By Bampha Jaiteh
Throughout the ages, history has demonstrated on the annals of time about human civilisation that political tranquility even in the developed world transcends meaningful socio-economic orientation geared towards sustainability considering Development.
Politics critically agitates for equity irrespective of political background, in as much as internal vigilance connotes the expression of divergent views based on the destiny of her subordinates. Going by these scenarios leaders in position would become answerable for accountability, and probity.
Transparency through checks and balances as servants, not demi-gods evident in Africa and Gambia without exceptionality.
Tolerance justified in moral cohesion alongside the norms and values purposefully allows peace, the cornerstone of creation to flourish. In a nutshell, development requires such fundamental principles of diversity in any genuine political transformation.
Great Ancient Africa of yesterday had never been short of that ancestral heritage regarding governance in Politics, examples of which were the former Dahomey, Songhai, and MandingEmpires to name but a few.
Kurugang Fuga: The first human rights charter ever adopted in the 13th Century during the reign of King Sundiata Keita demonstratively showed the beauty and richness of black civilisation. Pluralism in politics circumvents openness among the electorates through diversity for development and progress.
Sadly post-colonial Africa of Gambia, a case study under review has suffered severe inroads of both Political and Development upheavals upon attainment of independence, although a significant milestone in self-realisation is in itself a breakthrough.
Before the arrival of the Late Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara in our independent struggle, Reverend J C Fye and Edward Francis Small were the pioneers of architects from colonial bondage.
This great historic and blessed land of proud ancestors whose dynamism during the European depression called World War in the late 30s coming to the mid-40s demonstrated the bravery and heroism of black men like Kulaymang Conteh, Niani Touba, Saaba Junkung Jaiteh, Njaba Kunda, Fafanding AminataTrawally, Njaba Kunda, Sergeants Kalilu Kanteh, Njaba Kunda, Sambu Alima Tunkara, Marong Kunda, least among the huge number of brave war veterans.
Tribute of thankless to their sacrifice despite no reparation indicating the cruelty of Western conspiracy against Africa and the black race.
1965 marked the emergence of birth giving Colonial Rule an end game of divorce: after the Marlborough Conference which culminated into a dispute of earlier election then centered within the urban area, denying rural masses their democratic rights.
Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, Pan-Africanist and visionary icon started his then newly post-independent administration with technocrats like Sheriff Mustapha Dibba as his running mate, and the likes of Nphamara Wassa Turay, Sheriff Csay, LaminKitty Jabang, Landing Jallow Sonko etcetera.
Being the son of a peasant in rural hinterland and agriculture the backbone of the country, President Jawara stretched agricultural extension units around the country to boost food production and sustainability.
Farmers were trained on techniques of farming, and seeds and fertilizers were given on credit, including cash inducement on loans after the rainy season. Irrigation schemes of rice cultivation became a priority area with Jahali and Pacharestablishment.
Immortal Sir Dawda, down to earth and open-minded veterinary surgeon, however further diversified agriculture with the introduction of Cotton farming as well as the Agricultural Development Bank, with Gambia Producing and Marketing Board, a body overseeing agricultural activities in-between the Ministry and farmers as custodian. Consumer shops were channeled down the line for accessibility, affordability, and quality outreach for the average Gambian.
Milling of groundnut oil began showcasing Gambia’s image sub-regionally and internationally. On foreign policy and international relations, as Champion of human rights Sir Dawdaratified a series of treatises fostering Gambia’s Diplomacy on the Global Stage.
Dishearteningly, in Africa of Gambia by no exceptionality: we vilify our Great Heroes when they were living and rhapsodizethem, when they have already departed.
By the early 70s heading to the mid-70s when the nation became a Republic, however, internal rangling arose within the People’s Progressive Party (PPP): which led to the resignation of Sheriff Mustapha Dibba forming the National Convention Party (NCP).
Man of passion and resilience Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara forged with his team, Assan Musa Camara appointed as Vice president with the relative atmosphere of tolerance, moral cohesion, and nationalism echoed in peace which the nation has been endowed.
Through his Charisma alongside visionary statesmanship; former President Sir Dawda catapulted diversified development initiatives with the implementation of Gambia Public Transport Cooperation, including tourism as a priority.
The PPP and NCP political Fanfare co-existed in mutual tendencies bearing the bonds of our cherished ancestral norms and values called ‘sanawuya.’ Cracking jokes in between communities, surnames like Baddibu and Kiang, Nuimi and Jarra.
Militants of opposition NCP crackingly labelled inspirational and iconic leader, Baba Jawara as Nkunjah. Marine Tuna Fish was ideal for the family meal.
