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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
 Posted - 16 Jan 2006 : 22:37:19
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For the many out there hearing STGDP , i hope this gives you more confidence and indepth. Fatou is model and committed to true democrcazy. We need many women like her.
Below we share our interview with Fatou.
http://www.allgambian.net/news-stories_395.html
NEWS
Analysis With Our Washington DC based Political Commentator Fatou Jaw Manneh
On NADD, STGDP, and Jammeh's threats and intimidation tactics as the political temperature surges
By Yero Jallow
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January 16, 2006
Once again we invite our political analyst, Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh based in Washington, DC. for a broad analyses of what is going on in Gambian politics, what we can expect from our politicians, and a peep into the Save The Gambia Democracy Project (STGDP) camp.
Allgambian.net: What is your assessment of the last protest rally that took place at the Gambia Embassy in Washington, DC?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: Very successful.
Allgambian.net: What were the accomplishments?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: Well, we came out to voice out our anger and dismay at the president of The Gambia for the unlawful arrest of three party leaders of National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD). Participants from all over the US came together under one roof after the demonstrations to discuss the course we need to take. We discussed about the strategies that we need to implement and how serious we need to execute those strategies. Gambians on the most part think God is going to descend one night and take president Yahya Jammeh to the side walk. That is never going to happen, but I am convinced that if we try to take three steps to the dismissal of Jammeh in Gambia's political body, God will take ten steps to guide us all the way. Consistency and commitment to our plan will be the key factors to Jammeh's removal from office. We cannot just leave it to chance, bickering, pettiness, backstabbing, and crushing each other's efforts.
Allgambian.net: You were delegated with Pa Samba Jow and Sigga Jagne to talk to the Gambian Ambassador. Tell us what transpired?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: We were escorted by the police to the embassy floor. The Gambia Embassy is up in a building that is located on the corner of M Street and 15th Street in Washington, DC. The embassy shares the building with many other offices. We met with Mr. Njagga Mendy, an employee of the embassy on the hallway who accepted our protest letter on behalf of the ambassador who was not in the office at the time. Mr. Pa Samba Jow and Sigga Jagne were irritated for the fact that we did not get in the embassy office, which they made clear to us that we had equal access to. Mr. Mendy emphasized that he is not a politician but he will deliver the letter to the ambassador.
Allgambian.net: What message were Gambians able to deliver by marching at the embassy?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: The message was clear. We are no longer going to sit and watch silently while president Jammeh drags our leaders or any one else for that matter in and out of prison.
Allgambian.net: Why was Mr. Njagga Mendy, an attaché at the embassy, acting violently in the street?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: I don't know. I just heard some scuffles and insults uttered. Mr. Mendy came out of the embassy building and I think some of the demonstrators caught up with him at the street corner and the environment got tensed.
Allgambian.net: What was the mission to the US State Department?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: A letter was delivered for Condoleezza Rice, US Secretary of State, to bring her attention to their (US government) partner in power in The Gambia.
Allgambian.net: What is your message to Gambians in the diaspora?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: To stop the unnecessary bickering and come together as one and make president Jammeh exit as swift and peaceful as possible. We might have different ides as how to go about this but president Jammeh should be our common enemy. The bickering, backstabbing and crushing of each other's efforts is very uncalled for and very unfortunate. We cannot apply an attitude of defeating ourselves well before the war starts.
Allgambian.net: Some people are criticizing your demonstrations as fruitless and others are calling for arms against president Jammeh. What is your take on that?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: Of course we will have our different ideas on how to get rid of president Jammeh but some of us in the struggle choose to demonstrate and lobby for his peaceful exit. The Gambia is not a country that can withstand bloodshed and we should all try and make that possibility redundant.
Allgambian.net: But the president himself is threatening to kill as many people as possible to maintain peace.
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: You should not be surprised by his comments. President Jammeh has proved to us that he is retarded. His comments have always made us the laughing stock of the world. He is not good with words or deeds. Whatever he says is either always very dumb or retarded. This guy is boasting of being a patriot and will sacrifice his life to save The Gambia, which I think is bogus. He is just scared to death. You remember stories of him panting in the bush fearing for his life. Secondly, these guys did not even shoot any chicken out of the barn. So, I don't get this baby remarks of sacrificing their life for whatever. He is scared and that is why he is making those remarks. Since he came into office he never made an impressive speech anyway. I think either way he chooses, Gambians are ready for him.
