 |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11727 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Feb 2006 : 12:34:16
|
Women Should not enter in to Politics of Insults...
Interview With Amie Sillah
Part (1)
In this interview she spoke of politics in the Gambia, women and the recently signed MOU between the ruling APRC party and the opposition parties in the Gambia etc read to find out.
Foroyaa: What are your impressions of Gambian women in politics as at now?
Aunty Amie: It is very positive now compared to our time when it was unheard of and you have few women in the first republic, and during the Colonial era women were nominated but not elected until in the first republic when the PPP selected Nyimasata Sanneh Bojang to contest on its ticket. She contested and won and she is the first woman Parliamentarian who contested and won in Gambian history. In the second republic we have more progress. Because many women are now enlightened and empowered through education. And five women surfaced in the last parliamentary elections in 2002.
Foroyaa: Did you contest in the first republic and on which ticket.
Aunty Amie: I contested in the first republic under the PDOIS Party ticket.
Foroyaa: Were you successful.
Aunty Amie: No, I even lost my deposit.
Foroyaa: Did this made you discouraged?
Aunty Amie: No, because once you are a role model and in the struggle you have to start from a difficult point and that is educating the people. Any way politics in the Gambia is difficult especially when you are in the opposition and for a woman in particular; it is only daring women who undergo the challenge.
Foroyaa: How challenging is it being an opposition in the Gambia and Africa as a whole?
Aunty Amie: It is really not easy, it is difficult especially for a woman. It needs real courage and commitment to serve the people. If not you will quit the race.
Foroyaa: Some people do say politics is dirty do you share the same view?
Aunty Amie: Yes politics of insult, character assassination, inducement etc is dirty but politics of issues is really decent and rewarding. To me politics should not divide people it should unite and build friendship between us.
Foroyaa: You are a married woman?
Aunty Amie: Yes.
Foroyaa: Did this disturb you as a politician?
Aunty Amie: No it did not. My husband is very supportive and infact when my batteries are dull he is the one who use to help me charge them by giving me more courage and also my party gave me inspiration.
Foroyaa: When will you quit politics?
Aunty Amie: When there is social Justice, gender equality and social inclusion when that happens women would be free, poor people would be free and discrimination would be eradicated and we would have a free world and one will live for all and all will live for one and we will all live in a peaceful and prosperous world.
Foroyaa: Others say that you are well off because you are a teacher, a health officer, a journalist, an activist etc, that you should not be in politics what is your reaction to this?
Aunty Amie: Politics is not a career. It is a matter of serving the people. Yes it is true that I travel worldwide and am offered good Jobs from which I can make money. But I never accept them. Sometimes when I travel abroad some women use to ask me who is the force behind me. I said I am grateful to my husband; he really gives me all the support I need. He is my other half. We always share and do things together.
Foroyaa: Why do you choose to be a politician?
Aunty Amie: It is my late brother who recently passed away who inspired me into politics. That is why I am really bereaved because definitely he was my first mentor. He is Ebou Sillah but known as Comrade. He inspired me to be in politics. Also I was a rights fighter because I hate injustice. When I was going to school I use to fight for peoples’ rights up to the extend of being punished. I also use to discuss about African heroes such as Nkrumah, Lumumba, Cabral, Sekou Touray, Mandela etc with my brother. I don’t want to live a Luxurious life when the majority of my people are suffering due to lack of basic needs and don’t know how to fight for their rights. I want to work for my people so that when I die I will be remembered. Because if you live for something you die for something, then it is your body that goes but you will be remembered forever and this is what my sister has done (Satang Jobateh). This is why she would be remembered for ever.
Foroyaa: Why is it difficult to be an opposition in the Gambia and Africa at large?
