Dear editor,
The arrest, rearrest, charging and arraignment of sports journalist Baboucarr Nani Sey beats comprehension. Baboucarr and his fellow youths were protesting what they saw as an ‘illegal transfer of ownership ‘ of a particular land in their area, Kololi. He was then arrested, charged, bailed and rearrested now to appear in court.
It is interesting to note that according to Baboucarr, they were simply demonstrating peacefully their disagreement on the selling of this important land by Kanifing Municipal Council to Global Properties and some other entity. The youth of the area have claimed that if anything, they are the ones who should be arrested but not Baboucarr Nani Sey.
It is said that when our football team performed well in a competition, Yahya Jammeh spontaneously gave them a piece of land situated near the stadium which used to belong to KMC; and then instructed the Department of Lands to compensate them by giving them another land. That is how the Department of Lands came to give the Kololi land (the disputed land) to KMC who later sold it to Global Properties and some other entity.
It is clear therefore that this mess is also a doing of Yahya Jammeh and his erratic behavior. Thus, even after being defenestrated, the clown is still impacting negatively on the Gambia and her people. This issue should therefore be viewed critically before it escalates into something else.
Government should therefore look into this problem quickly and closely with a view to finding a lasting solution to the standoff. As this involves the youth who are largely unemployed [thus frustrated, with a lot of time on their hands], it could escalate very rapidly.
Thus, as the saying goes, ‘Prevention Is Better Than Cure.’ Solve this problem. Now!
Tha Scribbler Bah
Nusrat SSS
In defence of Isatou Badjie’s appointment
Dear editor,
I know Isatou Badjie because we have worked together at the Foreign Affairs Ministry. That was one of the reasons why I initially don’t want to bother myself to clarify false claims being levelled against her. Of recent, I was compelled by the magnitude of false accusation hatched by haters to destroy someone productive to the socio-economic development of our country. Here’s an honest, truthful and impartial young Gambian lady.
We cannot allow the vultures at this crucial time to feed on sturgeon’s egg as poet, Lenrie Peters, puts it while competent and hardworking people like Isatou Badjie stands at the door. Her appointment came as a result of competence and the quality service she has rendered at the Foreign Ministry.
Her credentials, loyalty, integrity and international outlook guaranteed that she will place the interest of The Gambia above all other interests. And believe me, she has all what it takes to deliver to bring services, investors, and economic opportunities to the people of The Gambia. What more are we looking for?
Memory lane: Knowing the kind of affliction and threats journalists were experiencing in the former regime, Isatou was one of those rare Gambian civil servants who would support and associate herself with journalists at a time we were marginalised. She is a genuine human being. She was critical of the former regime and firmly believed that The Gambia, under Jammeh, was heading towards a wrong direction and needed a change of leadership.
As Gambians, we have to be more tolerant, shun hate and jealousy. We should be morally obliged to spur people whose sole interest is the well being of all Gambians. And Isatou, is one of those great and humble citizens of this great country who has rendered good service, I am honoured. Our hearts and prayers are with you in the execution of your duties at the United Nations. I made these few lines in my own capacity.
Saikou Ceesay
Foreign affairs
