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Dembish
Gambia
284 Posts |
 Posted - 02 May 2006 : 23:51:06
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Jammeh's Tribalism and Power Grab: What is going on?
BY ASSOCIATE EDITOR, MATHEW K JALLOW
They call it the National Assembly
But, I call it the biggest joke of all time.
The People's House; now the house of Jammeh
The APRC puppets; dancing to Yahya's golo music
I scratch my head; but I still cannot understand
The powers to dissolve; one more nail in the coffin
You don't know what you gave up; stupid
Until Marshal Law blanket our dear land
For there goes our country's Birth Right
Ten pieces of silver is all you got for it; ndey san
Now we are all as good as dead
And Constitution now torn to shreds; Hei Yalla
JAMMEH'S RUBBER STAMP ASSEMBLY
It is evident that Yahya is planning to rule by Decree at the slightest hint of trouble for his hated regime. This Constitutional Amendment essentially gives him the powers to do just that. But, what is mystifying to me is why the National Assembly, the peoples representatives, would simply roll over like dogs and relinquish their powers and authority to Yahya Jammeh? Is it just fear or is it something else? I just cannot get it. Whatever the reason, it is clear that this is like putting a weapon in the hand of a protagonist who is seeking to do harm to you. Now, nothing will stop Jammeh now that he does not have the Constitution to restrain him. It is open season on our rights, and believe me Jammeh has not begun to deal his real hand yet. We will likely see more damage done to our country and its people in the weeks and months to come.
A Jola musical group; deep in the heart of Casasmance
And a medal of Honor from State House's inner sanctrum
Who can explain this mystery; this ain't right
An honor bestowed; just for being a Jola
A bush Jola from deep inside Casamance
Then I hear the names; and a bell in my head rings
The Abdou Badjies, John Bojangs and Mohamed Gibbas
Good Gambians all; but in their silence they tell a story
A Jola connection; that is hard not to see
Open tribalism now; and the rage growing in our hearts
It feels like the Terri Kafo all over again
Yahya's tribalism; a recipe for another Rwanda
It is hard to believe that press and responsible citizens are not speaking out against Jammeh's blatant tribalism over all these years. The Jolas have held a disproportionate number of high profile jobs within the civil service, and when this is measured against their number of less than 10% of the population, it borders on the ridiculous. Every Gambian Jola has the same right to hold any position they are qualified for, but when the cards are decked in their favor irrespective of their qualification and in disregard and the exclusion of other tribes, this is an invitation to war. Jammeh is not, I hope thinking that people are just sitting there and not seeing the games he is playing with our lives. We are alert, and we read your every move and action no matter how benign it is.
Elected by the people; now suspended by Jammeh
They call it democracy; and I call it lunacy
Our Constitution now smeared in our faeces
Banjul's mayor elected; not Jammeh selected
Hard to believe how much **** the people can take
I see all the *****s; that empower Jammeh in his ways
There is one at Justice; call him Shiekh T Hydara
Another one at Assembly; Churchill Baldeh
There was one called S.M.Dibba; now he is gone
Then the tail wagging dog; Saja Taal I believe
Don't forget the griot-in-chief; Fatou Jahumpa-Ceesay
Every dictator has his enablers; they work to ruin our beloved Gambia
Clearly, Jammeh has always acted beyond the powers that our Constitution allows. This could only happen if the National Assembly and our Judiciary who have been missing from action over all these years do nothing. Jammeh has encroached into the powers of both these branches of government and gotten away with it that and now there is nothing to restrain him. The fact that Churchill Baldeh still thinks that Jammeh can be prevented from doing what is right for Jammeh, clearly shows how niave or stupid he is. Churchill Baldeh will be in for the surprise of his life; perhaps soon. When Jammeh no longer needs the National Assembly members to hold on to power, he will show his true colors. As far as Jammeh is concerned, he can only be faitthful to one person;Susan Waffa Ogoh.
