By Mathew K. Jallow 

 

The B.B. Darboe Factor

        The B.B. Dabo interview was interesting and generally insightful, however, for me, the last part had more draw because it responded to issues I raised in a previous article. In the interview, Mr. Dabo went to considerable lengths to refute the allegations I made with regard to the systemic Mandinkanisation of our Civil Service, and I agree only to the extent that the practice was not a matter of government or ruling party policy. In any bureaucracy, some decisions are made outside the formal decision-making structure, as a result, the fact that Mandinkas held an overwhelming number of civil service jobs in the previous government at the exclusion of other tribes, may not have been officially sanctioned by government, but it was a reality nonetheless. This is not any abstract construct, nor is it a matter of perception; for it was real, and the names, and the number of senior level positions held by Mandinkas can as a matter of fact confirm my allegation.  Mr. Dabo though did admit to mistakes that the government of the day made, alluding to

“people placed in positions of trust, failing in allocating such resources, to demonstrate the requisite level of fairness and evenhandedness.” This practice was in fact very pervasive even though the Jawara government never seemed to recognize its extent, seriousness and reach. Mr. Dabo did also inform us that a World Bank study warned him of this growing problem, but his interview statement that the “malpractice was still not widespread and the situation nowhere near getting out of hand”, does again illustrate what everyone except the elites in that government knew. The depth of discord that this uneven hand was creating in our country was not only serious; it was also very unsettling to say the least. While no one will blame Mr. Dabo for attempting to minimize the pervasiveness of the corrupt practices their government fostered, his other interview statement that, “yes, cronyism was beginning to rear its ugly head in civil service appointments and promotions,” failed again to recognize that cronyism was not only well entrenched, it was also cancerous, and undeservedly victimizing a large segment of our population. I would also like to interject that many Gambians are bad losers perhaps only because they never had the opportunity to compete in the game in the first place, since the cronyism Mr. Darboe admits existed, made sure that there was not only unfair and sham competition, but that there was no competition, whatsoever, for the most part. Those who had the political and family connections, and those who had beautiful sisters, aunts and mothers, had an unfair advantage over those with the right academic or experiential qualifications.  Now, with the benefit of hindsight, it is easy to see how perception and reality combine to define our understanding of the Jawara regime, but one thing is certain, the 1994 coup did not happen in a vacuum. It was most certainly motivated by the widespread disillusionment with the government of Sir Dawda, clearly a government that buried its head in the sand and was complacent enough to lose it footing. A look at the demise of many of our institutions, Gambia Commercial and Development Bank, Gambia Produce Marketing Board, Gambia Fish Marketing Corporation, Gambia Public Transport Corporation, The National Trading Corporation, Public Works Department, Rural Development Project, Jahali Pacharr Rice Project, and Livestock Marketing Board among others, it is easy to see why the Jawara regime is being judged so harshly. It would now appear that everyone was sleeping at the ship’s wheel, as billions of Dalasis went down the drain, and for that there can be no excuse. Imagine such a breath-taking waste of our resources through corrupting influences of cronyism, favoritism, nepotism, and tribalism.

 

        Having said that, I must say I had 45 minutes conversation with Mr. B.B. Dabo from his Asmara hotel, and our discussion was civil and characterized by mutual respect and a desire to cultivate harmony amongst our people. I was impressed by Mr. Darboe’s own admission of mistakes made by the Jawara government; he deferring to me when I made a valid point, and me acquiescing to the weight of his arguments when he made a point. I did not find him putting up any defensive mechanism; rather, he was forthcoming with answers to some of the questions I had in my mind. We both agreed the situation at home is dire, but we did not delve much into the present, instead we spent much of the time discussing the past in which he was a key player in running the affairs of our government. When we speak again I will have the opportunity to raise the issues dealing with the elephant in the room: The brutal Yahya Jammeh regime. Hopefully he will give us his insight into the activities of this regime too.

 

          The Deaths in Jah Kunda.

 