Allgambian.net: As a member of the STGDP, what is the status of the organization now, and can you summarize some of the achievements that are registered so far?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: Check on our website, sunugambia.com. Our New Year's message says it all. Among other things we were able to do fundraising for NADD for the by-elections, launched two websites, sunugambia.com and freegambia.com, created a radio program, Voice of Gambians in the Diaspora (VOGD), and are now planning for a massive fundraising drive for the Independence celebrations.
Allgambian.net: What is the relationship between STGDP, NADD, and other political parties in The Gambia?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: Cordial, respectful, and encouraging.
Allgambian.net: We heard that at the launching of NADD you, in particular, were not very polite to the NADD members.
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: Well, as far as I know, we did not bring NADD here for some anti president Jammeh parade or an anti APRC show. NADD came here to have frank discussions on Gambia's political environment. We had frank discussions. If that is interpreted as rudeness, so be it. We have to know what obstacles they face and in what ways we can genuinely help the party. I know they understood our concerns and are willing to bury their differences and come together and face the APRC monster.
Allgambian.net: I recently ran a story about STGDP which might not please some of you. What was the reaction from the general body of STGDP?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: I was the one really alarmed with the story because I thought that was not neat at all. It was not really a story. An Allgambian.com reporter sent me a private mail asking me of my resignation from STGDP. We do pass emails frequently. I had to send him a private email divulging my schedule and agenda within STGDP, just for his assurance. I had to explain that I am still committed to the job but was going to be absent from very important meetings and I don't want to be idle on the job with a Vice President (VP) portfolio. So I decided to give up the post temporarily and that coincided with the Chairman's resignation from STGDP. That surprised us all a little bit. Shortly there after, I saw the exchange on the website and I thought that was not cool and it was very unprofessional. I think private emails should remain private emails.
Allgambian.net: What can you tell us about what is happening at the NADD secretariat?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: Nothing more than you know. NADD is exclusively NADD and what we know is that they, NADD, are very committed to see the end of president Jammeh's rule and I think that is very important.
Allgambian.net: Is STGDP going to make it to the end of creation, and if so, what is being done to unite Gambians?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: Hopefully so. We created two websites and a radio program to extend our hands and our message to the Gambian people. Our common interest is of restoring Gambia back to peace, stability, and the recognition of the rule of law. We want Gambians to understand that the organization is open to all at any time. You can either join or form your own organization. STGDP is willing to work with any one person or organization that shares the same interests like we do.
Allgambian.net: I met a lot of your comrades like Banka Manneh, Musa Jeng, Sigga Jagne, etc... What is the binding factor among STGDP officials?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: Respect. Most of STGDP members still do not know each other in person .We all have never met or known each other personally. We live in different states. What keeps us going is the love of Gambia and our commitment to see that the rule of law and people's freedom are being protected. STGDP wants to see that this is achieved either under the APRC government, NADD, or whatever leadership that prevails in The Gambia. We are not and will never sit by and see our country get into ruins by any selfish leader.
Allgambian.net: The resignation of STGDP Chairman, Mr. Kebba Foon, came the same time as yours and that led to a great confusion. Did you guys notified people through your site in order to avoid spread of rumor?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: We did not want to make the resignations alarming as it appears. I think Kebba Foon and I had underestimated the impact it can create. It was a terrible coincidence and now we all laugh about it. We are still all committed and just as Musa and Joe stated to you. STGDP is not an individually driven organization but a group that debates exhaustively on all kinds of issues in spite of its triviality. We have moved on and now strategizing on fundraising issues. Titles and positions are backburner issues at STGDP.
Allgambian.net: What is the competition within STGDP?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: That is news to me. Competition with who and on what? Our objectives are a handful. So, we really don't have time for such. Everyday we wake up and see how far we can go on assignments scheduled to each of us, that coupled with catering to our own survival is enough to keep us busy individually in this country.
Allgambian.net: Is STGDP really in touch with NADD and what are some of the things that you will like to share with the world?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: I am just a member and not a spokesperson for STGDP, but with regard to NADD, all that I can share is that we are not part of the NADD executive and sometimes we get curious about exactly what is going on in the NADD camp. We do not intrude in their decision making processes neither do we dictate anything to them. Actually, you know we cannot. We are a body that NADD knows has genuinely got their back so we don't mince words with them. We are always swift to remind them of their duties and what is expected of them. Sometimes of course we cling on to their backs until we get answers but we are a separate entity. Like all other outsiders, we kick and pant until we get some answers.
