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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Jan 2008 : 15:46:13
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I have read an article in the Gambia Echo by Sam Sarr which for all intents and purposes tried to debunk theories and charges of failure on the part of the GNA and its senior cadres to perform their sworn duties to wit defend our motherland Gambia from anarchy as witnessed today. My own unconsidered opinion is that he has yet to defend that charge . The fact remains that he and many others were de facto enlisted into the Gambia National Army as soldiers, the sequel of events that led to the take over by junior officers which was described as a leap frogging over the senior cadre was brushed aside by Sam with the excuse that the Army was then being run by Nigerian officers per se. That fact not withstanding it is also a fact that the then army as it were was a young one in that the elements were going through the stages of maturation ,by the foregoing I mean they needed more training and more exposed officers to work with them whereby the ascendancy to top ranks would be achieved on merit and not unproven methods of simply promoting individuals based on the whims and caprices of a commanding officer. Therefore the advent of the British army training Teams, Turkish Gendarmerie Training Teams and eventually the Nigerian Army . The presence of any of the aforesaid teams did not preclude the performance of the daily duties of the regular Gambian Soldier ranging from the most senior officer to the most junior the recruit so to speak. I say this and back it with what went on during an episode that Sam himself mentioned reference to the affair of Sana Sabally and a senior British Army training Officer who was going get Sana dismissed, but there, Lt col. Sarr and other Gambian officers were able to intercede and get him of the hooks. That matter amply showed that there was an effective link between the said Foreign officers and the Gambian officers. The way the army works is such that one cannot get good results without chain work. There is a chain of command and the bottom ranks take their orders on a routine basis from those above them. The Nigerian Team could not have performed any service without liaising with their Gambian counterparts, perhaps Sam should shed more light on that relationship, which I daresay if it was professional and I to believe it was; then there was no one working in a vacuum .The responsibility of the soldier was to obey orders and respect those place above them as commanders. What I could read from his piece was that he had some resentments regarding that arrangement of being under the Nigerian Soldiers. The fact remains that the whole of the Gambian Army except for Colonel Ndow Njie were mature enough to get on without the said help on military assistance. which they jointly sabotaged.what I failed to get was the deep sense of superiority that Sam tries to portray about himself within the context of the GNA cadre whilst sending others to the cleaners. The skeleton is still in the cupboard and it is crying to be let out . Come clean brother have you and your partners defended our country , our hegemony our democracy, we trusted you with our defense gave you weapons which we trusted you with only for you to abdicate that trust.
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ebou4th
USA
106 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2008 : 17:15:19
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Sam should do himself a favor and keep quite. The events of 22 July 1994 was due to a failure that he should accept. The first thing the US Officers are though at the academy and Officer Candidate School is to take responsibility and not make excuses. An officer is first and foremost a leader of men he cannot manage his command to effectiveness; they must be lead. 22 July 1994 was a failure period, please accept it and move on.
The history of the American Army is full of examples of soldiers who, in the face of unbelievable odds, when it seemed all might be lost, managed to carry on nonetheless out of a sheer sense of DUTY. Whether it was because they felt the call of patriotism or a sense of duty to their fellow soldiers and most of all their country.
Words cannot describe the intense desire that real soldiers have to do what it takes to defend their country against all odds. If you were to ask a bona fide and a seasoned war "hero" why he or she did what they did, they'd probably have a hard time explaining it. There's a good chance they'd say: "I don't know about being a hero. I was just trying to do my duty."
“Duty, Honor, Country: Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying points: to build courage when courage seems to fail; to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith; to create hope when hope becomes forlorn.” General Douglas MacArthur
At the end of World War II, many in the US hailed the Commander of Allied Forces in Europe, GENERAL DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, as a national hero. He didn't quite see it that way. His response was: "I'm just a Kansas farm boy who did his duty."
"Do your duty in all things," the Confederate GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE is said to have advised his son. "You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less."
GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON, JR., another acclaimed hero from World War II, also believed strongly in the importance of doing ones duty. "If I do my full duty," he said, "the rest will take care of itself."
If we use Pattons theory then some one failed Gambians. No excuses will free of that responsibility. Where did we go wrong on or before 22 July 1994? The Gambian Army failed on July 22 1994, it is not personal. It is a fact so Sam Sarr please accept it and move on.
