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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Jul 2010 : 14:37:46
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Gambian President Yahya Jammeh accused former colonial ruler Britain on Wednesday of backing opposition politicians ahead of 2011 elections, and said the West African nation would not be colonised again.
Jammeh has long been criticised for arresting dissenters, rights activists and journalists. Earlier this month a Gambian court sentenced eight people to death after finding them guilty of plotting to overthrow the government.
In April, the United States and Britain criticised the jailing of an opposition member for using a megaphone at a rally without permission.
"Why are they (the West) not sponsoring the ruling government if they are talking about democracy?" Jammeh said at a rally with thousands of supporters in Banjul, the capital.
Jammeh accused Britain of funding the opposition, but said the opposition would "never" secure a ministerial post because Gambians were not fools.
"I swear that the Gambia will not be colonised twice. Let them do whatever they want to do, but this country will not be colonised twice," Jammeh said.
The British High Commissioner in Banjul could not be reached for comment.
Jammeh, who has ruled the tiny nation sandwiched inside Senegal with an iron fist since a 1994 coup, is due to face elections next year. There are four opposition parties but they complain about harassment and in the last election in 2006 Jammeh won about 70 percent of the vote.
The eight handed death sentences earlier this month included the former chief of defence staff, former director of the national intelligence agency and two businessmen, one of whom is Lebanese. They are accused of planning to oust the government in a drug-funded plot involving foreign mercenaries. The case followed a waves of arrests and sackings in the country.
The British government and the United States spoke out in April after Femi Peters, campaign manager for the opposition the United Democratic Party, was sentenced to one year in jail for using a megaphone at a rally without permission.
"My message to the West is that if you think that Africans are stupid and you can come and fool us twice, then go elsewhere in Africa and fool them but the Gambia is a no go area for you," Jammeh said at the rally.
Source; Reuters
(Reporting by Pap Saine; writing by David Lewis; Editing by Alison Williams)
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I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2010 : 14:51:46
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You see Jammeh is very smart. Many underestimate his talent. He knows how to set the agenda and influence the public. 2011 election agenda. He will be a hero for standing up against former imperialists certainly playing for nationalism/patriotism. This is always no lose political rhetoric. And he also wants to be distinguished as a fighter against anti-democratic regime change. The system worked and he punished those who want to change the regime with a coup. And obviously only alternative for Gambians' daily needs as other parties lack credibility to offer solutions for Gambians. People would vote not for unknown.
- Jammeh vs coup
- Jammeh vs imperialism
- Jammeh for development
And Mr. Politician claims 'UK Accused'. You see he or she has no clue about politics. Do you think average Gambian will take the side of 'accused UK' (victim) or of the hero for standing up against the former imperialist.
'God save the Queen' does not work for Gambian public. If I was a Gambian voter, I would support the president even I don't like him when I have to choose between queen and the president of Gambia.
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diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
Edited by - turk on 29 Jul 2010 15:34:33 |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2010 : 17:51:08
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"The British High Commissioner in Banjul could not be reached for comment."
Not at all surprised he is obviously a sensible man and understands that this is a diversionary tactic to ensure publicity:
"There is only one thing worse than being talked about and that is NOT being talked about."  
Oscar Wilde, the poet and writer
ote]Originally posted by Nyarikangbanna
Gambian President Yahya Jammeh accused former colonial ruler |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2010 : 18:09:34
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Touby
British Empire has various policies for different country. They may have different policies where they have interests in, for example, natural resources, oil. They don't really care about human rights for other countries sincerely. We all know that. Gambia is small country with not much natural resources. What UK has interest in Gambia is being safe, stable and secure country as there are many British living there and many British tourist go for vacation. So as long as the president Jammeh maintained the security and stability in the country, British Government is happy. So once in a while, British Government speaks about Femi Peters, that is just politics. Nothing else. |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2010 : 19:01:46
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I understand that, its only when the wheel comes off and things affect their nationals,or commercial interests, that they would think about taking decisive actions "that is just politics. Nothing else." or deplomacy ?they appear to be one and the same to me.
Can't upset the voters otherwise you would be out of a job !
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 29 Jul 2010 19:03:05 |
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