I would like to take this opportunity to share with my fellow readers a wonderful letter written by the independence hero of Congo, Patrice Lumumba .The letter reads:
My dear wife,
I am writing these words not knowing whether they will reach you, when they will reach you, and whether I shall still be alive when you read them. All through my struggle for the independence of my country, I have never doubted for a single instant the final triumph of the sacred cause to which my companions and I have devoted all of our lives. But what we wished for our country, its right to an honourable life, to unstained our dignity, to independence without restrictions,was never desired by the Belgian imperialists and the Western allies, who found direct and indirect support deliberate and unintentional, amongst certain high officials of the United Nations, that organisation in which we placed all our trust when we called on its assistance.
They have corrupted some of our compatriots and bribed others. They have helped to distort the truth and bring our independence into dishonour. How could I speak otherwise? Dead or alive, free or in prison by order of the imperialists, it is not myself who counts .It is our poor people for whom independence has been transformed into a cage from whose confines the outside world looks on us, sometimes with kindly sympathy, but at other times with joy and pleasure.
But my faith will remain unshakeable. I know and I feel in my heart that sooner or later my people will rid themselves of all their enemies, both internal and external, and that they will rise as one man to say No to the degradation and shame of colonialism, and regain their dignity in the clear light of the sun.
We are not alone.Africa, Asia and the free liberated people from all corners of the world will always be found at the side of the millions of Congolese who will not abandon the struggle until the day when there are no longer any colonialists and their mercenaries in our country.
As to my children whom I leave and whom I may never see again, I should like them to be told that it is for them as it is for every Congolese, to accomplish the sacred task of reconstructing our independence and our sovereignty; for without dignity there is no liberty, without justice there is no dignity, and without independence there are no free men. Neither brutality, nor cruelty nor torture will ever bring me to ask for mercy, for I prefer to die with my head unbowed, my faith unshakable and with profound trust in the destiny of my country, rather than live under subjection and disregarding sacred principles. History will one day have its say, but it will not be the history that is taught in Brussels, Paris, Washington or in the United Nations but the history which will be taught in the countries freed from imperialism and its puppets. Africa will write its own history, and to the north and south of the Sahara, it will be a glorious and dignified history.
Do not weep for me, my dear wife. I know that my country, which is suffering so much, will know how to defend its independence and its liberty. Long live the Congo! Long live Africa!
Patrice.
Michael Secka,
Ministry of Basic and Secondary education
President Yahya Jammeh has continued to be on the receiving end of letters from world leaders felicitating him on the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary. Below are latest messages addressed to the head of state:
Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda
Your Excellency,
On the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of The Gambia, I wish to convey to Your Excellency warm greetings, congratulations and best wishes on behalf of the government, the people of Rwanda. May I take this opportunity to assure you of our commitment to strengthen further the friendly relations existing between our two countries and people. I wish your Excellency, good health and prosperity fro the people of the Republic of The Gambia. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, Malta
Excellency,
On the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of The Gambia, it is with great pleasure that I convey heartfelt greetings and felicitations on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Malta to Your Excellency as well as to the government and the people of The Gambia. I avail myself of this opportunity to wish Your Excellency good health and serenity as well as continued progress to your nation. I also express my confidence that the excellent relations that exist between our two countries will continue to be strengthened for the benefit of our citizens.
Michel Kafando, Burkina Faso
Mr President and Dear Brother,
Commemoration, February 18, 2015, of the national holiday of the Republic of The Gambia, offers me the pleasant opportunity to congratulate you and to salute the excellent relations of solidarity and cooperation that exist between our two States, and to reveal to you my engagement in favour of their continuous backing. While addressing in the name of the Burkinabe Government and my personal tile, my warm and cordial congratulations, I ask, Mr. President and Dear Brother, to accept the expression of my highest consideration.
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