 |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
kayjatta
2978 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Jul 2009 : 09:31:51
|
By kayjatta
http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/major-promotion-at-gaf-lang-tombong-tamba-now-lt-general
An assorted number of soldiers of the Gambia National Army (GNA) have been recently promoted, ranging from Captain to Lieutenant General. All and all some thirty four (34) soldiers have received promotions. One soldier was promoted to Captain, seven to Major, eleven to Lt. Colonel, six to Colonel, one to Major General, and one to Lt. General.
The Army Chief of staff, Lang Tombong Tamba, the Deputy Chief of staff, Masanneh Kinteh, and kawsu Camara; are some of those recently promoted, presumably for both their loyalty and their brutality in crushing Jammeh’s enemies.
This is not the first time that the GNA has received generous promotions from the president. Since the coup of July 22, 1994, the military government of Yahya Jammeh has lavished promotions and other benefits to the military which continues to be the main constituency of his presidency.
Between late 1994 and early 1995, scores of senior military officers of the Jawara era have been retired, and junior officers loyal to Jammeh promoted to fill their places. During this period Jammeh himself catapulted from Lieutenant to Colonel before retiring from the army to become a quasi-civilian head of state.
These promotions are part of what Dr. Saine and other scholars identified as “army reasons” for the coup of 1994. “The personal ambitions of the military for promotions and better pay…” are often an underlying reason for military coups in Africa. (See Dr. Saine’s 1995 paper, on the 1994 military coup in the Gambia). Jammeh also promises more help on the way, in terms of promotions, better pay and conditions, and infrastructural development.
These promotions are made at a time when Jammeh, the military Head-of-State is deriding other soldiers for suspected disloyalty amidst rumors of coup, and threatening “blood” if anyone tries to topple his government. Just few weeks ago two commanders in the State Guard were fired without any reasons given by Jammeh’s government. This incident prompted speculations of an attempt to topple the APRC regime.
As part of the celebrations of the July 1994 coup, Jammeh has recently assembled religious leaders to pray for the longevity of his regime. In an interview on the government-owned television, GRTS, Jammeh again sidestepped the Gambian people, and inferred that his power emanates from God instead…
But as the APRC regime celebrates what it calls the “July 1994 Revolution”, the Gambia government is being picketed around the world for its deplorable human rights condition throughout the fifteen years of Jammeh’s rule.
The seven journalists standing trial currently, as well as the numerous deaths, disappearances, arrests and detentions of real or perceived enemies and opponents without trial will remain scars on the Gambian conscience for a long time…
|
|
|
Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2009 : 10:54:12
|
Seems to me there are three (at least) very differrent things to think about in this article:
1. Army Officers getting promotion - not much to think of there; happens in every army all over the world. And loyalty is one of the main reasons.
2. Jammeh suggesting his poweres come from God. Couls, I suppose, be argued either way - since, if one believes in God then one comes from God (with or withour one's powers). On the other hand it is a bit meglomaniac in style to infer you are "chosen" by God (not saying Jammeh said that, though he might have??)
3. Gambia's human rights record - which (personally) I do think is cause for concern and featured in this month's Amnesty International magazine. |
 |
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
© 2005-2024 Nijii |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
