I’m no longer sure how safe Gambia is
Dear editor,
I’ve just listened to the Army CDS Masanneh Kinteh’s interview on the alleged arrest of top Army Generals (Umpa and Tamba) that Jammeh chose to go on exile with, who returned a year later, through the airport, drove to their homes before getting arrested hours later. Kinteh was talking so casually like this is nothing serious. He sounded so unbothered.
I’ve maintained that this Administration will succeed or fail contingent on how they handle justice and security. There are so many people hurting and aggrieved, and until this day, no practical efforts have been made to show that that is prioritized. I’m made to understand the President Barrow has chosen to accord the victims and victims’ center audience only when he knew the German President was coming to the country and was sure to meet victims’ center that Barrow squeezed them in his slot.
With the porous borders, you’d think our ‘fragile’ and fluid security would be important enough for them to tighten and heighten intelligence. But if top Generals of possible interest could have the audacity to pack their bags and say ‘f**k it!, we are going back to where we’re sure to be arrested’, they knew the President and gov’t, the security services especially, are spineless! They knew they could walk through the airport, the streets to their homes. There has to be people at the Airport who knew and recognized these people when they touched down. What use are the Police and Military intelligence units?
Next insulting story may be the wanted, charged alleged murderers of the jungler team heading back, settling in the country; then Yahya Jammeh coming to demand settling in Kanilai. The day ECOMIG leaves the Gambia under Barrow’s watch, that country will be a mess.
Barrow serving beyond 3 years may not be good for country, especially if he chooses to entrust the nation’s security with same people that’d had it for 2 decades.
Pata J Saidykhan
USA
Sir Femi Peters, The Gambia’s Malcom X
Dear editor,
The ability to feel sympathy for each other is one of the most beautiful traits that we possess as human being. The human condition is one of fundamental isolation. When we reach out and share our sympathies with another human being in pain, we are offering a great benevolence to the individual in pain.
I have no words to express how deeply sorry I am to hear about the demise of one of the founding fathers of Gambia’s democracy. I’m in shock to here this news from a friend. While the loss of a loved one is never easy, even when anticipated, it is most certainly the hardest when they are taken from us too soon at a time when needed.
I offer my sincere condolence and deepest sympathy to the United Democratic Party. May the outpouring of sympathy, the kind acts of friends and strangers and the comfort in knowing that your loss is felt by many, help the Party in this difficult moment.
I acknowledge the fact that Femi was a fighter who wanted to see that one day The Gambia would be the last place of hope on earth. He was arrested during the Jammeh’s regime but that doesn’t stop him from speaking for the voice less beyond any political dimension. As a result of his effort that today we are enjoying the “right of freedom of speech and expression” and “right of academic freedom”, which are expressly guaranteed by section 25 (1) (A) and section 25(1) (B) respectively, of The Gambia’s 1997 Constitution.
I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death. (Leonardo da Vinci).
You will always be remembered Sir for your selfless effort in making the Gambia great. And I wish the Barrow Administration could build a statue in recognition of your service to the nation.
Socrates once said that to fear death, my friends, is only to think ourselves wise, without being wise, for it is to think that we know what we do not know. For anything that men can tell, death may be the greatest good that can happen to them, but they fear it as if they knew quite well that it was the greatest of evils. And what is this but that shameful ignorance of thinking that we know what we do not know?
The sorrow of the faithful is not that of permanent loss, but the tender sense of sadness that comes in saying good-bye for now to someone we love. May today’s sorrow give way to the peace and comfort of God’s love.
Saidina Alieu Jarjou
Farafenni
