Dear Editor,
The violent actions of these citizens seen in a video carried by Kerr Fatou should be investigated and those found stoning the police should be brought to book. Citizens must recognise and uphold the fact that they should always remain peaceful and nonviolent even in their strongest disagreements about anything.
Political parties, and in this case, UDP in particular should enlighten their members or supporters to exercise restraint and maintain peace at all times even if they disagree. It serves no party’s interest to have its supporters engage in violent acts. Even when provoked, citizens must seek the path of peace and human rights.
Above all, citizens must not violently vent out their grievances on law enforcement officers. Much as we condemn police brutality so also should citizens refrain from violently attacking the police, threatening lives and causing damage to property.
There exist the necessary mechanisms in this country through which citizens, politicians, communities, associations and political parties can employ to seek and obtain justice and accountability. We have seen these mechanisms being utilised to that effect from 2017 to date. This option should always be used.
At this juncture it is utterly necessary to highlight the urgent need for robust security sector reforms to empower and enable the police to better respond to public assemblies. Both the police and the public should be responsible enough not to provoke violence in anyway. Apparently, this was the case in Brikama on 10th March, unfortunately.
Police officers must particularly be told that while they have a right to defend themselves from violent rioters. However, the moment a rioter is overpowered by officers, there’s no justification anymore to hit that rioter.
In the meantime, the authorities and all stakeholders should demand an investigation into the acts of police brutality and the violent actions of these citizens in the video.
I hereby call on the IGP to open investigations on the actions of his officers as well on the actions of violent protesters to ensure accountability.
No to police brutality. No to a culture of violence. For The Gambia, our homeland.
Madi Jobarteh
Kembujeh
Re: Sheikh Sidia Bayo says ‘corruption is everywhere
Dear Editor,
God, I raised my hand and called Your name because the people of this nation and everything in it belong to You. We are not here by accident. You are The One Who set us on this nation at this particular time. This is the only country we know this is the only country we have. God, please turn the people of mother Gambia toward righteousness and away from evil. May we not be labelling what is good as evil, or what is evil as good. Remove bitterness, and resentment from our hearts and help us see the truth and nothing but the truth. Nothing that happens in this country escapes You or catches You by surprise so help us, God, that all may live in unity freedom and peace each day. Ameen. This country of ours and its people need prayers.
Bakary ‘King’ Camara
Serekunda
Dear Editor,
In The Gambia we call ourselves Muslims and Christians but we are Muslims and Christians only in name and not in deed. Corruption, tribalism and nepotism are all anathema to religion. Furthermore, one of the biggest crimes in Islam is lying and it is normal in The Gambia. Look at our places of worship. Sometimes you see only a handful of people in attending congregational prayers and services. This tells one that the Gambian population is dominated by naafikas or hypocrites. If you lie and you know you are a liar, you better not go close to a decent place like a mosque. Remember you will be buried alone no matter what, and you will account for every single breath much more the deeds and statements you made. Truly, I believe The Gambia is only 25 percent Muslim, for the rest, God knows what they are!
