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Momodou
Denmark
11827 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Jan 2011 : 17:32:27
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To Say My Government Did Nothing is Unfair – Former President
By Saikou Jammeh
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
 Ever since his return home from exile in 2002, The Gambia’s former President Sir Dawda K Jawara has kept a low profile at his residence in Fajara. But his ears are wide open to raging criticisms against him and his government by his ousters and their supporters.
Whether it was part of a condition attached to his return home or he was not given a platform, Sir Dawda never responded to these expressions of simmering discontent that have become a music every Gambian must listen to, like it or not. At last, he fires back!
“To say my government hasn’t done any development is unreasonable,” finally, a reply from The Gambia’s founding father.
Born in 1924 in Barajally Tenda village, some 150 miles from the capital Banjul, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, was the sixth son of a well-to-do businessman Almami Jawara and the last son of his mother, Mama Fatty.
Thanks to his father’s trader friend, Jawara, at the age of eight, came to the colonial capital, Bathurst (now Banjul) to acquire formal education. He attended Muhammadan Primary school and Methodist Boys High School before leaving for Ghana and UK respectively to study veterinary medicine.
He returned home in 1953, and served as principal veterinary officer. He gave-up the position to accept an offer to lead a political party. And in the first nation-wide election, when the suffrage was extended to the provinces, his party, (then Protectorate People’s Party), Progressive People’s Party (PPP), won the largest number of seat in parliament. He was appointed education minster and then chief minister. He led The Gambia to independence in 1965, republican in 1970.
He ruled the country for over thirty years before his tenure was brought to an illegitimate, abrupt end by five junior soldiers who now peeled-off their skin to fit among the civilian cohort.
Jawara, now 87 years-old, last week granted an exclusive interview, for the first time since his return home from exile, to journalists from private-independent press, led by a veteran journalist, Swaebou Conateh, the editor/publisher of The Gambia News & Report Weekly magazine.
The interview was to sound his opinion on his award as “Person of the Year 2010” which is an annual award the magazine confers on people who have contributed to the development of the country. Jawara was the twentieth winner. Previous winners range from business persons, a human rights activist, and politicians, among others.
When asked about his take on the seemingly ceaseless allegations of rampant corruption in his government, which infact necessitated the coup, Jawara said that is not enough a justification for the coup.
“If you go back to your archives,” said Jawara, who has been globally acclaimed a democrat and a respecter of human rights, but which unfortunately is a travesty under his successor. “All the coups in the world, especially in Africa – whether military against civilian government or military against a military government – are done because there was corruption. But when they come to power they become much more corrupt than the government they overthrew.”
According to him, the 1994 coup came as a surprise to him. But how surprise could he be? For in his celebrated autobiography, “Kairaba,” published last year, he admitted noticing abnormalities upon his return from an overseas trip on the eve of the coup - Thursday 21st July 1994.
As he explained: “On our arrival at Banjul International Airport on 21 July 1994, I caught myself having to piece together a chain of strange events unfolding right before my eyes.
“To begin with, the Vice President and Minister of Defense, Saihou Sabally was not there to receive me. Instead, I was received at the foot of the aircraft by Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Assan Jallow.
“Under the shrill notes of the bugles Hassan walked me to the waiting guard of honour. In all my years of arrival and departure, I had never seen a more excited honour guard commander in action – Captain Sonko clearly appeared nervous.
“I learnt much later that there had been some tension at the airport before our flight landed. The Nigerian Army officer had given instructions to disarm a group of junior officers of The Gambia National Army because it was unusual for them to be armed on official airport welcoming duties.
“Upon alighting from the vehicle at State House, I discovered that Hassan Jallow who had received me officially at the airport was not there. I learnt that he had broken off the motorcade and gone home.”
He explained further: “Tired as I was, the question that kept me awake for a while before I could sleep was the absence of the vice president and the failure of the Attorney General to come for the debriefing at State House.”
According to him, on the following day, Friday 22 July 1994, National Security Service Director Kebba Ceesay and the National Security Adviser arrived in his private quarters at 9:15 am to brief him about rumours of the coup.
“At about 9:40 am my Aide de Camp, Captain Kassama burst in upstairs looking agitated. He urged me leave for the US warship. It was the first time that I heard anything of a warship in our ports. Captain Kassama was beside himself and was insisting that there was a coup taking place and the soldiers were approaching Banjul,” he explained in his book.
The presidential guard was clearly outnumbered and outgunned by the attackers, Jawara wrote. “It would have been suicide not to surrender or relocate.”