In other things, Casamance rebels taking refuge in The Gambia can only mean one thing; that Jammeh is in collusion with the group. It is a humanitarian thing to do to offer them medical treatment, but The Gambia has no business harboring the group and enabling them to go into Senegalese territory to commit acts of terror. But, there is an interesting dynamic that could be at play here. There are speculations that Jola elements from Casamance have infiltrated every branch our security forces to act as a deterrant against any possible uprising. Rebel fighters, it is believed, will join Jammeh loyalists to try quell any military or popular uprising against Jammeh's regime. That does not bother me the least, because I have seen what weapons in the hands of Gambian ndongo boys can mean. The army boys supporting Jammeh should take note that when the people have weapons, you better get out the our way. We do not wear military uniforms, but don't you ever think that we are cowards. In conclusion, any one who loves our country should join the effort to stop the carnage and the torture of our brothers. We must get rid of Jammeh or else we will plunge our country into the darkest period in our history. There is nothing standing in the way of a Martial Law regime now. It means arrests, imprisonment or summary executions without the benefit of judicial process. Jammeh will be the Law, his word will be the Constitution, and it is he not the Assembly House who will speak for the people. Scarry to think, isn't it?
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2006 : 01:10:03
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| Dembish it appears your sentiments may be high on this postings and you didn't reflect that there is still peaceful co-existence between all races or tribes existing in the motherland. However in the political context these are being undermined by what we are seeing being exercised through the civil service and certain high profile positions, like an open book. The phenomena of identifying loyal vanguards selected with prior knowledge of the clan, tribe and background they belong is one of the worst symptoms of corruption and civil crises. If it remains un-checked or censored it would eventaully lead to a very dangerous explosive civil war and conflicts by a society. In the Gambia we have family ties and religion to clinch on to stabilise the situation. The "teri kafo" existed and now a similar networking or organisation is existing clandestinely and authoritatively! To make matters worst the infiltration and promotion of Casamannce rebels in our midst in the quest for moral obligation owed based on the theory of "roots?" There is no way you can share your opinion on this menace without causing tempers to rise. It's very unfortunate for you Dembish to express your level of frustration as you don't understand what is happening. |
Edited by - kobo on 03 May 2006 01:25:08 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2006 : 08:07:42
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| Dembish I believe this topic will help us find answers as some of our crude cultural beliefs that create mistrust, disunity and could lead to divide and rule policies. Tribalism appears to be deeply rooted in Gambain politics since Jawara days and as we are an underdevelope country we need civic education to help eradicate it. We need to discuss it as it hampers progress and could destroy a nation. Let us not be dodgy! and accept it as a myth? Typically Darboe and Hat Bah do gain advantages to boost their popularity based on the denomination they are perceived to belong but not on genuine fitting policies for average Gambians. Looking at how the mass mobilised themselves you tend to believe that Mandinkas are mainly inclined to support Darboe and UDP on tribal lines, Sheriff Dibba and NCP and Fullas Hamat Bah and NRP. Mandinkas and Fullas are the major tribes in The Gambia. Although no open provocation is seen in political platforms. |
Edited by - kobo on 03 May 2006 08:09:44 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2006 : 13:20:56
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| I repeat again we should consider this topic seriously to understand its repercussions, some tragedic incidents and havoc it caused in other countries. This topic is a viable civic and political subject. We cannot map out the political landscape and chart the course for a society or for all peoples without reflecting on history and make some social studies about the society you are dealing with. In the school curricula for history and social studies, children are taught that there are five major tribes in the Gambia, starting with the majority namely: Mandinka, Fulla, Wollof, Serrehule, Jola, Serer. At present the typography have changed as we have other aliens arriving after they fled from their war torn countries like, Sierra leone, Liberia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Nigera and Casamance of Senegal. We need to consider any inequities and realised that a new vision for Gambians is to be ready to sacrifice crude cultural values of intolerance, discrimation, sagregation and rascism. The first agenda to address for a workable constitution is to make declarations and provisions that the following constitution of this republic is for all peoples, races, sex, colour etc etc or something that is similar to Section 1 of the "Juche ideology " of a communist state, which attempted to solve social injustice and inequality. Lets addressed the issues in a very constructive and positive manner rather than making allegations and castigating any individual or group. Lets promote a bright future for the motherland and consider any issue that hinders progress, peace and stability. |
Edited by - kobo on 03 May 2006 13:31:22 |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2006 : 14:11:25
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I noticed that in cultural TV programs you mostly see Jola dances and traditions. This is ridiculous and provocative, as Gambia has a lot of other tribal traditions. But if it is meant to provoke, and if the intention is to fuel tribalism, for what reason ever, I think it would be wise not to step into this trap.