Aunty Amie: Because an opposition is prosecuted and is talking to you out of experience. In the First Republic I was detained together with my husband (Sam Sarr) and Halifa Sallah for seven months. I was to go for my master’s degree in public health but it was forfeited and we were also dismissed from our Jobs. For 7 months we were held but they did not have a case against us but we lost our jobs and gratuity. It means we have to start from scratch. It was really not easy. We started the Foroyaa Newspaper and our school. The Newspaper prospered as well as the school. We have children all over the world who have graduated from our school. It is not money but the indelible ink that we are printing on the sands of time. But it is not easy to be in the opposition for a woman and a man but is worst when you are a woman because you are discriminated on gender as well as being an opposition. So you should really be focused, convicted, to be able to give your input; that’s why when you are getting into politics you should not be socially distracted if you do you will be easily discourage. This is why in PDOIS if you are elected under its ticket you have to take part of your allowance and give it to your constituency to assist your people. For me if I am elected to be member of the National Assembly I will continue to be a teacher and also help women. As I speak to you I am in a non partisan organization call WODD. My ambition is to get funds and help women get empowered politically and economically. I believe that when more women come into politics with conviction not as careerists they would serve well. Women have compassion and if they bring that compassion into politics it will become humane. There is no need to quarrel, fight or malice over politics. It should be about issues.
Foroyaa: What do you have to say about the recently signed MOU between the ruling APRC party and the opposition parties?
Aunty Amie: I am really happy about the MOU and I believe if we go by its contents really Gambian politics will be excellent and this was what we in PDOIS have been envisaging for years. It should be the duty of the leaders to enlighten the people of its contents. We are pleased that the National Media did translate the contents into the local languages but that’s not enough still we should enlighten the people at our political meetings. People say politics is bad because of what people make it, but politics, which has to come and serve the people, should not be dirty.
Foroyaa: How would you rate the participation of Gambian women into politics compared to other countries in the sub region?
Aunty Amie: In the Gambia I can say women participation is 100 percent because in election more women vote than men but what is lacking is representation in decision making. They participate to elect and select people but are not represented at the governing levels.
Foroyaa: With all the education and enlightenment you gave women what are your expectations in the 2006 Presidential election?
Aunty Amie: I expect a good turn out of women and we want them not to allow anyone to use them as political pawns; let them vote, base on issues and programmes and not on sentiments, tribe or religion. These parochial considerations cause violence and it is in violence that women are raped by their sons, babies are raped, and women are brutalized. This is one Gambia and one boat. We don’t want this boat to sink. Let political parties present their programmes to people who would decide who they think can bring meaningful development to them. Gambia is unique. There is tolerance in religion. We should praise God for that and our culture and the way we are trained. We should never allow this to disappear. I also wish to thank our brother, our colleague he is a real Pan Africanist, President Obasanjo. We have solved our problem in a mature way. Both Nkrumah and Lumumba encouraged Africans to solve their problems maturely. He came and helped us work it out amicably. People are spending billions on wars which should be spent on prevention. I am congratulating President Obasanjo, we are grateful to him and also President Jammeh and the Opposition parties for coming on board. The contents of the MOU should not only be on paper but should be written on our conscience and in our practice so that Gambia will become an example to other African countries.
Foroyaa: How did you feel when you heard that for the first time in African history a woman has been elected as a President?
Aunty Amie: I was very happy. I meet her in 2000 in New York. I was in a group where she was a discussant. She is really strong and vocal and our group was to discuss on women and politics. We all gave our experiences but she is really a nice woman.
Foroyaa: Which of your experiences did you tell your colleagues?
Aunty Amie: I told them how my husband supported me and that we were imprisoned together with other colleagues for seven months. My baby who was 10 months old was left with my mum. Mama E as she is fondly called gave her experience in and out of prison under Samuel K. Doe. She explained to us that if you do not want to go to prisons don’t enter African politics. Mama E said she would run for only one term as ‘Madiba’ Nelson Mandela. We believe her and took her word. We expect her to bring compassion and magnanimity into Liberian politics.
Foroyaa: What advice do you have for women as we enter into the 2006 Presidential election?
