Sir Jackal is A Good Citizen

Editor:

It is rare for me to write in praise of any of these ex-solders from The Gambia who now live abroad; enjoying all the freedom and luxury that most of them denied their fellow citizens when they were working with Yahya Jammeh. Infact, my argument has been that if they work with the Jammeh government at any point and fall out with him, we (Gambians abroad) should work together to make sure that none of them get asylum abroad. Stands like that I think will put those who are serving under Jammeh now to think twice. Whenever I bring this for discussion with some of my political junky friends, they tend to agree but would say that is not Gambian... I can go on and on, on this...

But after reading Sergeant Alhagie Cham Joof ‘s (Sir Jackal) experience I though I will write to say, "I think he is a genuine and good citizen of The Gambia". I think stories like his can inspire people and give them hope that change is possible and it also brings to light the brutality of the Jammeh regime. We may all know about these brutalities but having narratives like that of his is a refresher to say the least. I think all ex-solders and civilians under Jammeh that are abroad should go ahead and tell their story to help expose Jammeh and his corrupt government. He said if the guys in the USA need him he is ready... I would like to ask him this question that I think should have been asked by your interviewer. When you were in the Guineas and Senegal your primary aim was to get Jammeh out and help your friends that are in prison; now that you are in Germany and enjoying real freedom, do you feel the same way you did about Jammeh and your friends and are you doing anything about it or just doing a wait and see?

I do not believe in any form of military take over, because when Jammeh, Sabally and their co coupists over threw Jawara I was hundred and one percent convinced that they will fulfill all their promises of democratization including a term limit to the presidency. They or I would say he - Jammeh did exactly the opposite. All my hopes were dashed; but then I was hundred and two percent convinced that Jammeh was over with when NADD came into being, not only did I support the idea but contributed towards what I though was an opportunity to bring democracy for the first time in my life time in the Gambia. Not only did that shatter my hopes for a genuine democracy in The Gambia but also, I have since then not been interested in any thing that is political as far as The Gambia.

Regards,

Batch, USA