When Strategic Interest Overwites Economic Interest

First of, I must renew my Pan African credentials by praying for closer political and socioeconomic ties for the people of Africa particularly the people of SeneGambia. The recent pronouncement for the construction of a bridge at the Yelli Tenda/Baba Tenda crossing to cement closer ties with our sister country (Senegal) is a welcome move but I will qualify this milestone with a caveat “Buyer Be Ware”. This implies that the State of Gambia need to know fully what it is getting into and to have adequate legal cushion to exercise a force majeure as and when required to protect first and foremost the national interest of her people.

There is nothing wrong with opening up our territorial space to Senegal for the ease of commerce and movement of her people as this will boost our economic dividends and broaden the fraternal ties that bind the two countries. Furthermore, it is my humble opinion that such closer ties will rectify an anomaly that has been the creation of the colonialist who divided one people into two countries. However, the financing and construction of the bridge MUST BE entirely a Gambian initiative as the issue of equity can compromise our sovereignty. Senegal being a co-financier of this noble initiative accords them an irrefutable stake for an unfettered right of access as long as the bridge is operational. The Government of the Gambia should have sourced alternate financing initiatives that will efface the issues of sovereignty and this could have been addressed through a public/private initiative whereby by private capital would finance the construction of the bridge and the capital investment will be recovered through toll charges.

Political expediency has always been the corner stone of future disputes that could be averted if proper due diligence and strategic national considerations are factored in the decision matrices for the adoption of major public goods. Having co- financing being the model applied, the two nations have inadvertently diluted the respective national territorial space into one thereby creating one SeneGambia. Therefore we need to accept the symbiotic nature of our existence and forge a meaningful coexistence that will usher in a dawn of a new day for the people of SeneGambia. Border closures and trade impediments should not be a way of life for the people of SeneGambia. We Demand from our political class to foster closer bilateral ties that will culminate into common market. The construction of this bridge has paved the way for the Government of the Gambia to look into the funding and construction of a more ambitious project (Banjul/Barra Crossing). This project in my opinion will be the Suez Canal or China wall equivalent for the Gambia.

DECISION #GM22O 2016

Soul searching and reflection are introspective human traits that often realign our thoughts once we get off track. Is the Gambian off track? I dare say that we are far off tangent and this is a malaise suffered by both sides of the political divide (GOP & INCUMBENT). Our short comings are many like most ordinary humans as they embark on their daily chores and routines. What's missing in our national discourse and interactions are sincerity and courage of conviction. Opportunism has eroded our sincerity and a spine less human cannot stand tall. Politics is not a vocational nor a carrier to make a living out of. Most respected politicians have a carrier or profession outside of public service. Indeed public service is a noble endeavor but we cannot leverage our lives on it. My wish for the Gambia is to see young vibrant able bodies to partake in the political life of the country we all claimed to own. Our participation must not be passive but a deliberate active participation backed by conviction and devotion to duty, honour and country. The retardation of our beloved Gambia is underpinned by the youth folk (me & you) whose personal interest often override the greater good. Decision 2016 for ##GM220 is months away and the youth folk are deal makers and Game changers depending on what their franchise means to them. We must do away with politics of personality and for the first time in the history of the Gambia vote on a score card filled with issues that have a socioeconomic compass and entrenchment of people's rights. The interest of the Gambia is bigger than any demographic segment of society and or any special interest or agenda. Our conscience must be our moral compass once we enter the booth to make a choice. The ultimate responsibility of a citizen is to pay taxes and vote and these two duties must be executed without fear or reprisal. The trajectory of our national solely lie in the hands of the polity not the political class. Lets scrutinise our politicians and force them to work hard for our coveted votes. I love Gambia more than any politician and my vote is for the best amongst the lot. Therefore I am shopping for a candidate and I must be convinced. Leadership is not only about vision but a resolute and firm character to galvanise our devise people. Please let us not vote on tribal or economic/ social interest but on the basis of cultivating a vibrant Gambia with abundant economic opportunities and social equity and justice for all. Just my thoughts as Decision 2016 draws near. My allegiance is to Gambia and my vote is personal and dear to me in furtherance of a progressive Gambia. Having domion over a prospective political office seeker, I reign supreme as the words "we the people" is priceless and a lethal weapon of the polity. God bless Gambia.