Aunty Amie: Thank you very much brother this is a very important question but as I said on the NADD platform that we are women and we are the mothers and Gambia is known as the Smiling Coast. It is referred to as the smallest but I said we are the greatest. Because we have no tribal or religious wars, yes we talk, we argue but still we have religious tolerance and that our Gambia will continue to be the Smiling Coast. As women we should not enter into politics of insults, character assassination, etc. I am appealing to all Gambian women to ensure that the peace that we cherish is maintained by voting for an informed choice.
Foroyaa: What is your last word for the political leaders regarding the MOU?
Aunty Amie: Just as Halifa, President Jammeh and President Obasanjo have said the MOU should not only be on paper it should be a reality. It should be written in our conscience and our practices then history will absolve us. History has its pen and is writing and we will be accountable for whatever we do. Therefore all parties should safeguard their words since they all said they are committed to the principles of the MOU.
Foroyaa: Thank you Aunty for giving us your time.
Aunty Amie: Is a pleasure and you are always welcome, any day, any time.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 14/2006, 23-26 February, 2006
|
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 24 Feb 2006 : 12:57:35
|
What a fantastic, strong, brave women. Also what a special man her husband must be to stand side by side with her. They are so lucky to have each other. |
 |
|
|
Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 25 Feb 2006 : 02:41:28
|
I have come to known Auntie Amie and respect her at first sight.
She is strong,respectful and steadfast.
We have ofcause many like her but she has her own strenght which many women didn't have.I liked her 4 that.I remember when myself and one of my late friends(namewithheld)cousin to Yaya Jammeh(B4 Yaya was even known beyong the borders of Foni and the barracks.),I and my this friend who was a brave and fearless supporter of PDOIS then we were posted in the provences.... When we came to kombo, he invited me to his house and we went to the PDOIS center...and there was this woman strong and well built.I didn't recognise her and my friend said to me boy she is Amie Sillah I was astonoshed to see her bravery...This was during the PPP days.
God bless/guide Her.
Mankajang Janyanfara |
|
|
|
gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 25 Feb 2006 : 09:01:12
|
| I am very interested to hear that you have met her and she was like I imagined from the interview. Ihope she stays strong and achieves great things. |
|
|
|
sab
United Kingdom
912 Posts |
Posted - 25 Feb 2006 : 18:56:18
|
Amie Sillah a humanitarian lady using her inner strength (at every opportunity) that is given to African ladies. An inspiring interview. How interesting it would have been to be ‘the fly on the wall’ whilst she & her late brother were discussing politics’ & the world in their younger days! I knew her brother Ebou ‘Comrade’ Sillah R.I.P. for many years; he chose the complete opposite to politics’ in life and expressed himself through art.
Gambiabev, go to www.allafrica.com and you will be able to read a tribute to Amie Sillah brother - 20th Feb ‘Tribute to Comrad Sillah’ and on your travels in March you will be able to have a look at his monuments, the first you will encounter will be ‘the turntable’ on route to your hotel from the airport. If you read the article, then you may reconize some others in the areas you may visit. Freedom & peace…..
|
The world would be a poorer place if it was peopled by children whose parents risked nothing in the cause of social justice, for fear of personal loss. (Joe Slovo - African revolutionary) |
|
|
|
gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 26 Feb 2006 : 09:05:00
|
| sab..thank you for that. I will look for the monument with interest. |
|
|
|
taalibeh
Gambia
336 Posts |
Posted - 26 Feb 2006 : 21:37:53
|
Excellent Anti. I hope your mindset is transformed into every Gambian woman in particular. You are rightly a role model for all women and Gambian politicians to emulate.
I hope we realise you paradigm of sensibility and responsibility. I also pray that you achieve your struggle for a seat in the next parliamentary election. |
Taalibeh |
|
|
|
blackerberry2004
69 Posts |
Posted - 27 Feb 2006 : 14:51:34
|
| Maybe we need Auntie Amie to lead NADD! This would galvanized the women vote. After all, Africa is ruined by men. Let's give a woman a chance. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
© 2005-2024 Nijii |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