Anyone who has thought about soldiering knows the importance of COURAGE both on an off the battlefield. It takes courage to withstand the rigors of war. It takes courage to assume responsibility for life and death decisions. It often takes courage to "do the right thing. In addition to failing to execute the duty of defending the constitution, I believe GNA soldiers lacked of courage to do what was right.
Here are some famous quotes on courage from past military leaders:
"Never take counsel of your fears."
"Stonewall" Jackson
"Untutored courage is useless in the face of educated bullets."
General George S. Patton Jr.
"All men are frightened. The more intelligent they are, the more they are frightened. The courageous man is the man who forces himself, in spite of his fear, to carry on."
General George S. Patton Jr.
By the way why do we address Sam as Lt. Col Ret? Correct me if I am wrong but I do not think he retired. That title is for soldiers who served honorably and retired after years of honorable service. As a retied military officer I get ticked off any time one uses that title in vain.
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“Revolutions are brought about by men, by men who think as men of action and act as men of thought.”
Kwame Nkrumah
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Bronx
USA
159 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2008 : 18:15:28
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Sam has been pointing fingers at others for the failures of the officer corp on July 22nd for a long time. Check the archives of the Gambia_L. He penned a series on the events of that day under the pseudonym: Ebou Colley. He blamed everyone but Sam. The only person who came across gallantly in those series is Chongan. In fact I believe most of his new book is based on the same stories...but I digress since I haven't had the opportunity to read his book.
Sam was an officer in the GNA and like most of his compatriots in the officer corp, he lost control of the command that inherently makes military organizations stubbornly discipline as opposed to their civilian counterparts. He has a large megaphone these days and instead of owning up to his culpability in the breakdown of the command structure, he clumsily goes about passing aspersions on the performance of others. |
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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2008 : 23:36:59
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| May I add that he also tried to make it look like sheer stupidity or wanton recklessness on the part of the slain soldiers who tried to somehow thwart the coup process.Just take a reference to his quote that he was sure that the said individuals would not with hindsight consider themselves as brave whereas those of them,his ilk or those like him who were or are now considered cowards managed to get away with their dear lives. Am sorry but that statement speaks volumes for the man's mental state viz a vis his patriotism ,determination to save /serve with total loyalty ; the Gambian people and its duly constituted government.I cannot but feel despair at the grossness of that statement, we did not expect to hear soldiers whom we got enlisted to defend us to take their own personal safety over and above that of the whole nation as such.Well the words were his not mines and they surely are damning and will go a long to damage his image which he with serious malice has tainted himself . Please excuse my French but a man guilty of subversion and the overthrow of a legally constituted government would not stop at just being quiet when he feels he got away but would try to get a second go by the back door;and his try is to convince the rest of us if he can that all was hunky dory .The fact remains that soldiers are enlisted to serve their countries or forces as a matter of course and this may at times expose them to certain danger which could even lead to loss of life or limb.Where this happens it is never considered as reckless on their part and those who flee from battle or go absent without leave AWOL in their parlance are the ones considered as ungallant or to be blunt cowards and deserve court martial.My point here is that having abdicated the solemn duty reposed on the soldier it is an insult added to injury to be jubilant as a result and even more pungent if one goes about it with non nonchalance and verbose expositions of such act vide the print media. We are hurt but will wait patiently for Sam to repent I am sure he knows what went wrong and what we Gambian expected of them the ones we used to called our GALLANT SOLDIERS with pride.Can we still call them by use of the aforesaid adjective nay not on this side of the wonderful River Jordan . The gallant soldiers are the ones who gave their lives as sworn to on their enlistment in defense of their nation.The villains know themselves and shall remain to be so till they clear their names. the crusade is alive and will not end till justice is done, this is the for the truth at all costs.The swearing ceremonies of the said soldiers were solemn and biding and until they resign or get discharged one way or the other the bond hangs on them .That is the crux of the matter and Sam does not discuss that or perhaps i failed to get that message from his writings. and interestingly he clings onto the title of lieutenant colonel with such pride and see him display his uniformed photos like a peacock.The badges of honor flew away disparaged because a real colonel does not cringe or shun his duties and take cover when bullets fly and latter come out say to the world that he was wise so got himself away to safety any which way he can,expecting congratulations.The ones celebrated either braved it through thick and thin and at the end got their due consideration;which surely was not self proclamation of glory but dignified honor via the proper authority to wit their employer which in this case would be Government |
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buba
57 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 09:39:43
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Kanibaa,
I think the first decent thing that Sam Sarr should do is to issue a public apology to Dr. Saho for smearing his name. This will mitigate some of the damage he has caused himself.