"Les tentations et les provocations sont des peaux de banane sur ma route..." (Alpha Blondy) |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2006 : 18:15:41
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| Seranata I don't see it in that light as the Jolas has a very rich culture and I love the dancing and entertainment that goes with their cultural rites. Lets review bad precedents and draw conclusions from them and rectify the system. To remind you of a classic case of manipulation of the media especially the national tv and radio usually exploited. During Jawara days one Lamin Nafa Saho of Badibu just few days he became of Minister of Information, the first thing he instituted was the order the news is being relayed after English Language usually followed by Wollof and then Mandinka, which Nafa Saho reverted to English lanquage and followed by Mandinka then Wollof etc as sheer tribalism and a very bad precedent in the history of the Gambia. We need to work on an egalitarian or tolerant society and not insitute divide and rule policies or promote sectarianism. |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2006 : 19:37:54
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| I may be wrong, prejudice or may have some grudge against certain individuals in the honours list that they don't merit any national honour as they are not serving national interests but rather serving themselves and loyal subjects of Yaya in the likes of Lang Tombong and Lamin Kaba Bojang. |
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2006 : 20:48:22
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KOBO,
Lang Tombong Tamba is a perfect gentleman. One of the few high ranking soldiers not a crony. He is real good mixer. He is known to be defender of the disadvantaged even among the civilians. Why do you think he was elected Vice-President of The Gambia Football Association(GFA)? HONESTY, HARDWORK AND INTEGRITY |
madiss |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2006 : 21:00:26
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| Madis, echo that one louder. Opportuned to be from the same village with Lang Tombong, known him to be a gentleman. But i am sorry he might not be able to clean himself,come what may, because he is next to a bad doer. My wish that he didn't associate himself to jammeh cannot be put in paper. Also, one might argue that some are keeping jobs, and a great way of survival. Only few soldiers i spoke with from the area who described him as a cat, 'toilet and burry.' Lang is way older than me, but had the respect of even the younger ones from the village. "the man with the six fingers on his hands." |
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2006 : 21:48:41
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Dalton1,
I know that you are from the same village but the man is simply in the service of his country and not Jammeh. When Goats and Sheep share the same roof is only for the rain to pass. Are you aware he was once removed from statehouse as state guard commander before being re-instated again? You know why? Becos he is free man and speaks his mind no-matter to whom. |
madiss |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2006 : 21:51:25
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Kobo, I didn't mean the Jola culture isn't rich; I see it as a very precious part of the Senegambian culture. But I think every language group, every culture of the Gambia should be honored, as all together are contributing to this rich, strong and fascinating cultural spectrum.
Petty tribalism is what darkens the glamourous image of your cultures, and this wicked game sees no winner - except for the laughing third, like in Rwanda.
Tribalism, encouraged and fueled by the white immigrants, was one of the main factors which led to the American Indians' downfall. But maybe we, as humans, are condemned to make the same mistakes over and over again... |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2006 : 22:04:29
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| The comments just read are positive and constructive. More critical mindedness as we should provoke thoughts from all angles to better understand how to deal with a mix of cultures and peaceful co-existence. However I must pay my respect to Lang Tombong for defending him as hardworkling and deserving the meritious award. |
Edited by - kobo on 03 May 2006 22:21:59 |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2006 : 22:06:39
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| I know that he will never be like that wolf of ours, i mean Musa Jammeh (we call him Musa bulluf). Also, at a time, he couldn't pull out with Abdoulie Kujabi, cos Kujabi is a hypocrite. Also, with Landing Sanneh (from Aronkong kunda), now serving sentence of treason, and he (landing sanneh) was another 'bluff' man, threatening to eliminate young boys then. That was the battle with Lang Tombong at the state guard, as far as i was aware, and there might be more as you are telling me. I very well agree with you that Lang is humble and all that, but frankly he cannot escape it, because a lot of people are angry, feelings are hurting Madi.It will be hard to distinguish national service for a country, and that of aiding a dictator. Eventually, he will fall a trap of what happened to other folks who were also centered on a similar sentiment- i mean Dr. Sedat Jobe, Blaise Jagne, and the rest of that team that were in for good. |
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2006 : 22:20:52
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Landing's nick name in school was BEREK after the berek batteries that were very popular in the Gambia. They die out hard and are known to last for a long time. I am not suprised that he will be a bully and bluff guy.