Allgambian.net: The hope of Gambians at home and in the diaspora lies in NADD and STGDP to restore true democracy. How much commitment is there from each of these entities? Can we trust you or will we be betrayed by these two bodies?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: I cannot speak for NADD because they are very good sometimes at keeping us all panicking. They are very poor in public relations and that keeps us all suspicious and doubtful. At this point I am not sure if they have much choice against unity. President Jammeh has failed us all in all aspects of good governance. Sometimes we wonder what is slowing down NADD. The arrest of its (NADD's) three leaders is the last straw for the APRC as a political party. That really annoys the population and is really going to degenerate the APRC camp more. NADD will remain intact I hope. STGDP is forever going to be there for the Gambian people. The majority of STGDP members has just started their families here and are not leaving this country soon for retirement in the Gambia. All we want is to see Gambia free of dictators and manipulators regardless of who is the leader. We think we are very committed to our cause. We are going to be around for sometime.
Allgambian.net: How often do you hold consultations with NADD officials, and do they see you as a neutral body?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: We do so frequently to make sure they are on the same page at all times and I hope they see us as neutral. STGDP has no political leanings or favorites. Remember, we have some UDP, PDOIS, NDAM party stalwarts among us. We are free to discuss political issues as they arise and because we do not support any party or individual makes it even more helpful for us to come to conclusions on what kind of strategies we adopt. Of course, all members individually can have their choice of leaders but that is not encouraged at the organizational level. We have zero tolerance for political manipulations. Actually, that never existed within the organization.
Allgambian.net: People are predicting a landslide victory for NADD. Tell us a little bit as an experienced journalist. As a political analyst, what can we expect? Who is NADD and can they win?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: NADD really can win but shock waves here and there only hurt their credibility in the eyes of the Gambian people. They have to be able to talk to the Gambian people on a daily basis or on a weekly basis. The people I think are ready but they are looking for genuine leadership. NADD should keep up that hope. We know they do not have access to all the media like the APRC but there are still newspapers back home that will readily publish whatever they say. STGDP has created a radio program called the VOGD that can be listened to on shortwave radio every Saturday 8 PM to 8:30 PM Gambian time and NADD can freely use that medium to convey their messages to the Gambian people. NADD can win. Gambians are ready to decide their fate. The power lies with the people. It is either going to be now or never.
Allgambian.net: What should be the theme of this campaign?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: Many. Every sector of the government is on its death bed. The developments and investments that president Jammeh boasts of are not benefiting the general public. It is "gangster economics". Create a business or bring in investors in the country and then personally cut and share the profits .The Gambian people are getting poorer and poorer because the wealth is not distributed through the traditional market system of supply and demand. The demand for everything is high and supply is very scarce as it is controlled by few monopolies, mainly Yahya and his agents. Thus, the unaffordable price of goods from flip flops (a kind of a popular local pair of shoes) to bread and not to mention rice. There is no trickling down of any benefits to the man on the street because the spoils are controlled by just a mere one percentage of the population privately. It is a "development mobster cartel". President Jammeh is a great businessman who will broker deals with the unimaginable. Look at the pilgrimage market. Instead of leaving it up to the competition of agents, he dived into the business to get his slice only to leave our pilgrims stranded at the airport, camping, and decamping at the airport like refugees. They are already exhausted before they left for Mecca.
Seventy-five percent (75%) of the population depends on agricultural production as a source of employment for its livelihood and a small scale manufacturing activity of the processing of peanuts, fish and hides. Re-export trade normally constitutes a major segment of economic activity, but a 1999 government-imposed preshipment inspection plan, and instability of the Gambian dalasi (currency) have drawn some of the re-export trade away from Banjul. The government's 1998 seizure of the private peanut firm, Alimenta, eliminated the largest purchaser of Gambian groundnuts. The past two marketing seasons have resulted in abismally lower prices for Gambian farmers. A decline in tourism in 2000 has also held back growth. Unemployment and underemployment rates are extremely high. So Gambia is always on a short run economic progress which is highly dependent on bilateral and multilateral aid. So every subject for discussion is a kill for NADD that is, if they put their acts together and get to work soon rather than later. Just to borrow this statement from US president George W. Bush. "When nations close their markets and opportunity is hoarded by a privileged few, no amount-no amount-of development aid is ever enough. When nations respect their people, open markets, invest in better health and education, every dollar of aid, every dollar of trade revenue and domestic capital is used more effectively."
