The Consequence of Jammeh’s Dictatorship
By Pasamba Jow Coach
Exactly one year ago today, March 4, Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh was seized at the Banjul International Airport upon arrival from the USA to mourn the death of her father. She had since being charged with preposterous and frivolous charges- paraded through kangaroo courts that could not help but see through the imprudence of the charges. But true to form instead of dismissing this case, magistrate after magistrate hid behind the cloak of jurisdiction to runaway from the case.
What is more perplexing is Jammeh’s promise in his independence anniversary address of “creating a new Gambia; a country where each and everyone of us will be held accountable and responsible for our actions, and a country where services, justice and all the hallmarks and principles of justice, equality and honest governance will permeate every section of society.” This coming from a President who has total disregard for the Constitution and Rule of Law is just another insult to the Gambian people.
The fact that Jammeh will speak of respect for the rule of law with a straight face when Ebrima Chief Manneh, Kanyiba Kanyi and others are either held incommunicado or have been murdered, shows the true nature of this inveterate fraud we have as President.
One may be compelled to ask; when will Jammeh “be held accountable and responsible” for his actions ranging from the constant abrogation of rights of Gambians, the murder of innocent citizens and deliberate pillaging of the coffers of the Gambia? I hope Gambians will ponder this fundamental question and come to action sooner rather than later. One important first step is to turn a new page of unity of purpose and stop blaming the wrong people for Gambia ’s current woes. Our problem is not a by product of Mandinkas, Jolas, Fulas, Wolof or any other tribal group, it is squarely the making of Yahya Jammeh with the help of a corrupt, unpatriotic, and kowtowing group of Gambians. Worst among these people are some so-called Imams, who have reduced themselves to mere beggars and outright sycophants.