The second thing is to accept divergent views. Sam seems to take criticisms very badly; may be that is as a result of his long service in the army where his words as a senior officer were beyond question. Hey, big Sam, welcome to the human race!!
Finally, let him stop being paranoid for this will only continue to confine him in his fantasy world. For example, commenting on Sheriff NC's article, he has almost convinced himself that lot of his critics probably have secret passion for Jammeh. Do not always speculate, sometimes you need to give the benefit of doubt. |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 12:35:14
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All I can say for now: The author in his arguement had problem of identifying the author.
Second, he should have sent his rejoinder to Gainako as ethics guide. No one will be censored at Gainako. It remains an open forum for all Gambians and their friends. He've never been censored there.
As I always keep saying, only the truth will set any one free. If people can lie at the small level, nothing will stop them from lying at any other level.
Like Cheik Anta Jobe once said " A clear conscience fears no accusation."
Gainako is not and will never be petty.
Good job guys!
Dalton... |
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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Edited by - Dalton1 on 25 Jan 2008 12:40:28 |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 13:15:16
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http://www.freedomnewspaper.com/Homepage/tabid/36/mid/367/newsid367/2794/Mistaken-Identity-Lands-Lt-Colonel-Samsideen-Sarr-Into-The-Gutters-/Default.aspx
The editor's note regarding Lamarana Jallow being confused as a former body-guard to Chongan or Chongan himself is very interesting and well remembered at the material time.
http://www.gainako.com/
Letter From A Reader
....My Response to Samsudeen Sarr
.......................By Omar Jallow.................September 24th, 2008
Editor
Samsudeen Sarr response to my rejoinder on 10th January, make me feel
like that Sam really needs a babysitter to take care of him. First he came
out accusing (they) to arrange a rejoinder from I Omar Jallow to paint him
as a bad person, baloney, I do not know how good or bad Sam is personally,
but I can judge him base on how he writes on the internet, Sam, if you know
who really I am, it would not have been wised for you to portrait me as if
(they) used me as a scapegoat or arrange a rejoinder. Like you said I made it
clear that I will not read your book Coup d'etat because of the hidden agenda
I said about it in my previous article.
Mr. Sarr, you claimed that I have probably learn about the book from those who read it and
discussed it publicly, I said once again you are wrong about me, since you brought the The Gambia
Echo into this I will tell you exactly what the editor told me, he said just take the chance and read and
understand the context of the book, may be you will learn to appreciate Mr. Sarr and i said to him that
I really appreciated Mr. Sarr in his Meet Me In Conakry book, but no intention of reading something
that am not interested in.
Mr. Sarr you mention that you were not in charge of the GNA but the Nigerians. That's part of the
incompetence I was talking about, for President Jawara, to import foreign generals or what ever ranks
they to command the barracks is a shame for you to sit and repeat that to our ears. I do not condone
a military government, but by all means necessary if it is the best way to restore morality law and order
I am all for it. You said I made a mockery for the book am expecting from you Meet Me In America
while the joke was at them, who is them, Mr. Sarr you claim to be having fun writing, but I do not
think you understand what other people writes. Mr. Sarr, I am not a writer but I read a lot am well
inform about the political affairs in my country and beyond. Mr. Sarr you mentioned that you are not
just writing books but legally employed to support your family, we know that's your responsibility and
obligation, because am also doing two jobs and taking care of the family i love so much, but would not
brag about it, because it is my responsibility, so that's irrelevant and Mr. Sarr do not deviate from the
topic, cause we are not talking about taking care of families. Mr. Sarr no one trying to make you like
nothing, but you entertain it and it will go on until you take the (FIFTH AMENDMENT RIGHT) then I will
close the chapter otherwise i have enough keyboards and cartridge to counter to anyone not only you
if i disagree with that person. (FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT) will allow me to speak my mind responsibly.
