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Momodou
Denmark
11645 Posts |
 Posted - 10 Jun 2007 : 16:27:37
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FOCUS ON POLITICS
THE 1981 POLITICAL CRISIS THE EVENT THAT SHOOK THE COUNTRY
With Suwaibou Touray
Continued from: http://www.gambia.dk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3785
The 1981 action of few civilians, who sought for the collaboration of some Field Force officers and struck on a fateful day of 30 July 1981, was indeed a crisis of monumental proportions. It was also described by sociologists and observers alike as an eye opener for leaders who cared less about public opinion.
Events leading to 30 July 1981 suggested that the youths of this country expressed in every way not only their disappointment but also their dissatisfaction with the status-quo. Instead of engaging them, as suggested by Mr. Melville Jones, editor of the Outlook, the regime decided to suppress them.
The latest suppression of The Gambia College Students in March 1981 was mentioned by the leader of the rebellion as one of the reasons that had motivated their action. But observers of the scene also confirmed to this columnist that Kukoi had planned his assault almost a year before July 30 event.
The Assault had indeed taken the ruling elites by surprise. The Gambia’s lack of an army at the time had always been a factor cited as the main reason why the country had not experienced coup d’etat or civil strive when many African countries had undergone it, and for some more than once.
Gambians including the ruling party elites were under the illusion that since Gambia is a Muslim country, and the people, peaceful, this was why God had helped maintain peace in the country. They even called on other countries to emulate our peaceful nature.
But the illusion came to an end when in the early hours of 30 July 1981 when a group of civilians and some Field Force elements entered the Field Force Depot in Bakau and went straight to the house of the then Deputy Field Force Commander, Mr. Kekala Baldeh and demanded for the keys to the Armoury. It was reported that Mr. Baldeh refused to budge, possibly not fully aware of the repercussion of his refusal. He was said to be shot instantly at close range. The intruders entered his house at the camp and searched for the keys which were eventually found by them. The attackers then rushed, leaving behind perhaps the first casualty of the crises.
The culprits or rebels went straight to the armoury, opened it and had all the weapons at their disposal. The weapons, without which, no group of people could coerce or subdue others, had now fallen in the hands of self appointed saviours of the people. This had incapacitated or demobilized the operations of the Government.
What Next?
From all indications, a few people cannot easily subdue a bigger force, let alone conquer a whole people, even if they had all the weapons at their disposal. This must have been the reason why the perpetrators had to distribute those weapons to anybody who was willing to join them. The distribution of weapons commenced unabated. The dissident Field Force elements from the Bakau depot together with Kukoi, his civilian collaborators and the others such as Mr. Pengu George, began to distribute weapons. According to the Outlook, suspicions began to surface when Mr. George became instrumental in the distribution of weapons. It was speculated that he was given weapons to his own supporters and may have been preparing to undermine Kukoi Samba Sanyang’s leadership. On his next arrival to collect weapons, and with the suspicion that he was compiling them as well, he was shot, thereby becoming the second possible casualty of the crises, also at the Bakau depot.
But this action must have sparked not only confusion but also struggle between the various factions. What was also suspected was the understanding or possible collaboration between Mr. George and the MOJA. Whether MOJA, as an organisation, took part or not, many supporters of the organisation participated in it.
The struggle, logically, could not stop at the Bakau Camp alone. It must proceed. This was why Kukoi and contemporaries had to take weapons to Brufut and to control the national radio, as quickly as possible.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RADIO
Radio Gambia, the only National radio in The Gambia which could reach across the country was the best and most appropriate medium to propagate one’s ideas and information. The PPP reserved this radio exclusively for themselves. Kukoi and his contemporaries who were hardly unknown to the populace stormed the radio shortly before day break and proclaimed the taking over of the helm of state.
At this stage, three crucial objectives had to be attained
1. A propaganda battle must ensue to publicize the existence, ideology and the power of the group. This propaganda must also persuade the masses that they present a credible alternative to the regime because of the attractiveness of their programme and so on.
2. The movement must convince the people that they were in control and effectively so, to the extent of giving courage to the masses to come out and support them.
3. the authorities and their supporters must feel discouraged and even to lose fate in the regime. This would minimize possible attempt to reverse the gains made by them, the rebels.
Kukoi who was only 28 years at the time, was said to be the youngest head of state if he had succeeded. Sergeant Doe of Liberia was the youngest African Head of State at the time, who was only 30 years.
In his speech which is available only in bits and pieces in various documents and reports, Kukoi first confirmed the takeover of state power. He suspended the constitution and imposed dawn to dust curfew. He informed the people of his group which he announced as the S.R.C (Supreme Revolutionary Council). He declared a State of Emergency and also declared that Gambia’s relationship with all countries remained the same. He then called for the support of the masses and emphasised that he was not after any individual but only to remove the dysfunctional and archaic autocratic regime of Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara. He called on the supporters of the regime to give up and emphasised over and over again that he was in control as from hence forth. He said Enough is Enough. Sir Dawda, the incumbent president was in London at the time of the uprising. He went to attend a Royal Wedding Ceremony which occurred or coincided with the month of Ramadan. One could imagine shock that must have struck him in that gathering. When interviewed by the press, Sir Dawda said “My information from The Gambia according to the acting President and others the Inspector General of Police, it seems to be that the coup has not yet succeeded yet, the rebels are only in control of the radio Gambia Station and they claim to be in control of the airport but the capital Banjul, Vice President and others are still in Banjul and are collaborating with few officers, to bring the situation to normal.”
As far as the propaganda battle was concerned, Kukoi was believed to have been in control. There was no sign of any resistance in the country. According to Outlook which was apologetic to the government especially after the dust was settled, said most people believed that Kukoi had already taken over the helm of state. It went on to say that, “This was why radio Gambia was overcrowded with those who expected to be countenanced by the SRC, after victory, to associate themselves during the heat of the battle.
Observers had noticed that the then IGP Commander Tambajang was in action in Banjul but it was not clear which side he was fighting for or against. According to Sam Jones, he was seen at different places at different times in different motor vehicles etc.
This must have been the information given to Sir Dawda as the sign of resistance in the Capital.
See next issue for more on the crises.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No.58/2007, 21 – 22 May 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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