By Tijan Nimaga, New York                                      

On July 18 2007 the BBC Focus on Africa’s Umaru Fofana interviewed former Gambian President Alhagi Sir Dawda Jawara on his relationship and feelings of the regime that ousted his government. During the interview, Sir Dawda agreed that the July 22 1994 coup was something common in Africa since the 1960s.He described similar incidents that occurred in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and The Gambia as well. Each an every word uttered by Sir Dawda can tell you that he still has the talent, the courage and the capability to transcend our nation to the wonderful moments it has enjoyed during his years in office. The BBC correspondent further asked Sir Dawda if he came to terms with the July 22 coup d’etat. Sir Dawda replied succinctly  “Definitely, oh yes! I came to terms with it as it happened an d I took it my stride.’’ On how Sir Dawda felt by being given the chance to stay with the regime that ousted his government a move which the BBC reporter described as a rare happening in African politics-ousted leaders allowed to return home under the regime that ousted them; Sir Dawda in his own words replied, “It makes me feel proud of The Gambia.” Asked if he is in good terms with Yaya Jammeh, Sir Dawda proudly told the BBC reporter that being in good terms with Yaya Jammeh was the main reason why he was able to return home and settle as a free citizen. Sir Dawda was asked if President Yaya Jammeh visits him or if he visits him and also if he calls him. Sir Dawda replied (laughing), “There is no need to go into minute details. The relationship is good. I think is sufficient’’, said Sir Dawda .The BBC correspondent then asked Sir Dawda how he thinks the country has come so far after thirteen years. Sir Dawda replied, “Well I’m not an expert to make such an assessment. I think that is a function of people like you (laughing), the reporters, the journalists and so on.”

    What can Gambians especially, President Yaya Jammeh learn from Sir Dawda’s interview with the BBC Focus on Africa service? Every single word that Sir Dawda said was a word of wisdom. His words bespeak of a highly responsible, extra-ordinary statesman whose legacy will never be extinguished from our minds. Sir Dawda himself was born May 16, 1924 at Barajally in the MacCarthy Island Division. Sir Dawda Jawara was educated at Methodist Boys’ High School. He later studied at Achimoto College in Ghana before proceeding to read veterinary medicine at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, where he qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 1953. He returned home, became a politician and later elected Prime Minister of The Gambia from 1962 to 1970 and President from 1970 until 1994.Sir Dawda has proven to the nation that his love for The Gambia is unique and that he is proud of his compatriots. And coming back to live with his fellow countrymen has clearly proven that during his time in office, he hasn’t done anything wrong that one could count on as a human rights abuse. Sir Dawda’s individual respects for human rights during his time in office were second to none. That is one of the main lessons that Yaya Jammeh must try to establish and bring to justice all those who continue to kill the members of the press, rival politicians and civil servants. These mass murders in The Gambia have just begun recently. During Sir Dawda’s time in office the only time that hundreds of civilians died was the 1981 senseless rebellion provoked by Kukoi Samba Sanyang. The deaths of civilians from July 31st to 6th August, could not have happened had it not been the invitation sent to Sir Dawda from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. For the interest of the younger generation and our readers around the world, the 1981 coup d’etat happened while Sir Dawda was at the wedding of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana at Buckingham Palace. It was at this time that Kukoi launched his senseless murder and robbery, which he claimed to be a coup d’etat. The least Sir Dawda knew was that, the Royal wedding was going to cause him and his government and the people of The Republic of The Gambia huge amount of casualties ever in the nation’s history?  President Yaya Jammeh must lift the lifetime ban on Sir Dawda Jawara from active politics. The 83-year-old veteran politician, Sir Dawda Jawara is a national treasure for The Gambia and is the nation’s master politician from whom every patriotic citizen can benefit from. Whatever the case may be between the former President and Yahya Jammeh, there is an old adage that still holds time thus: “Daddy show me the way so I’ll find my way in the dark” Bravo Sir Dawda!!! 

           Showdown With Senegal

     Talking about Sir Dawda’s wisdom brings me to a topic closer to home, which Yahya Jammeh must try to solve amicably or may ultimately lead to his very political demise. The emergency called up by the Senegalese Transportation Minister, Farba Senghor to meet transportation owners, Union leaders and other individuals are exceptional qualities that every responsible leader must do to serve his people. The route to Dakar and Ziquinchor via The Gambia has been in existence longer that even the arrival of the early Europeans, who must no doubt, be blamed for the separation of these two peoples. Prior to European colonialism we were the same people with every thing in common.

If the proposed plans of Transportation Minister Farba Senghor is implemented, it will be a better chance for the people of both Senegal and The Gambia to be united with families and friends in as little as less than 24 hours from Dakar to Ziquinchor. On the Senegalese side of the issue, creating a transportation link between the North to the South of the country via The Gambia is less expensive if compared to the route via Tambacounda to Ziquinchor. With Willis on the Atlantic Ocean to carry the human cargo and merchandise to the south of Senegal, some of the goods that are fragile or heavy to carry could be delivered safely. But now that Willis is undergoing technical problems, the only and easy way to reach Southern Senegal is creating a transportation network as wisely proposed by the Senegalese Transportation Minister. The link of transportation between Northern Senegal and the South of the country via The Gambia reminded me of the wonderful years of Alhagi Sir Dawda Jawara’s peaceful democratic rule. During Sir Dawda’s regime, The Gambia Ports Authority created an economic bonanza from the convoys of Senegalese trucks bound for Southern Senegal. My main recollection of the whole issue would be convoys of trucks loaded with charcoal, timber, bananas, oranges, mangoes and many more fruits and crops that I could count and will never be able to finish. Each of these trucks as they arrived at the Port Authority weighing center just few kilometers from Yeli Tenda and Bamba Tenda Ferry Terminals, would be weighed and be charged according to the weight of the content of each truck. From there on they will begin their journey through Jenoi, Pakalingding and Soma before heading to the border of The Gambia and Southern Senegal, Poste. When the trucks from Northern Senegal and minibuses make their trip across The River Gambia from Farafenni to Southern Senegal, the atmosphere of joy it brings to both the passengers and the truck drivers was always uniquely remarkable and friendly. Any patriotic citizen could remember those unique days.

  In my view, the proposed plan is no threat to The Gambia. As a matter of fact, it will create another economic boost for The Gambia Port Authority and its Ferry Services between Yeli Tenda and Bamba Tenda. If the proposed plan comes fruition, it could widen and strengthening the fragile relationship between The Gambia and Senegal. This move should not be provoked by any military interventions from both the Senegalese government and The Gambia governments. The relationship between The Gambian and Senegalese people is very strong. It is a kind of relationship that has its effects on both sides of the divide. There is an analogy expressing our interconnectedness that “if you stab a Senegalese his blood flows in The Gambia on the other hand, if you weep a Gambian her tears will wet Senegal.” President Yaya Jammeh being the coward that he is should not attempt any other redeployment of troops to provoke the proposed plan being considered by the Senegalese. It should instead be an example for President Yaya Jammeh and his mostly docile Cabinet Ministers to consider the chaotic transportation network in The Gambia in recent years. The redeployment of the military is not needed at this point. President Yaya Jammeh should respond by doing the same surprise in creating a viable and sustainable transportation system rather than redeploying troops; wasting money that could be used to create a transportation system for the deprived Gambian people. The Senegalese people should be proud of their Transportation Minister Farba Senghor for his quick respond to their needs. My final words to President Yaya Jammeh ''If you cannot count your chicken before they grow well, someone else will.”