President Bush
Monterrey, Mexico
March 22, 2002
Allgambian.net: How soon do we expect a flag bearer, and who is this long awaited man? Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: I wish I knew .Hopefully soon as we cannot wait any longer. If NADD is really serious about getting rid of president Jammeh, then this decision should have come easily. I think they will be OK. Anyone among that five can take on president Jammeh very easily.
Allgambian.net: A quick summary of NADD members. Can Ousainu Darbo tackle president Jammeh if he is to be named flag bearer, especially after his latest shake up of NADD?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: Most definitely. Ousainu Darbo can compete president Jammeh. He has the capability and the backup I think. His last shake up was very devastating though. His argument, if he has any, is like most underlying decisions in politics. It is like peeling an onion. If you keep peeling long enough, you peel nothing. Politically, Ousainu cannot communicate to us what is it that he really wants. I don't get him personally. I don't know Ousainu personally and only had a chance to listen to him very briefly on the phone, but from my perception, he is very thin skinned and judgmental. That is not inspiring at all. There are three choices for Ousainu for now. He either keeps quiet and play the game with the boys OR have some frank discussions with his colleagues about the whole NADD scenario and what he thinks is the ploy that they are missing OR be ejected from his party as their leader to the presidential elections. The theatrics got to stop. There is really no time and patience for his outbursts all the time. He scares the Gambian community and makes NADD more and more fragile. People become more suspicious, doubtful, and untrustworthy of NADD. One thing is clear though, president Jammeh will always drag Ousainu to court for that murder case but there are two ways Ousainu can counter that.
Number 1), Ousainu should declare president Jammeh persona non grata in the Gambian political scene by questioning Yahya's Gambian citizenship. Jammeh can carry the burden of proof. Because to be honest, Gambians don't know who Jammeh is neither do we know where he hailed from? Let him produce a tangible birth certificate, the hospital, clinic, or home where he was born, name of parents and relatives. Clearly who can tell you who is Jammeh?
Number 2), Ousainu has to put together some lawyers and sue president Jammeh with a billion dollar lawsuit for unjustified jail terms and emotional distress for OJ and Waa Juwara, and recently Hamat Bah and Halifa Sallah. These NADD leaders should start gathering information on all the deaths and jail terms of Gambians. Ousainu has to be a little manly if he wants to face president Jammeh. The guy (president Jammeh) is a brute. So anyone who is vying for his seat should buckle up to that. They should recognize that he is a bully and a tactician and the best method to tackle a bully is to be a bully. Instead of waiting for president Jammeh to be heaping accusations upon accusations on them, they should sue Jammeh in local and international courts and keep him busy clarifying all the murder cases during his ten year rule.
Allgambian.net: How about Halifa?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: Halifa is an honourable man and with the support of his colleagues, he is easily marketable. He fits every category of a leader and he is of presidential timber.
Allgambian.net: He (Halifa Sallah) refused to be represented by Darboe during their trial. Any comments?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: Representing himself was a complete turnoff. If he did not want Darboe to represent him, then he should have opted for other lawyers. He is a respectable statesman and I think his refusal for a lawyer or representing himself was very inappropriate and might be interpreted as arrogance. Halifa should keep his obsession with anything legal a private hobby and not a political one. People like him because they trust him and not merely because we are flabbergasted with his understanding of the law.
Allgambian.net: Waa Juwara?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: Waa is Waa and will remain Waa. He is frank, courageous, cuts to the chase and will say it as it is, which of course has its merits and demerits as a leader. He can stand up to Yahya anyhow and anywhere.
