|
kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
 Posted - 21 May 2007 : 19:07:46
|
It’s stated that the five Senegalese officials whose trial ended recently and found guilty of possession of firearms were lucky to have received Executive pardon.
Surprised? I am. The constitution of the Gambia provides security firstly to its Citizens and not anyone else. That is at the heart of sovereignty and nationhood. Its nationals first. That is why when there is civil strife, countries evacuate their nationals first. Its not discriminatory. Like the Wolof say: SUMA BOPA MALEN GENAL, DU UT BANJE NA LEN and Youssou Ndour adds: WORR NA YALLAH, SUMA KHARIT GEN. (Attending to my personal interests first is no indication that I hate you. The Lord knows you are my friends”)
The Mandinka also have a similar saying: SIBI JANG DUBENG( Its like a tall palm tree that does not provide shade to its base but rather cools areas far from itself thereby denying itself comfort when that comfort is badly need.YOU SHOULD NOT GIVE WHAT YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO LIVE WITHOUT.
Can we also in the same vein ask our leaders to pardon the many Gambians who "may have equally broken the law" just like these Senegalese who are pardoned? Perhaps there are Gambians with lesser crimes. If we can find strength to pardon those who crossed our borders without the right papers and in addition found to possess arms, and in addition, to have been members of a security apparatus of a foreign country, then we can be humbled enough to pardon those Gambians whose only crime is to exercise free speech as guaranteed by the 1997 constitution.
I don’t know how prerogative of mercy is exercised, but I would recommend that the Government sets up an advisory committee with legal professionals included and human rights activists if any is left, to ensure each person is accorded equal review of their cases and to ensure that it does not lead to constitutional crisis. There is a reason why courts are set up and prisons established and funded by tax payers.
I just thought that breaking the law must have a consequence especially the nature of the offence stated in this case. If they can go, so must many others.
A pardon is most welcome. Dont get me wrong. But the pardon must come to all others. Its been a long time since we saw the exercise of Prerogative of Mercy. We have just sent many officers in the "attempted coup" sentenced to long years whilst others are still on the run or missing. In the spirit of fair play, lets all meet at the table of brotherhood and for once accept each other as part of Gambia and recognise we all have a stake in the design of the course of nationbuilding. Divergence leads to development. There are many who may not know what crimes they committed or if they did not as grave as these Senegalsese. How about Master Tamba etc, those who lost their jobs for no reason and so on.
Then again, what do I know? I am just a 200 pounds gorilla behind a key board. However I think Lucie would be proud of me if she were alive.
|
|
Topic Locked