That was how the Jawara was forced to leave the country he founded. Alongside his family, and some cabinet ministers, he assailed to the neighboring country, Senegal where he was offered asylum. And on August 27, 1994, he proceeded to his former colonial master, Britain.
His departure from The Gambia saw the beginning of what could be described as a witch-hunt, but in the name of commissions of inquiry against his officials. Their assets were freezed and confiscated, some detained.
Jawara’s return home following an amnesty does nothing to abate the mounting criticisms against him and his government, by the current government and its supporters, who are claiming lifting The Gambia from nothing to something deemed unimaginable.
And until today, Jawara’s government stands accused of not only corruption, but failed to develop the country. These accusations, according to Jawara, are unfair.
“We did what we could under the circumstances,” Sir Dawda said. “We were making a steady progress. [Critiques] keep on saying we could not even provide a television. Yes, we don’t provide a TV therefore what!”
“TV was not our priority at the time. It would come as others. We were not having independence, a national flag. We built Central Bank, construct roads, spread education and built hospitals across the country. We had our own currency which was viable while bigger countries could not have a national currency.”
According to him, national development is never completed at any stage and independent minded people will judge him right.
Commenting on the award, Jawara said, he was overwhelmed when the news was broke-out to him. “Like I said, I was inundated with telephone calls. I thank News and Report for selecting me ‘Person of the Year 2010’. It is an honour.”
Source: Dailynews
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Senegambia
175 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jan 2011 : 18:16:52
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Another good old gambian elder, among the quiet lot, across the length and breath of the tiny nation. May we never run out of people like him. Beautifully put by an internet commentator [Michael Scales I think], Jawara was too far ahead; so ahead of his generation.
Without any doubt! Saying that his gov't did nothing is nothing but lacking good judgement.
Another interesting article.
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Tesito
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jan 2011 : 19:23:50
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This is a very nice interview....I enjoyed reading it.
Yero. |
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2011 : 00:31:50
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If there was nothing, what then prompted the greedy pigs to seize power by guns?
Yaya Jammeh is the most unfortunate creator to have surfaced on Gambian soil.
It is hard to understand how people feed on lies upon lies, upon lies!
Big shame to Yaya and all those who seek to back his lies and deception. |
Karamba |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2011 : 00:41:30
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quote:
good....old....elder....
Is that some kind of political campaign reaction to my 'senior-citizen' 'soon-to-be-retired' thing? lol. |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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Senegambia
175 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2011 : 08:18:59
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No it wasn't. But it could very well be :D
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Tesito
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dbaldeh
USA
934 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2011 : 09:42:12
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Glad EX President Jawara is fighting back now... too much dust has been thrown at him by the junta in exchange for a stipent.
History is still recording that we have the likes of Yahya Jammeh because of many failures of the former regime to lift Gambia from its colonial stage.
The PPP regime for 30 years took the Gambian people for granted and did not have a vision for improving poverty, civic education and our healthcare system.
At the time, Jawara could have provided clean drinking water for every Gambian, but that wasn't his priority? He could have made education compulsory so every child is educated in the Gambia, but no there were first class and second class citizens. It was whom you know then and it is whom you know now!!!
I still humbly believe that the man overstayed his mandate and oversaw a systematic destruction of our agricultural system from a self sustaining farming community to a "Tusee mano" dependent citizenary.
Off course Jawara and the PPP looks far greater than what we have now, he had respect for human rights to some extend, and valued elections (not fair and balance democracy). He won every election on a unlevel playing field. Worst now ... yes. He appoints his commissioners as election returning officers. There were no equal fair coverage in the National media . not the radio (Not to talk about a TV station).
Considering what we have now he was probably a saint, but two wrongs will never make a right... Gambians are still suffering under a dictator because the first republic simply did not have an idea of where to take the country... Less we forget foundations are the bedrock of a solid building. Ours was shaky and so is everything else that follows...
I wish he was different, I wish he had accorded Gambians the same privileges he had in the UK and the State House. History will judge him and his government and any subsequent governments. I wish Gambia is different from what it is... but it is not and many people are responsible for that....
Thanks for the interview sir Dawda but am not very convince that you did everything you could at the time!!! Not letting our agricultural industry collapse, not letting GPMB looted, not allowing looters to loot the Gambia Commercial and Investment Bank... not allowing the cooperative Union to become a bank for crooks... not seeing the need to give us higher educational institutions or decent hospitals... not diverting educational scholarships to privilege kids.