THE MISEDUCATION OF THE GAMBIAN

The yolk of colonial bondage and subjugation have been crushed but colonialism and its excesses have surely taken a toll on the Gambian mentality. A good number of our population are post Independence Gambians whose interaction with the colonials are non existant but yet still, they suffer from a colonial hang over. This existential threat has delayed our collective progress particularly in the sphere of nation building and national cohesion.

Our social elite particularly the political class have continued where the colonials left off. It is normal for the colonials to ransack and loot us as this was not a hidden agenda but a deliberate policy of acquisition and accumulation by the unconscionable British Crown. Having our own looting and plundering from our common wealth is not only disturbing but a perpetuation of the colonial agenda of under developing the homeland. The reason our forebearers the Maba Jahou's, Sait Matty, Musa Molloh and Foday Kaba put up a formidable resistance against the tyranny of the British was to restore dignity of the indegenous. This agenda was further agitated by the architects of Independence. Therefore having our political class subjugate our inalienable rights reserved and protected by not only our sacrosanct cononstitutional instruments and generally accepted universal rights amounts to regression from Independence Gambia to pre independence. The colonials made us believe that power lies with them and this was not only a fallacy but a tool of repression and misinformation. Once again, the political class since independence failed to educate the Gambian of his/her rights within a constitutional framework. "We the people" is a force bigger that the political class or anyone for that matter. Power lies in the polity hence our prerogative to elect representaves and leadership.  We are the custodians of power and the political machinery MUST work for our common good or we revolt against it in the form of elections. The English language is very clear about the position of politicians and public officials.They are deliberately and accurately referred to Public servants and civil servants respectively as they receive their mandate from us (we the people). Any well meaning leader will re educate the Gambian and address the deliberate anomaly that witness a servant usurping the power of people. Power must return to its rightful owners the people. The divisive political maneuvers of the colonials prolonged their stay and welcome in our homeland as we lacked a common resolve and unity of purpose to see our common enemy the British but we bicker and destroy eachother. Equally our political class continued with this devisive political weapon and this significantly contributed to the non Gambianization of the Gambian whose anthem called for unity and brotherhood. This ugly vice delayed our March towards the common good. It's time we sanction our political class for they have ushered the flock  to obscurity and destitution. A well meaning leader will restore power and dignity to the owners of power by educating and empowering them. We the people is cast in stone and we should not fear to ask for what is rightfully ours. We are the installers of rulers and the final arbiter with regards to where power lies. Booker T Washington in the MISEDUCATION OF THE NEGRO highlighted ignorance as an impetus in the advancement of colored folks. Equally ignorance is a road block for the upliftment of the Gambian at home and abroad as we export our vices to distant lands. School has gone through most of us and we have achieved the pinnacle of academic success but we have not gone through school because our mindset is still colonised.  Freedom starts with purging mental slavery. Happy Independence to all. Lets take stock of our colonial hangover to fight corruption, inequality, tribalism and nepotism.

Gambia @ 51

My status bar updates these past few days have been deliberately inundated with narratives and retrospective redirection and focus on the people who brought us this far. In the beginning there was a land called Kambi Bolongho and God said let Gambia be and the nation state called Gambia was conceived. A lot of consensus building and compromise culminated to February 18 1965. Not everyone got what they wanted but they mustered their resolve to usher the birth of our nation. My heartfelt admiration and respect to our founding fathers. Like Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Nkrumah, Sedat Senghor and others before them, our founding fathers meant well but their short coming was that they were not cut out to be nation builders but they have performed diligently given the development tool kit at their disposal. That said, life has to go on and there is still room for improvement and it starts with love for country, respect for each other and a society that respects what people bring to the table. We harbor insidious mistrust and stereo types that puts us at odds with the common good of the average Gambian. 51 years and counting, and we are still struggling to create a Gambian identity devoid of tribal, class and regional nuances that deter our common aspirations. Our history has been defined by people (the colonials) who had a vested interest in our disunity. The sentiments we harbor towards each other is a consequent of that narrative brought about by the mischievous colonialists. Their narrative for men like Edward Francis Small and PS Njie is not only inaccurate but perpetrated to sow the seeds of discord. To call Edward Francis Small a trouble maker or a bad son of the soil is to dishonor his selfless attempts to emancipate the mind of the Gambian particularly the peasant folk. Associating PS Njie with tribalism tantamount to being a political and historical novice. These men had conviction and wanted to regain our dignity and right to self determination. That said, we need to embark on a journey of self discovery through educational reorientation as the old adage “Man know thy self” is pertinent to the Gambian experience.

