Dear Able Editor,

Please accord me some space in my contribution towards a better Gambia. I apply short-hand method in writing my articles as time is costly both for me, the able editors and indeed the (consumers) readers.  I write articles on breaks from work, at closure before going home, and at home after a long day's work.  I inevitably do make mistakes in writing as you do realise some times, especially the able editors at forefront of this aspect of nation building.

To clear everyone’s doubt as to my connection (awareness) to issues back home, I would say I have been privileged to have worked in all regions in The Gambia as (average) civil servant for one and half decade. My job had direct link impacting on people’s lives for poverty alleviation. I left in past half decade on my own accord for what has became of Gambia under Yaya Jammeh as it’s not been possible for civil servants in particular to do any decent work without political interference. Also, my mother, the person I love most on this earth, except for my children, was concerned for my tardy form of expression when it comes to issues of national interest. I will go to heaven when killed, as we are taught in Islam; the decision to leave was one of prudence with interest of my immediate family at heart for I know I would be more able to contribute to nation building outside of today’s Gambia than within.

I have personally witnessed lots of issues politically affecting Gambia during my working days and got to know others from colleagues and fellow citizens as everyone in Gambia are inter-related just like the neighbour and family friend I sighted to have been alleged to commit some crimes in cohort with Yaya before. I get to the Internet frequently to keep abreast with issues back home and phones Gambia almost every other day. I also get to visit my family at least, once yearly.

I personally believe all efforts been thrown in so far in reclaiming our freedom as a nation are quite invaluable. The military have a place in it by dislodging Yaya just like Amadou Toumani Touray had in Mali and hand the country back to civilians. Just like all sectors, the Constitution has their (Military) place as defenders of the nation, not rulers which they must accept if one chooses to be in the army in all civilized societies.  However, I believe our greater chance of immediate eminent success in efforts politically; currently lies in opposition-union, combination of all votes against. I do not believe we can succeed in our opposing scattered-form.

Yaya monopolizes on all state and public facilities, intimidates the masses physically through the Green Boys and security apparatus, army & police and also, psychologically through arms of guns, rocket launchers and tanks paraded on tours to induce fear in the population to coerce Gambians into voting for him. As some unaware ‘peaceful’ Gambians think it is better under the-Devil, in waiting for God’s hand than a civil conflict as all signs intently indicated by him.

Yaya with all facilities at his disposal can have an equal contest with the opposition in the Gambian population. But he surely has and enjoys sole monopoly on illegal Cassamance nationals’ voter registrations in Gambia. I personally saw people being registered through the south bank regions of Gambia whilst there. My former chauffeur, native of a border village confirmed seeing persons known from another village on the Cassamance side of the border in same queues as him and actually voted at elections in Gambia. With these mechanisms and other dirty tricks at play, I believe we cannot match Yaya in our current individual (party) separate state. So I therefore, appeal to all opposition leaderships in Gambia to reflect and consider my proposal of another attempt at a union. For, we can temporarily do away with our individual tendencies, until we secure Gambia from the tyrannically grips of a murderer and start afresh in our separate state where all will be at peace with one another.

To the APRC supporters who take offence in our utterances as we must step on each other’s toes in our search for a Gambia best for all as a nation is; please sit calmly by and reflect. A translated Mandinka adage has it that.., ‘Bed bugs are not spared when a bedroom burns’ for issues in Gambia affects us all. One should not think they would be safe (God forbids!) if things ‘come to shove’. I am not mentioning the Baba Jobes, Ramzia Diabs, Duta Kamasos, Fatou Jahumpas, Saikou Njies, Lang Tombong’s, etc, just take a story I read online yesterday from a local newspaper back home for example. One “Buba Sanyang at the time of his arrest was the Chief Security Officer at the Sulayman Junkung Jammeh Hospital in Bwiam, and the APRC Constituency Chairman and Youth Mobiliser within the area”. Buba was “asserted to have worked tirelessly for the APRC party within the area”. “Momodou Lamin Nyassi was an outspoken person for the APRC party before he was appointed as the District Chief” but was later dismissed as chief. And “Ndongo M’boob who was the District Coordinator of the ruling APRC party was always at the forefront of APRC activities within the area”. These people were arrested since April 2004 by agents in tinted glassed numberless vehicle right under the noses of families and have not been seen or heard of since. Whoever thinks some of us are in these efforts for grudges or personal gains should have to rethink. The message is, Gambia (for all) far from individual gains is what matters most to us all.

Yaya commented in his recent swearing-in that “ministers to do with earned” whilst he hijacks government efforts by pretending to personally fund development projects. An example being the donations to national under-17 team, D5 millions to Brufut community, etc; Gambia employs and pays Yaya salary but Gambia is not able to do these developments by self. Yet Yaya, employed by Gambia is richer than Gambia; his employer. Just imagine what’s being said (portrayed) here?

The majority of Mandinkas in opposition as some APRC supporters influenced by Yaya’s deceptive tribal affiliation tendencies points to are not entirely tribally based. It was the same when reflecting on the old Republic where the incumbent, Sir Dawda Jawara,  was himself Mandinka; I think with statistical facts on population,  it’s with fact  that Mandinkas are the majority tribe and would therefore, be visible in most if not all aspects of the political spectra. But tribal affiliation should not serve as one’s factor of support when it comes to national (communal) interest(s).

God help Gambia. Amen.

Thank you,

Yours

Hakilo