It is not better now but that is no excuse for anyone not Jammeh, not Jawara... We hold all accountable for their actions... The final grade for his regime simply put was a failure!!!! |
Baldeh,
"Be the change you want to see in the world" Ghandi
Visit http://www.gainako.com for your daily news and politics |
Edited by - dbaldeh on 20 Jan 2011 09:47:11 |
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mavaric
Turkmenistan
94 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2011 : 13:01:01
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| It is true, he didn't do sh!t. He was and still seems to be drunk on high bureaucracy . They produce awesome documents and have mastered the fine art of protocol and diplomacy, however never get sh!t done that makes a difference. |
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somita
United Kingdom
163 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2011 : 13:50:49
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I agree with former president, i believe that his regime did alot for the Gambia and I history has amble recordings to validate this point but to further state that given the resouces they have done all they can for the country is injustice and outrageous. The support for the junta in the early days indicates dissatisfaction amongst majority of the population, if he saying what is you sow is what you havest is true, i strongly believe his regime got a bitter taste of the fruits they sow.
His regime dependded on the ignorance of Gambians which in the end expediated their exit from power. So while I believe they somethings right, I also belive that given the resouces and timeframe, they could have done alot better. |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2011 : 14:02:44
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GUYS TRY TO BE REALISTIC & DRAW LINE WITH ERA OF SOMEONE WHO STARTED 60s PRE-COLONIAL TOWARDS 90s BEFORE HE WAS TOPPLED AT THAT TIME; WITH THE ADVANCEMENT IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, MORE DEVELOPMENT ON HUMAN RESOURCES, MANAGEMENT/PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS (E.G WORLD BANK, ADB ETC) GOODS, SERVICES, WEALTH & PROSPERITY ACROSS GLOBE. THEY WERE IN DIFFERENT TIMES, ERA & PRIORITIES!
OUR OLD MAN & ELDERLY STATESMAN IS DEFINITELY RIGHT TO MIDLY DEFEND THAT HIS GOVERNMENT DID SOMETHING & NOT NOTHING. THEY BUILD ALL THE FOUNDATION, GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES, INSTITUTIONS,CIVIL SERVICE, MANY PARASTATAL (FOR E.G OR PARTICULARLY GAMTEL, SSHFC, PORTS, CIVIL AVIATION ETC), HUMAN RIGHTS HEADQUARTERS, NGOS, TANGOS, CONCEIVED, DESIGN ALL PROJECTS (INCLUDING UNIVERSITY & T.V), PROTOCOL THE BI-LATERAL CO-OPERATIONS & LOBBIED VARIOUS GRANTS, AIDS & FUNDING; BEFORE JAMMEH CAME TO POWER! THE ONLY THINGs MISSING WERE AN ARMY, KANILAI STATE HOUSE, BABANDING, TAIWAN, ETC! 
THEREFORE IT IS MALICIOUS & UNFAIR TO DISCREDIT HIM
I AGREE THAT HE COULD HAVE DONE BETTER. THE TIME WAS RIGHT FOR HIS DEPARTURE BECAUSE HE OVER-STAYED AND RAMPANT CORRUPTION WITH HIS GOVERNMENT. REMEMBER GUYS; "TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, RAMPANT CORRUPTION" SLOGANS IS THERE ACCOUNTABILITY WITH JAMMEH'S MILLIONS
FURTHER REFERENCES FROM RELATED BANTABA GAMBIAN POLITICS TOPIC;
1. Bilaii Haliss Neehna - Jammeh Hamna Chi Daraa! under http://www.gambia.dk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10022
2. Ungrateful Servant of the People under http://www.gambia.dk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10010&whichpage=1
"LET JUSTICE GUIDE OUR ACTIONS TOWARDS THE COMMON GOOD!"
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Edited by - kobo on 20 Jan 2011 16:21:06 |
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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2011 : 17:56:38
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Give the oldman his dues....Some of you young ones did not know what it takes to build a nation from nothing.At the time of independance, howmany of you can tell me what infrastructure we had in the Gambia?
Yes he did not build any TV or 1,2,3,4, up to ten things he should have done and didnot do. And as you guyssaid he stayed too long BUT so what? GHow many of you know how long this one intend to stay?
Fellow citizens the very reasons he had been removed from office is now more rampant or even worst than during his days.
90% of Gambians today wished he stayed now that we have a system we hated more than his, Even now if allowed Gambians would want him back than Jammeh including his very critics.
If so why not give back the oldman what he deserves. He made us what we all are now crying for FREEDOM, HUMAN RIGHTS. Gambians were a very proud people in Jawara days.