He has not changed then since his school days. he was known to carry hand grenades in his pockets even when he visits people. I met him in Fajikunda once and called him BEREK while he was in uniform but off duty. The man did not like it.
I was only joking as i had known him more than 10 years earlier. I was really embarassed by his "big man" attitude. I did not know he was in jail. Sorry to know that. I hope he is innocent. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2006 : 22:28:38
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TRIBALISM HOW I SEE IT
Until recently there was not much said about tribalism in The Gambia. When i was young i could remember, in my village we moved in groups and these groups are always mixed, FULAS, JOLAS, SERRERS AND KARONNINKAS AND MANDINKAS. Believe it we all speak Mandinka even amongst ourselves. If we are not speaking Mandinak then we speak Wolof, though in the group there was no Wolof and only one mandinka. The reason why we spoke Mandinka, was becos some of the Fula boys had Mandinka moms, Jolas too especially the ones from Sintet(Daltons' place) speak fluent mandinka and some Fula.So believe it we only speak our maternal languages when we are at home speaking to our parents. At that time we joked amicably about all the tribes. The Mandinka's we teased"SOSSEH DOU SOSSAL KEN" meaning a Mandinka things of himself only. Serrer's we teased that they were too Dark. The Fulas we joked are betrayers and only know about cattle. Jolas we joked are only good at dancing BUKARABOU.The Karoninka we teased don't share especially their girls.
It was all jokes in the good old days. But now some people are using tribalism for their selfish gains. I urge all positive Gambians and friends to SAY NO TO TRIBALISM AND TRIBALISTS. I am married to another tribe other than my own. My mom and dad are from different tribes. In our compund we speak both their languages fluently. We tease our cousins and vice versa. Thats the way it should be.
Since we allowed it to come we should remove it completly with all it takes. People like brother Mathew should preach the gospel of LOVE AND NOT HATE AS IN HIS POETRY.Brother Mathew is living outside the Gambia like most of us, so it would be suicidal to preach hate whilst you are safely stashed away in god's own country(America).
We should take a leave out of the Sintet people, where Fulas, Jolas, Mandinka live in peace and harmony for longtime.They speak each others language without scorn. I just gave Sintet probably its an area where the president comes from and where major tribes are living side by side.
LONG LIVE THE GAMBIA, DOWN WITH TRIBALISM! |
madiss |
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Biraago
Gambia
173 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2006 : 22:32:46
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One way of difusing the and countering the narrow minded "tribalists" is to de-mystify culture as an instrument of human interaction and development.
Culture is not stagnant and in an independent human instrument.
As I mentioned earlier on this subject, those who are supposedly conscious of human development and are progressive in nature, must take an offensive as is happening in this forum and don't allow the stagnent elements of society to gain an upper hand in the cultural debate and do it with innovative actions that does not alienate the people whose mentality could be transformed through productive and positive dialogue at the mass level particularly among the young ones.
Culture should not be allowed to be an instrument of repression or any form of social control.
We should share the ownership of all the positive products of any culture, no matter who the inventors may be.
We can trace mathematics to the ancient Africans, Arabs or any other social/language groupings but the crux of the matter is that, mathematic is a universal language for global development, so Why not the languages and rites that originate from that corner of the planet.
I wonder if some of our people so under-developed that they cannot see the parallel between mathematics and a sociological story or a dancing ritual for psychologist and physical fitness practiced by someone who speaks Jola, Wolof, Manjago, Pepel, Hal Pulaar, Seereer, Balanta, Mandingka, Creol, English, French or Dutsch? |
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