        The death by drowning of two of Yahya Jammeh and the APRC’s much-feared Green Boys brothers in Jah Kunda village was an unfortunate incident, and we sympathize with the aggrieved family. For me though, the important story is not the demise of the brothers, rather, it is the apparent dispersal and entrenchment of the Jammeh regime and the APRC machinery into the far reaches of our country. The existence of the Green Boys, or better still, the morphing of regular APRC supporters into tools of intimidation and torture for the Jammeh regime in the remote reaches of our country, is indicative of the extent and depth of APRC’s hold on our political system. The formation of the Green Boys enterprise was predicated on the stifling of political dissent, with the objective of paving the way for a virtual single party dictatorship in our country. This mafia outfit carries out acts of brutal repression even as they serve as informers for the NIA who intimidate, torture and murder fellow citizens with impunity. By situating the Green boys around our country in communities big and small, near and far, remote and accessible, Jammeh and his APRC are employing a tried and tested way to enforce and secure compliance and political subjugation through intimidation. Every dictatorship that has ever existed or that still exists, have relied on the establishment of elaborate security apparatus designed to preempt and subdue political dissent through the old tools of repression: misinformation, indoctrination, intimidation, torture and murder. Historically, communities that have been victims of such vicious acts of political repression, have remained dangerously divided for long periods of time, but in many cases, have spontaneously erupted into violent reprisals when the balance of power had shifted. At this time, no one knows how much damage the Green Boys and other official and unofficial institutions and organizations of political repression in our country have done to the pride and psyche of our countrymen forced to suffer indignity in utter silence. One thing is certain, when Jammeh and the APRC are relegated to oblivion and the dustbin of history, Yahya Jammeh would have written the worst and most traumatizing chapter of our history, and in the process, engineered the likelihood of bitter sectarian rivalries. This though is not a foregone conclusion, yet it would be naïve and perilous to ignore its distinct possibility. With only a mere third of our population supporting him, Jammeh’s regime remains in power only at the will of our security and military forces. These institutions rather than serve our people who pay them, exists only as enforcers and bullyboys for Yahya Jammeh and his corrupt and incompetent regime. Meanwhile, as a family in Jah Kunda is burying its dead sons, some in that community maybe rejoicing at the demise of the two brothers who have allowed themselves to be used as instruments of repression by Jammeh and the APRC. And who will blame some members of the Jah Kunda community for wishing their tormentors dead?

 

Jammeh’s Paranoia & Delusion 

A Daily Observer story last week accusing the Senegalese government of attempting to foment an uprising against the illegitimate government of Yahya Jammeh was as amusing as it was intriguing. First of all, Gambians don’t need the Senegalese or any government for that matter to tell them what they already know more than anyone. Gambians are sick and tired of the Jammeh regime and like it or not, from Sidney, Australia to Los Angeles, California, we are thinking of ways to get our country back from the brink of a political catastrophe. With or without the Senegalese government, we will find a way to bring about the downfall of this murderous and dictatorial regime of Yahya Jammeh and his gang of corrupt collaborators. Our long-suffering countrymen are looking to us to deliver them from the pain, agony and humiliation of this regime, and we will not rest until we fulfill that hope both for them and for us. Besides, it is morally wrong for Senegal to stand idly by when The Gambian government in cohort with the army and security forces is running a house of horror within our borders. At some point, Senegal may not have any option but to intervene in The Gambia to put an end to Yahya Jammeh’s killing madness. When that happens, there would be thousands of Gambian citizens including deserting military and security forces who will be fighting along side the Senegalese in order to dislodge a government that prides itself in butchering its people.

 

Everyone knows that for the past ten years, Yahya Jammeh has been engaged in helping to arm the rebels in Cassamance who have used weapons provided by Jammeh to kill Senegalese security forces and innocent villagers in the southern region of Senegal. So far, the government of Senegal has been very restraint over the past decade, and Jammeh should thank God that Abdoulaye Wade is not an aggressive type of leader. At some point though, even Mr. Wade must say enough is enough to Jammeh’s meddling in the affairs of the sovereign nation of Senegal. Jammeh’s continued support and sheltering of Cassamance rebels inside our country is a slap in the face of Senegal, and for that, the international community will have no sympathy for his regime should Senegal decide to oust him to stop him trying to foment a regional conflict in the area. In the 1970s, Tanzania with the support of the international community invaded Uganda to dispose the brutal regime of Idi Amin. Most recently, Ethiopia with international support invaded Somalia to restore order in that country. Even where Senegal was assisting Gambian dissidents in Dakar, it would be the right thing to do. If it is acceptable for Jammeh to arm and shelter Cassamance rebels and dissident in our country, why should it not be acceptable for Senegal to help arm and support Gambian dissidents? Jammeh must understand that he will only reap what he sows, and that his arrogance and ignorance are going to be his undoing. Who knows, but perhaps we may soon be holding a requiem for Jammeh and his regime, but until then his paranoia and delusion will continue to haunt him.

 

In Other Matters.

                     

                          Brikama Water Rate Crisis.

In other areas, the water crisis in Kombo Brikama is in the news once again. In 1994, there was a violent riot there around this same water issue, and I can guarantee that if Jammeh is going to be removed by force, it might start there. I had always like Brikama and I drove there every opportunity I had, but it was during the water riots in 1994 that I really fell in love with the town even though Swaebou Touray of PDOIS saved my life  from a lynch mob who mistook me for a supporter of the Jawara government. Then as now, we can only encourage the people of Brikama to reject any proposal to increase utility costs, and more importantly to exercise their constitutional right to demonstrate and if needs be riot in order to defend their God given rights.

 

Jammeh’s Fake Honors.

I read the other day that Yahya Jammeh was being awarded the Humanitarian Ambassador recognition by a U.K. based outfit. Like the Doctorate Degree that Jammeh got from a university in the U.S. that does not and never ever existed here, and the medal Jammeh received from an impostor U.S. Senator, I guess this group too may also be fake like the rest. Jammeh actually believes that he can polish his tarnished image by having his propaganda outlet, The Daily Observer; intermittently publish articles that falsely show him in a different and humane light. Jammeh can be assured that no amount of propaganda written or spoken can ever salvage the brutal and murderous image he has built for himself. He chose to be in the camp of Idi Amin and others like him, and there is indeed where he will forever remain. When all is said and done, Jammeh is no different from these very evil specimens of the human race.