And today those who stand to critice Jawara were the very ones whose Fathers/uncles ect looted the state coffers and used it to educated them at the expence of poor parents who suffered to put Jawara in power in the first place.
The same dogs are backing Yahya Jammeh. So Jawara now knows some people do not have descency in their veins.
I belief Jawara should not have listened to them when he choose to step down and am sure he is thinking the same now. |
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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2011 : 19:25:37
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| I once read somewhere that "the road of I don't care leads to the city of had I known" , which made me recall those calm days of yore when people used to blast the PPP and Jawara for a lot of things , some reasonable some simply bizarre to put it mildly ; now folks we have a president who goes beyond that limit of doing what people criticised about the then regime , to now aspire to change the political spectrum by ushering in a Kingship , my friends, this is a big lesson for us. Some one added that if you marry a woman and then out of spite divorce her but gave her a tag of urinating on your matrimonial bed , you might end up marrying another who could very well defecate on that sacred bed of yours. I have a lot of queries against the past regime but the faults of the current one has by far drowned those concerns in terms of their magnitude in the scale of things, this is my own opinion; thank you. |
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dembis
Sweden
71 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2011 : 20:25:19
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let jawara go to his new wife ajai assombe jammeh and sleep with her as we long as he want its better than starting a new defence. imaging jawara been marry to a palm oil seller or what more could i say.he and jammeh are all hypocrites we dont need any statement from them instead they should apologised to the gambians always. nothing is wrong marrying to a palm oil seller but he should be busy mediating for his ccamrades for pardoned so they can come back like him because many of them are getting older. we all know ppp and their bad governance and how he overstayed.he is just another jammeh with a diffrent style. africans dont understand that the state house doesnt belong to them or is not what you hier. all african presidents are pshychopats and they only thinkabout their families. if jawara resigned at that time he wanted to or faking to know who is loyal to him then he could have been like senghore of senegal well respected. |
dembis |
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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2011 : 23:50:03
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Dembis
Using faul languages against the elderly is not Gambian or African at all. Regardless of ethnicity, Gambians are known to give the elderly some form of respect.
Jawara is somebody's grandad not to talk of Father, uncle and the like.Please use better form of criticizing him as he is not immune from criticism.
Much more how sure are you he is really married to ya Assombi? Find out the real truth.
It not every thing you read on news papers are concrete truth some can be Radio kan kang
my greetings.
Admin, take note! |
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Moe
USA
2326 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2011 : 07:10:09
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The Swedish meat ball gulper is just drunk again, whats really wrong with you hopeless Gambians on a very serious note dembis. Ya'll a bunch of ungrateful hopeless slanderous individuals. It reminds me to be cautious of my very own brothers and knowing that being complemented today means being made an asss out of another day. Jammeh discredited the regime and had no option but to. I told ya'll on several occasions the last coup was a PEOPLES coup and if you want me to explain I will.
Of course Sir Dawda was one of the greatest leaders and will perhaps be the greatest leader for the next 100 years for he is the founding father of the nation which emerged with a literate population of less than 13% if not less. They had very poor policies and your fathers and uncles did not help either being the kleptomaniacs and sycophants they were and the trend still continues......
Jammeh's story is more like a reality show and all the "Kakatarrs" are allowed to show their true colors. A true democratic dispensation is in the making but you can bet on this understanding what democracy entails is beyond the comprehension of most half literate Gambians especially the vultures online. I ain't a fervent believer or supporter of the regime but rest assured when I see good policies in place I know exactly what it means for the Gambian people. Look overall listen to me carefully and not with your heart but with your minds If Jawara was a champion of democracy, Then Jammeh is the father of modern democracy in the making............................................Peace |
I am Jebel Musa better yet rock of Gibraltar,either or,still a stronghold and a Pillar commanding direction
The GPU wants Me Hunted Down for what I don't know ..... |
Edited by - Moe on 21 Jan 2011 07:11:47 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11827 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2011 : 17:35:54
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Dembis, it seems you believe in the lie that D.K. Jawara had indeed married to Yaya Jammeh’s Mother. We have seen parents giving out their children to marriage but since when did we see a son giving out his mother’s hand to a man in the Gambia?
The journalist who wrote the slanderous article ought to be ashamed of him/herself because these are the kind of articles that discredit the noble profession of thousands of other journalists throughout the world.
It has always been rumored that Yaya’s mother is married to the Imam of Banjul Alh. Cherno Kah but there is no news that they are divorced and a woman does not have two husbands, at least not in The Gambia. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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