Allgambian.net: He (Waa Juwara) openly critisizes Ousainu for his lack of commitment to NADD. Do you believe what he said?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: He is a NADD insider so he might know what we all don't know and I can understand his frustrations. But I don't think making personal comments about Ousainu oustside of NADD was very appropriate. He could have done better than that. Allgambian.net: Hamat Bah?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: Hamat is loved by many but his inaccessibility is confusing. He is a fighter and will meet presidentJammeh anywhere. What tainted his clout a little bit was his compartmentalized politics which many people perceive as tribalistic. I think that hampered his by-elections prospects that he could not pull it off even with the weight of his NADD friends behind him. But we know the guy does not mince words with president Jammeh and the APRC apparatus.
Allgambian.net: Omar Jallow ,OJ?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: I think of all the candidates, OJ is the one mentally ready for president Jammeh for various reasons. Historically, he suffered the most from president Jammeh. Remember this guy inherited all the PPP garbage that Jawara left behind, physically and mentally and Jawara is under the table somewhere praying that president Jammeh disappears from the planet even though he is pretending that he is their mentor. Unfortunately, OJ still believes in the People's Progressive Party (PPP). Now the whole world knows that PPP is far better for the Gambia than APRC comparing the rate of destruction of each party. But PPP is a complete turn off in Gambian politics in as much as we cannot stand the APRC. We do not have very good memories of PPP either. That became a little risk for OJ's chance of becoming a flag bearer and it is detrimental to him politically, because he is forever going to carry the burden of defending PPP at all times. Instead of forming a new party after the PPP demise, he still clings to the name and the ideology of the PPP. He has a fierce loyalty as a person as well as in politics and cannot let PPP go. But believe me he can take on president Jammeh anyhow, anywhere, and at any time.
Allgambian.net: What advice do you have for young folks, married to the cause of the pen and newspapers?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: Journalism will never fade away. Keep on writing your opinions and stories. Actually, journalism survives dictators. Journalists are still narrating and writing about Hitler.
Allgambian.net: What do you think of the Observer editorial on the first year commemoration of Deyda's death? Are those comments in general fair to Gambian journalists?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: We should remember and accept that the Observer represents the Jammeh government. Observer speaks for APRC influence peddlers and greedy people disguising themselves as "national developers". Observer thought remembering the good son of the Gambia,Deyda, is a hindrance to "our peace and stability". That is very unfortunate. Saja Taal is a hustler. He is a broke professor. What do we expect? A political scientist?
Allgambian.net: What does it take to be a good writer, and what encouragement do you have for Allgambian?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: Writing is a noble profession and it should be taken seriously. We should always be armed with facts though whatever we write sometimes can be detrimental to the society we live in. It is OK to ruin someone's day with facts but very unfair to ruin their lives with information that is consciously or unconsciously distorted. It is not quite right that whatever we stumble on is news for public consumption at a given time. We have to be very cautious, calculating of the consequences of what we decide to put out there. To Allgambian.com I say thank you, "Jerrejeff", "OnJaarama", "Alabarrka" for all the efforts you undertake to bring us stories within and outside of the Gambia. What impresses me most is your commitment. America is very tough for immigrants and for the fact that you can juggle your jobs and school and still have time to dig for stories and your unflinching love and commitment to Gambia and Gambians is very inspiring. Keep up the good job, but you still have to narrate to us separately what is news, what is opinion and what is your editorial. Do not always slump them together. It can be a turn off. And sometimes you should sleep over information. You just don't run with it at all times.
On the political front, you should interview more commentators especially on the ground. Take it upon yourselves to get personal interviews with all the political heavyweights in the country. Especially NADD. We have to know personally what is going in their heads. Sometimes you scratch on STGDP thinking we know much about NADD which is not the case. I know it is tough but you take the responsibility upon yourselves already. So go out there and personally talk to our politicians and people on the ground across the country and help us gauge the Gambian inside politics.
Allgambian.net: We like our critics, and they help us improve on ourselves, but some of it is not constructive. Any comment?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: Well, criticism is never a fair game and that is why the word criticizes. Just have the capability of deriving the positive or the best from criticisms and dumping the rest in the trash can. You should welcome constructive criticism but please do not pay heed to anyone trying to discourage you from what you do best and what you love doing especially if the community is reaping the benefits too.
Allgambian.net: In a nutshell, what signal do you want to give to Gambians?
Ms. Fatou Jaw Manneh: Let us buckle up. The ride might be rough but we should not let ourselves be defeated. These coming months can be interesting and a very important political moment in our history. Let us encourage each other because at the end of
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"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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