Mr. Sarr you said (they) were trying to make the readers think that you are no longer relevant, for
GOD sake relevant of what Mr. Sarr this is not the barracks where we will be saying to you all day
(YES SIR OR NO SIR )this is the free world and who cares about the rank and files that you are
trying to portray yourself. Mr. Sarr the only troublemaker I see on the Gambian on-line is you, who
have to answer question of people integrity, accusing Dr. MANNEH of not having a doctorate, saying
the MANDINGO WOMEN called the WOLLOF WOMAN Solima, Mr. Sarr please the best thing
you can do for yourself is take the (FIFTH AMENDMENT RIGHT) like I said earlier then you will be
excuse from the debate. Mr. Sarr you said that if writers have to depend on Gambian readers to write
books you bet the whole world would run out of books, because you probably think that none other
Gambian is good enough to be a writer, but you. Mr. Sarr you have been writing for about a year and
most of us read what you write and appreciate your artistry in writing, but do you question yourself
that you are not perfect and immune to making mistakes, if do think that you do not, I will not
elaborate to what I want to say until I get a rejoinder from you. You said we want to chase you into
hiding for what? Are you the next messiah who is going to change the free world that we lived in
(U.S.A) give me a break do you think we eat, sleep s--t and think about Mr. Sarr, excuse my
language I do not think so. Mr. Sarr you said that writing is one of the loveliest passions in your life, it
comfort and educate you, but reading is what I breath on everyday of my life after work and I am not
an idle person running around useless errands. AMERICA has been a tremendous help in molding
everyone here presently, not only you as you quoted in your article.
Mr. Sarr you said people like these, meaning me being the rejoinder that I ever benefited from the
APRC or PPP regime is blatantantly false. I am from Kuntaya Village raised by a farmer and baker
(LOCAL BREAD- DAEGAT) my father never worked for the government and he raised 7 siblings
single handedly with no ones help other than the THE LORD ALMIGHTY ALLAH and he prevailed
in getting what he sew, originating from Kuntaya village where everyone is related by blood does not
mean family to me unless we help each other, so if you or any of your informant or what ever you
want to call your associates think that because some of these kuntaya Elites were working with the
P.P.P and still working for the APRC that's why I am a pro APRC, then you are really immature.
Lastly, let me tell you why I disclosed my identity in my the article, because I read a lot where you are
always questioning someone's screen name (pen name), and I do not have any reason to hide,
because you are not hiding yourself, so Samsudeen Sarr please stop the bickering and all these
chit-chat talk and debate the point rather than thinking someone has a personal vendetta against you.
Samsudeen Sarr you read the rejoinder at the noble paper Gainako why didn't you post your
response their ( a priviledge they have freely accorded to you before and still continues to). But putting
the innocent Echo into a debate they did not started is in my judgement hypocritical on your part.
Alsamadeh
Omar Jallow
919- 539- 2463
Raleigh, North Carolina
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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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Edited by - Dalton1 on 25 Jan 2008 13:29:28 |
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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 15:22:50
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| The best adjective for this Lieutenant Colonel would be in my opinion the rain catcher but his weapon is a sieve Tammeh as they would call it in wollof. Any time he opens his mouth to further his crusade it goes pouring down to the ground ; ground zero to be precise. Gambians are not any body's fools. The writer in days gone by were considered to be of privileged class and certainly wielded such auras of power that some took it upon themselves to be the voice of the rest of society. Historians wrote their thesis on issues based at times on tainted points of view and we had hitherto used them without question as the bible truth;nowadays with the advent of the Internet any body can counter them with opposing views. The Europeans wrote the history books about Africa and like I said the views therein could debate ably be considered one sided. If Sheriff S.Sarr wants to use that privilege he is too late because we are in the computer age and there is a boom in the writers market ;some do it for pleasure and others for their various reasons he has no monopoly here. If he wants to know the identity of people on the forum he could dig up for sure but the heck with that pen names were used by people for centuries and what matters is the essence of their writings not the persona behind the said writings .Where he does get the identity what would he do with such individuals ;shoot them or hello what what what.,We ain't scared of him men!May the souls of those gallant soldiers rest in peace and forever shall they be honored by Motherland Gambia whereas for him and his ilk who unlessed cleared shall remain in disgrace. |
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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 20:23:49
