Gambia vs. Senegal

Dear Mr. Editor,

With your kind permission, I would like to articulate my thoughts over the present crisis between The Gambia and Senegal. I have been reading different articles, and heard different opinions on this matter especially, on various online news media your channel, in particular. I was also able to read the address of President Jammeh of The Gambia. It was also put to my understanding that some Gambians have been arrested in Banjul simply by disagreeing with the President’s statement. I have also heard those people who continue to advocate for peace and tranquility over the matter, again I have heard of those who try to sugar-coat the issue by making it a religious matter as usual, and are totally blind or wish to deliberately ignore the facts involved.

Mr. Editor, Frankly speaking, these people are the core of African’s problems, they believe God will drop down from the sky and solve their problems without their efforts; they are cowards that always hide behind the good name of God. They use every conceivable opportunity as a scapegoat for not fulfilling their responsibility. It is because of them that African dictators find it easy to achieve their agenda of abusing people. They are hypocrites and generally so ignorant that they can’t differentiate between peace and justice. They are so myopic that life to them means nothing.Mr. Editor, I strongly believe “Peace is not merely the absence of tension but more so the present of justice”.

Mr.Editor, it is about time for people to question how worthy life is under the circumstances that they are deprive of liberty and the opportunity to pursue happiness. It is fair and appropriate to say he that comes to power by the barrel of the gun could be removed by the barrel of the gun, he that suppresses by the sword, should be killed by the sword, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. This to me is justice especially, bearing in mind Mr. Jammeh’s callous pattern of governance since July 22, 1994.

Mr. Editor, President Jammeh and his torture agents, most of whom are believed to be members of the Cassamance (Southern Senegal) rebels have inflicted enormous harm to many people and continue to make life miserable for many families, many people have been missing, many killed, many other innocent victims in jail, many good Gambians in exile, many others fired from their jobs for no reason. This is an opportunity many Gambians have been praying for, and I hope Senegal would do the right thing and get rid of this evil regime, no matter what the cost or consequences. In fact, in such event, chances are Gambian civilians would be safe, and secure from mortal danger. It would be highly strategic and conventional. All Senegal needs to do is close the border, then tackle State House, Kanilie, Yudum and Fajara Barracks. The Gambia has less than 10000 military personnel most of whom are not adequately trained when it comes to Field and Combat logistics and I know they will not risk their lives. As a matter of fact, 90% of them will surrender or escape at the sound of the first shot. Kudang, Kartong and Farafenni are mini-satellite installations that have no significance. In fact, I must narrate two incidents to buttress my allegations. There remains fresh in memory the shameful story of the drunken driver that slammed on the State House gate by Marina Parade, almost two thirds of the State Guards on duty disappeared, and some fled the facility at lightening speed through The Quadrangle. On a different episode and very recent, which all Gambians are aware of, four unarmed civilians took control and conquered both Katang and Farafenni in less than 2 hrs, when they were later captured, it was discovered that their operation was successful by merely using a flash/torch light. The reflection of the light scared the guards and so they all ran away.

Sincerely,

Junkung Jatta.

Banjul, The Gambia.

Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this letter are entirely those of the contributor and do not necessarily reflect the editorial opinion of The Gambia Echo Newspaper, LLC.