Sir Jackal is Not a Soldier of Fortune; He’s For Real

BY TIJAN NIMAGA. Bronx New York

Reading The Gambia Echo’s exclusive interview on Sergeant Alhagie Cham Joof’s (Sir Jackal’s) triumphant and long journey to freedom, the whole situation and the real life struggle he went through, from the very moment of the Military attack at Kartong, quickly reminded me of two classic Hollywood movies .One, is THE GREAT ESCAPE, a 1963 Hollywood classic movie based on a several hundred Allied POWs’ plan on a mass escape from a German POW camp. But the difference between Sir Jackal and those POWs is, his ability to escape successfully while the Great Escape POWs were either executed or recaptured shortly after escaping. However, the bicycle rides also reminiscent of STEVE McQueen one of the main characters in that movie. After his initial escape, Steve Mc Queen rode on a Motorcycle hoping to finally make his way to the frontier but only to be recaptured. Sir Jackal’s bicycling and the way he rehearsed himself in the dense Cassamance forest in the event he needed to escape through the bush were all unique qualities that proof him a soldier’s soldier. A soldier’s ability is not entirely based on the training he receives, but how to use what you were trained for if there is a need be. That is one of the similarities between Sir Jackal and the soldiers in the movie, THE GREAT ESCAPE.

    The second movie identical to Sir Jackal’s saga is THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY a Clint Eastwood 1967 Hollywood classic movie based on bounty hunting scam which joined two men in an uneasy alliance against a third in a race to find a fortune in gold buried in a remote cemetery. For those who may not know Clint Eastwood by this name, he is the man locally called Jango in cowboy movies in the late 1960s. In that movie greed made the man who was likely going to win all the treasures, losses it all and Clint Eastwood and his friend rejoiced as they finally recovered the hidden treasures. That was a movie but in real life situations where soldiers were chasing their own colleague with life ammunitions as in Sir Jackal’s case, the atmosphere is one of great fear. Sir Jackal’s bravery and military skills also reminded me of three national heroes and icons in our nation’s defense force. They were Commander Bojang, the late Tambajang and the late Kikala Baldeh all of blessed memory. The trio were members of our nation’s defunct Paramilitary Defense Unit, (FIELD FORCE) and the police force, were national heroes and their bravery will remain in our nation’s history for generations to come. Because of Sir Jackal’s demonstrated bravery and wisdom like his predecessors Bojang, Tambajang and Kikala Baldeh, he remains the winner in the eyes of all patriotic Gambians while President Yaya Jammeh and the soldiers sent to apprehend Sir Jackal become the real losers.

In a symbolic sense therefore, Sir Jackal is the good, the government is the bad and the soldiers unable to apprehend him, the ugly. However, the greatest thing is Sir Jackal’s ability to escape. Otherwise, he could either been executed or left to rot in Africa’s concentration Camp, The Gambia’s Mile II prisons. Every move made by Sir Jackal as shown in his powerful narrative belies the story and the real life drama that many a fugitive soldier went trough since the July 22, 1994 coup that brought Jammeh to power. Reading his powerful story, is both frightening and humorous and that brings the best out of the saga. At times I was caught in the middle of it with laughter especially, his encounter with the Senegalese forces, when of them told his colleagues that while it was clear that Sir Jackal was a very dangerous man, it was equally probable that he could even fly if under siege while the fugitive soldier was lying under him and that he almost stepped on his head with his military boots. This in itself is very revealing, and simply put; the Senegalese soldiers were just there filling their pockets with public funds rather than applying skills and techniques they learnt. Beyond that, is the sigh of relief that comes with his escape, especially, for us Gambians who love our country.

    One of the greatest things, which probably helped Sir Jackal escape from Yahya Jammeh’s butcher soliders, was his faith in God. Just as he mentioned only a faithful believer could pray even one raka under such circumstances. I have never been a solider but being a keen researcher in all sources of human interests, I found out that the most important part of a soldier’s career is being able to keep deep secrets especially, if it is something concerning civilians. Based on what we have learnt from Sir Jackal so far, there are certain questions in his interview, which he left unanswered for the safety of those he left behind. I am totally convinced that Sir Jackal is your consummate solider, one with unquestionable heroism and bravery. To be a soldier is not just carrying rocket launchers on your shoulders, carrying machine guns or brandishing automatic rifles and heavy boots but the ability to defend your country and the world if there is a need to. Above all, is the ability to keep deep secrets. If Sir Jackal were an ordinary man never enlisted in the military, he could have told the rebels along the border that he knows how to use a rifle or any other weapon. Sir Jackal’s ability to keep his secrets to himself even in the midst of rebels who frequented his restaurant for meals all proof him a good solider. I think Sir Jackal’s story should be a lesson for some of our brothers who openly talk about their heroism in the fields. In New York, it is sometimes disgusting to see Gambian soldiers bragging about how they humiliated people in the war zones. Even if the topic at hand had no relevance to military business, such folks will skillfully divert the discourse to showcase their bravery in the fields of war.  

    It did not surprise me when Sir Jackal became a master cook in Guinea because young men of Sir Jackal’s age from The Gambia all learn to cook once in their lifetime to prepare themselves for situations of this nature. Finally, Sir Jackal, keep on training for The Gambia may need you one day and I have no doubt that even President Yahya Jammeh himself needs you and your wisdom, your ability and above all your military skills which enable you to remain our best but wanted fugitive. Don’t worry Sir Jackal every Gambian is behind you and if we need you anytime it will not take you by surprise. Until then, I salute you Sir Jackal or do I call you Suma S.?  I will continue to wonder what that name and the S stand for. However, CHEER UP Sir Jackal!!