Those in the ruling PPP in turn labelled patriotic SM Dibba as Challoh. An aquatic Bunga Fish, fearless with a series of bones: but incredibly tasty.
Indefatigable Sir Dawda, steadfast and consistent in that turbulent era of endless challenges like persistent drought, infant mortality, malnutrition, disease, climate change environmental venom, navigated the political landscape of The Gambia with perseverance.
By the early 80s, the first ever abortive coup d’etat headed by Kukoi Samba Sanyang, Simon Talibo Sanneh, Junkung Saho, Mustapha Danso somersaulted our endowed natural asset (peace).
Along these hectic turmoils, President Jawara pursued cementing Foreign Exchange Reserves by calling The Gambia, Singapore of Africa.
Apparently, in 1987, the IMF’s neo-colonial economic hook came with the Structural Adjustment Programme resulting in a massive retrenchment exercise, when greed had already given birth to corruption within the PPP government. Unimaginable stories of vessels missing at sea loaded with Ground-nut for World Market. Corruption is a Virus ravaging the progress of any nation like a bushfire in Harmattan.
The early 90s witnessed the downfall of Sir Dawda’s regime when in 1994, a self-reserved Military Lieutenant overthrew the PPP government. The composition of the then AFPRC headed by Lt. Yaya AJJ Jammeh was: Lieutenant Sana Sabally, Edward Signateh, Sadibu Hydara, and Yankuba Touray, eventually Lieutenant Alagie Kanteh was appointed as Spokesperson.
He ruled the country for over two decades with an iron hand, although the first decade witnessed developmental trends when his acclaimed World Bank was thriving. Against the backdrop of an intense political environment: the United Democratic Party (UDP) formed in 1996 resisted Jammeh’s tyranic rule with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) by name; its credibility and impartiality remain questionable.
The latter days of Jammeh’s rule were marked by a dictatorship as he has already become intoxicated with the power of torture, rape, arbitrary arrests, disappearance, media censorship, and human rights abuse.
The Gambia being a blessed nation endowed with Allah’s mercy and protection survived over two decades of tyranny until 2016 when eight opposition political parties formed a coalition and removed him from power through the ballot box.
The international community stood firmly with the Gambians in those difficult times, especially when former president YahyaJammeh made a U-turn to relinquish power voluntarily leading to ECOMIC intervention. Outspoken proverbial Civilian President Adama Barrow emerged victorious and was assigned to formulate a Transitional Government with TRRC, NEVER AGAIN, Constitutional Review Commission, and Civil Service Reform.
An Estate Enterprise Agent with no virtual governance experience President Adama Barrow became encircled by hyenas of political thieves, butchering the economy into worsening inflation, erratic power shrinkage, invasive corruption scandals, inexplicable perish of youths on ‘backway’ syndrome, and a high cost of living for the average Gambians. Public institutions have become family enterprises like Brikama Area Council saga.
Corruption is a way of life within the civil service indicating how wicked and hell-driven mindset of Gambia’s civil servants.
Regrettably, custodians of our justice dispensation, the judiciary, and the second arm of the three organs of government alarmingly have been involved in a corruption scandal of D11 million. Notwithstanding even the State House according to the auditor’s report.
Reality must guide our actions, and with due respect, we ought to be harsh with its connotations if we are to live as a civilisednation. Greed is the mother of corruption, a virus is like consuming saline water, the more you consume the more you demand.
Remember there is life after death! Injecting hygiene through revitalisation of financial discipline, to curb the menace is buried in the coffin of the Anti-Corruption Bill.
Adding salt to injury, our beloved nation is polarised with an ugly atmospheric pressure of hate speech, personal attacks, character assassination, hypocrisy, greed, and abusive languages: such are uncustomary in any civilised nation more so The Gambia.
Politics of decency, moral cohesion, rescinding arrogance into maturity, preserving the ethics, norms, and values of our cherished ancestral heritage! Amid this feasible atmosphere of tolerance, ideas would be sold to the electorates for scrutiny, whereby a potential candidate is voted into office as a servant not as a demi-god as misconceived by nearly all if not most African Leaders.
It is rather unfortunate, that this is the dilemma confronting our beloved motherland. “For The Gambia, our homeland,
We strive and work and pray,
That all may live in unity,
Freedom and peace each day.
Let justice guide our actions
Towards the common good,
And join our diverse peoples
To prove man’s brotherhood.
We pledge our firm allegiance,
Our promise we renew;
Keep us, great God of nations,
To The Gambia ever true.”
These Sulphur ingredients silhouetting as National Pride must be a recipe in our Civil Service Delivery as Smiling Coast of Africa painted on The National Flag Peace! By and Large: stakes are high as to what are the prospects regarding our bemoaning awaiting OIC Summit swinging on the pendulum.
