Swaebou Conateh & Jammeh: Strange Bedfellows, other Issues

By Mathew K. Jallow, Associate Editor

Swaebou Conateh, the doyen of Gambian journalism, a man admired and much respected around the country until now, did something that is as baffling as it is incredible. His nomination of Yahya Jammeh as Gambia’s “Man of the Year,” is clearly an insult to Gambians who are even right now or have in the past suffered at the hands of Yahya Jammeh.My his action, Mr. Conateh is manifesting what appears to be his numbness and insensitivity to the frequent arrests, tortures, and deaths occurring around the country for all these past years. When Time Magazine nominates an individual for the Man of the Year award, it is based on two general criterions: one must have done something positive for mankind, or one whose actions may be historic, but negative to the civilized world. When Osama Bin Laden was nominated two years ago, it drew a firestorm around America until the criterion for his selection was clarified. If Jammeh was nominated based on creating all the negative and destructive news in our country over the past year, then he deserves it. However, it is clear that Jammeh’s nomination is more likely based on “cooked up” accomplishment designed to make Jammeh feel good, reduce Mr. Conateh’s own self-worth and in the end, strengthen Jammeh’s disposition to run the country in any way he chooses. Like everyone else who has expressed contrary position to Mr. Conateh’s actions, I am of the view that Mr. Conateh has permanently done very serious injury to his credibility and respect. While he has the right to nominate who ever he wants as a writer from Sweden reminds us, everyone else also has the right to not permit Mr. Conateh’s disgraceful action to distort and misrepresent the facts of what is happening in The Gambia. I hope our man in Sweden understands and accepts this. Given the kind and gentle personality of the Swaebou Conateh that I know, in contrast to the savagery and animalistic behaviour of Yahya Jammeh, the two make very strange bedfellows.

           One moment Jammeh is moved by emotion rather than by national interest to exclude Nigerians from paying alien residential fees. The next moment it was the Sierra Leoneans who were extended this unilateral benevolence. From issuance of Gambian diplomatic passports to Jammeh’s foreign business associates, and to some of the Cassamance rebel leaders, and the arbitrary salary increases, to the declaration of unofficial holiday for the naming of his son, and the frequent dismissal of elected officials, Yahya Jammeh has consistently contradicted the laws and statutes of our state and municipal governments. No one will argue with the fact that we have reached a point where we now have a one-man government, since Jammeh makes the decisions for everyone and every government agency. Until we can rise up and do something about this unfortunate state of affairs, the worst for us is yet to come. Meanwhile, the Area Council and Municipal elections are round the corner, and although more than fifty percent of those surveyed by Senegambia News supported the opposition’s boycott of the elections, the opposition has not paid heed to the wishes of the general population. As the UNP/NRP Coalition through the court process attempts to undo the Area Council legislation giving powers to Yahya Jammeh to appoint and remove Area and Municipal councilors, it is unclear what other recourse the parties have should Jammeh decide to dismiss their elected officials. The case of Pa Sallah Jeng, who was recently acquitted after nearly two years in court, readily comes to mind to remind the opposition who is the law in the land. Quite frankly, the judiciary does not have the guts and the nerves to oppose or prevent the government’s encroachment into the Area Councils’ authority and jurisdiction. But, by merely contesting the election, the opposition will clearly and inadvertently legitimize Yahya Jammeh’s corrupt and illegal regime.

            Another public party and celebration is in the offing, so soon after the national naming ceremony holiday for Jammeh’s son. But, this time it is the celebration of the one-year anniversary of the “breakthrough cure for HIV/AIDS”, according to the Daily Observer. Jammeh has a cure for HIV/AIDs? Really? Already some businesses are beginning to line up to donate to this forthcoming event. Dr. Pathetic Mbowe the new and first ever appointed Director of Jammeh’s Cure, a trained medical doctor is preying on Jammeh’s empty ego by pretending to believe in Jammeh’s claims, even while he is laughing at him and calling his a “doff”meaning crazy or “ngaka”meaning an ignorant idiot when no one is listening. True to his charlatan character, Yahya Jammeh must find something to celebrate every few weeks, whether it is worth celebrating or not. While we are on the subject of ignorant idiot, just today I was reading about Demba Sanyang of Lamin, the “Paramount Chief of The Gambia” whatever the hell that means. The last time I checked, Mr. Sanyang was a trusted man in Jawara’s household at the State House, but what does this ridiculous position signify? I think I know. His duty is to acquaint himself with what each chief is doing everyday and report his findings to Jammeh. He is essentially the person responsible of ensuring that all chiefs fall in line behind Jammeh and the AFPRC regime. In that way, Demba is nothing but a glorified AFPRC Mobiliser and foot soldier. It is tragic for the independence of municipal councils when coercion and intimidation are being used as tools of governance. What a shame?.

           This week a petition drawing attention to the plight of Fatou Jaw-Manneh hit the online papers and with good reason. After seeing the case develop into a football game among various legal jurisdictions, it became apparently clear that the judiciary was failing in its most important function; to protect citizens from threats to their rights and liberties no matter where the threats emanate from. There is no doubt that the law of the land has failed Fatou Jaw-Manneh, just like all the rest who are languishing in the prison system without the benefit to due process. In the case of Fatou Jaw-Manneh, there are two main elements at work: first is the failure of the judiciary to protect her rights and liberties, and second is the sadistic inclination of Yahya Jammeh to make perceived enemies suffer. Both Fatou Jaw-Manneh and Chief Ebrima Jaw-Manneh are being made examples of as a way to strike terror in the minds of others to deter them from criticizing the regime. It can be recalled that Chief Manneh, a former journalist with the Daily Observer, who has been incarcerated for nearly two years now, was arrested after his name appeared on a list of Freedom Newspaper readers published by the Saja Taal in the Daily Observer. As Fatou Jaw-Manneh awaits the slow grind of the machinery of the callous regime, she is deprived the ability to make a living to support herself and her family. The story here is that this is a regime that prides itself in depriving people of their livelihood. This regime uses vengeance and brutality to settle perceived issues with perceived enemies. What a sorry story?