, their plans will
founder.
Whilst the evil man plans, GOD also plans and GOD IS THE BEST
PLANNER.
I am a great admirer of the American people and I salute the
achievements of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. But America has had her
excesses and still does.There is no perfect state in this world.
Some of you should read more- perhaps you may wish to start with the
book on J.EDGAR HOOVER called "THE MAN AND THE SECRETS" by CURT GENTRY.
Perhaps after having read this book ,some of you will stop
bashing at PRESIDENT JAMMEH for a while.
My advice to all those detractors is to rally round AFRICA'S
clarion call for those responsible for the AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE to
cough-up and pay AFRICA FOR THE DAMAGE THEY HAD WROUGHT upon AFRICA AND
AFRICANS.
I say to all you brothers and sisters, please do not
succumb to the brain-washing tactics being employed by AFRICA'S FOES.
I do not care what YAHYA JAMMEH'S detractors might think
of him but I can say one thing about him- that PRESIDENT JAMMEH is a
VERY GOOD MAN.
He loves The Gambia, AFRICA AND AFRICANS. He Loves HUMANITY.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL .
GOOD-BYE
GORR YUMBUL.