Hindsight and after thought are always 20/20. The aftermath of the Kanilai protest cum riots has taught the nation an expensive lesson of national security and cohesiveness. The Gambia though diverse enjoy a social fabric woven with an intricate yarn. Tribalism, religious intolerance have never been a Gambian problem. These ills have been amplified over the past two decades by an ill intentioned social despot whose personal interest of political survival collided with our interest of national unity. Jammeh is a product of a tolerant Gambia who helped raised a child from the fringes of our social mix to the most powerful person in this country. His ungratefulness polarised the views of some amongs his midst to alienate themselves from mainstream Gambia. The problem of Kanila is neither a Jola problem nor a Foni problem. It was an incident fanned and flame by the Butcher of Kanilai to destabilise the country. Therfore the people who subscribed to his philosophy are either reactionaries indoctrinated by Jammeh or short sighted Gambians who do not subscribe to our national ideals. I want to see the perpetrators of the Kanilai riots be brought before a court to face the consequences of their actions. No other group of Gambians understand first hand the ill effects of insurgency and belligerent acts as the people of Foni for they reside under the nose of the MFDC. Therefore, I expect them to be the first to denounce such attrocities.
The role of government is to effectively communicate with its citizens and manage their expectations. Listening to the video tapes coming out of Kanilai, I noticed a glaring disconnect between some elements in Foni and the Gambian reality. The only way to bridge this divide is to effectively communicate with the people of Foni and it starts with a presidential visit and dialogue. All citizens of our beautiful nation are equally important and relevant in our developmental aspirations. Therefore no Jola is insignificant nor trivial in our national life. Our common enemy is their disgraced kleptocratic son Yahya Jammeh. Jammeh has brought disrepute to a noble group of people. We should remind those elements fermenting discord that their loyalty lies to country not individuals. The ECOMIG CONTINGENT is here to stay and we all need to find a mutually beneficial arrangement to coexist with them. Jammeh's wish of exposing the security vulnerability of this country to his scornful wishes will never be realised. The time has come for all Gambians to march to the promise land of prosperity ensemble. No one will be left behind. I am that Jola lady as my sisters name sake was Fatou Woula Badjie, I am that Mandinka as my cousin Numu Darboe hails from Niani. I am that Manjago as my aunt Jainaba Fourmose Gomez was one. I am that Fula as my grandmother Fatou Bah was one. I am Gambia because my diversity is my strenght. My interest is to usher a new dawn. A dawn premised on social equity, justice and opportunity for all. God bless the land of Maba Jahou and Kunta Kinteh. We can thrive if we see ourselves as Gambians. The wollofs of old would have said " Ganaaw aiyee di jamaa". My condolences to the family of #HarunaJatta and his death deserves an inquest because all lives matter. For the Gambia I remain ever true
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