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| At the risk of being monotonous or boring I wish to attack the excuse of Sam which he gave about the role of the senior cadre of the Army,He did say that in fact the then soldiers were under the command of Nigerian officers. Well what were the senior officers the Gambians doing there then I hope he won't say say just picking up their wages and thats all. For all I know the failure of the army setup was not an accident , the rumblings that eventually became thunder and resultant tsunami which washed away our cherished democracy did not happen in a vacuum or suddenly. It must have been encouraged by the officers or ignored due to pent up frustration on their part because they felt that the presence of the Nigerian officers was unacceptable to them. For the uprising to get through as it did without any one for that matter getting a clue amongst them is questionable because such is their profession and if they are true/professional and loyal soldiers they should have detected the problems and resolved them .That is if they are or were loyal to the crown or government of the day which i daresay is highly questionable. At this point in time of our history it is unacceptable for Sam to be the writer of that obnoxious event which i want to be believe he threw at us via the book coup d'etat. It is his right to express his opinion on the event but let him not force us to to accept his version as the only true report or history of the said putsch.An independent person without anything to lose in the matter would be the best raconteur for the benefit of justice and fair play.So Sam keep on writing and sell your books but we shall also keep asking you to explain what you are brushing under the carpet,the skeleton is crying to be out doored and now . This is not story of the bad cows and good cows but of real people and real history which shall be properly written without fear or favor .your's was a white wash containing some facts but silent on those that you are not comfortable with. Good day Naafi yo nehemen afaaha |
Edited by - kaanibaa on 25 Jan 2008 20:30:57 |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 23:50:13
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http://www.gainako.com/
Kaaniba,
Here is Sheriff's response to Sam on the link above.
All those that wants to rejoin to the topic including Sam himself are more than welcome to do so here or at Gainako. Gainako has agreed to carry the debate to whereever it ends.
If Sam believed in what he said to be true-God wreck any liar or arrogant manupulator among all humanity, nothing should stop him from debating further.
I like people who defend themselves for what they are right. But I have a problem with people being manupulative or living in a world of imagination. If people can manupulate the smaller things, they can as well manupulate the bigger things. -Uneasy lies the head with the crown.
When Gainako's time is up, as always, we will show the people our stance, this we will do without hesitation -without rush.
To the end..........
Dalton....
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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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dbaldeh
USA
934 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2008 : 07:26:46
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quote:
Originally posted by ebou4th
Sam should do himself a favor and keep quite. The events of 22 July 1994 was due to a failure that he should accept. The first thing the US Officers are though at the academy and Officer Candidate School is to take responsibility and not make excuses. An officer is first and foremost a leader of men he cannot manage his command to effectiveness; they must be lead. 22 July 1994 was a failure period, please accept it and move on.
Brother Ebou4th, the quote above summed up everything one needed to know about Sam's quest to cash in at the expense of his fellow citizens. Sam has proven right what his long time critiques wrote about him from the get go. He, like others failed, refuse to take responsibility and wants to crown himself the heroic intellectual.
Sam' read our lips, as I know you are part of this bantaba family with a fake name. If you are a hero Gambians certainly do no know that. If you are an intellectual with moral clarity' Gambians don't know that, as you were non existence when our people needed you the most. So let sleeping dogs lie and enjoy your little ego while dishonorably cashing in on the demise of your fellows.
As for Gainako, we don't engage in egoistic unnecessary debates. Our contributors do the fight for themselves and you will go down on your knees without us touching you. Check our achieves and see Sheriff's contributions since last year.
How dear you acuse innocent editors at Gainako who are young enough to be your sons and daughters of conspiracy with the evidence show that we are only doing our editorial duties. I guess too much talk with no substance has landed you into hot soup.
How comes you dear not step off of your confort zone the Gambiaecho? Am sure they will dish you as well with time. We know what name you use on this forum so don't even lead us to reveal your so call fake name. Its ok for you to use a fake name but not others. What a soldier you are.... |
Baldeh,
"Be the change you want to see in the world" Ghandi
Visit http://www.gainako.com for your daily news and politics |
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Santanfara
3460 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2008 : 12:05:58
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| Mowdo demba ,sam will not wish engage the editors of gainako. I will read the original piece again and see why he felt so strongly about the article. |
Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran
www.suntoumana.blogspot.com |
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