                           Jammeh’s Birthday- Again.

This is Jammeh’s birthday celebration season again, and frankly nothing makes me as mad and rips my heart from my chest as this stupid birthday. Why should we care about Jammeh birthday, when we don’t even celebrate our parents and guardians birthdays? To be honest we don’t care and Jammeh should not use our national resources to celebrate a date when in reality all of us now wish he was never born in the first place. Jammeh’s own celebration of him self has a deep psychological meaning, and it reflects his attempts to make up for his other character flaws. But, the use of our financial resources and time for such an idiotic and moronic thing as a birthday celebration must be done away with. We have had enough of this silly and conceited celebration.

 

"Jola Students Only," Please.

I read somewhere Jammeh is once again going to provide 200 out of 300 scholarships to student from the Fonis, and if this were true, it would not be the first time that Jammeh has practiced this divisive tribalism. Last year, Jammeh according to an article in The Daily Observer, offered free education to hundreds of schoolgirls in the Fonis, ignoring other poor deserving students in other parts of the country. I wrote to comment on that blatant tribalism, but as usual it fell on deaf ears. What is worth noting here is how Jammeh has replaced the Education Department in offering educational scholarships to students not on the basis of academic merit but based on the students being of the Jola tribe. By these actions, Jammeh is planting the seeds of anger in student denied opportunities because they belong to tribes other than Jola.

 

Miss. Black Who?

I was flabbergasted when I read about the huge contributions being made by private and public enterprises towards the Miss Black U.S.A competition. My question is why should a Miss. Black U.S.A. be held in The Gambia instead of the U.S., but more importantly, why should Gambians foot the bill to host this useless competition. Why don’t Gamtel, GPA, Trust Bank, Afro cell and other donors think of something better to invest our funds into other than for a silly beauty contest? From a business perspective, The Gambia should host such an event only if there would be benefits to our country’s economy. Here in the U.S., cities and towns host these kinds of competitions not for a “feel good” effect, but based on business decisions as to what and how much a city or town will stand to benefit in economic terms. Doesn’t anyone in these institutions think in terms of the economic benefit to their organization and our country? I wander.

 

Bubacarr Sankanu’s Pieces

No offence meant to Mr. Sankanu, but I must say that I find most of his postings lacking substance and value, and rather than focus on the issues that matter to all Gambians, he has chosen to appease Jammeh in one posting after another. Besides, the way and manner he is characterizing women in his writings is both demeaning and condescending. I am not sure the women in his latest piece: Mariam Denton and Fatou Jaw-Manneh want to be cast as sexual objects, rather than as intelligent, educated women with something to contribute towards our national development. I think Mr. Sankanu’s attitude towards all women needs to change.

Secondly, I feel very offended; in fact I am smoking hot with rage over a statement Mr. Sankanu made to Yahya Jammeh purporting to speak for all Diaspora Gambians. That statement reads “we are ready to work with you in advancing our beloved Nation of The Gambia.” That is blatantly untrue, because I know of no one in my circles who can stomach this butcher Yahya Jammeh, and this makes me wander which Diaspora Gambian has Mr. Sankanu spoken to about Jammeh, or on what planet is Mr. Sankanu living. Moreover, I have not given Mr. Sankanu license to speak for me, and I know of no one else who has, and this is because he can’t and he never will speak for me and other Diaspora Gambians. If he wants to please Jammeh, he has all the right, but not in our names. NEVER.

If editorial decision on this paper rested solely on me, Mr. Sankanu’s articles will never see the light of day on this paper. There are enough grounds to censure his pieces and I would do so in a heartbeat. As far as we at The Echo are concerned, Jammeh has no standing, whatsoever, and we are not interested in rehabilitating him, on the contrary, we want him out RIGHT NOW. Journalism rules against censorship are not etched in stone; instead censorship is an integral part of the profession of journalism. Grounds for censorship may include, but not limited to; lack of substantive value, libelous information, mischaracterization of facts, and the potential damage to the integrity of persons, especially persons not in a position to defend themselves. Everyone is entitled to the defense of his or her character, and every news outlet has an obligation to never damage the integrity of anyone. There is a clear line between what is real worthy news and what is sensational tabloid news, and that line should never be confused or crossed.

For now, if Mr. Sankanu cannot redirect his efforts towards the complete destruction of the illegitimate Jammeh regime, he might as well take his corrupted ideas and thinking elsewhere for publication. We are not in the business of denigrating our educated women who are well deserving of the respect they have earned, not the sexual innuendoes that seek keep them down. Mr. Sankanu must understand that it is never acceptable to build oneself up by tearing others down, rather, he must continue to build himself up as he is doing without using the names of others in vain. But if Mr. Sankanu does not recognize Yahya Jammeh for what he is: a corrupt, divisive, egomaniacal, Machiavellian, and incompetent murderer, then he better start thinking about starting his own online paper to open a direct line of communication with Yahya Jammeh.