I may not be around in 2065 to celebrate our centennial but my dream is to see a country led by Gambians in all spheres of life. A country that is economically buoyant and opportunities created for the entrepreneurial class to be captains of industry and employment generation. A country where poverty is eradicated and opportunities for upward mobility are presented to people who want to excel. In the political space, I will love to see a country where politics of personality is replaced by issue oriented politics and the electorate are not hoodwinked by the political class. Cronyism and opportunism which are parasitic traits of modern Gambia curbed. A country with a social contract that tolerates non conventional views. A hub for and launch pad for all things Africa. This can only be achieved if we commit to serious attitudinal change and dedication to the common good. The interest of the sum total of Gambia is greater than the interest of one and we must be god fearing and conscientious in deed. Gambia can't sink and will not sink because our collective resolve is insurmountable. We should be a law abiding nation with equal opportunity granted to all. May god guide and protect our mother land and may we live to witness our dreams and aspirations attained in furtherance of the nation we love to make better. May our leaders have the vision and fortitude to work towards the common good. For the Gambia ever true and we need to rededicate and work for the interest of the home land. Independence day is not about politics but finding our common resolve as Gambians. No one person or group will be victorious as we are all in the same boat and fear the same fate if the boat sends a distress signal. We will all walk to the gates of the promise land called Gambia if we toil for her. Lets all take a moment and pray for the architects and founding fathers of  our beloved Gambia. Gambia at 51 would not have been realized without the efforts of men such as Edward Francis Small, JC Faye, PS Njie, David Kwesi Jawara, Sanjally Bojang, St Clair Joof. IBM Garba Jahumpa, M.E Jallow and and many other unsung heroes. Going forward we need to dedicate a public holiday entitled “Heroes Day to our fore bearers for the gallant work of ushering a dawn of a new day that reinstated pride and dignity in Gambians. Happy 51st Independence Anniversary and let’s get back to work in the service of the state. Gambia sunu reww ligaay mou natt. Divisive politics and subjugation MUST NOT BE TOLERATED as our forebearers have sacrificed for generations yet unborn and we must jealously guard the gains they made to gave us hope for a better day. Happy Independence to all irrespective of political affiliation. 18 February is a day of brotherhood. One Gambia, One people

Tribal Affiliation A Wedge Towards A National Identity

It is evident that the passage of time has not changed the Gambian psyche and sociopolitical norms. We do still have a hangover from the colonial era. The English did a good job dividing us in units we called tribe and our loyalty was based more on the tribe than the nation state we identify with. My previous post about PS Njie and his political ideology has reaffirmed my belief that not much has changed in our state of mind. Colonialism has done considerable harm to us and decolonizing our minds has been a futile endeavor and our collective progress is deterred by our inability to think as a national unit. Therefore Gambia@51 is still reminiscent of Gambia 1965 when our national interest was secondary to our tribal allegiance. This has nothing to do with a particular tribe but all of us as a collective. We still harbor stereotypes and sentiments that will only delay our common aspirations. 

The opportunists amongst our lot prey on the social vulnerabilities we possess particularly the political class. If we want to be a successful nation we need to see ourselves as a common entity with a common purpose. It baffles me that the 2016 Gambian still behaves like our ancestors who were just transitioning from communal living into modernism. Our intolerance, prejudice and harbored anger serves us no good. My assessment of Gambia@51 is that we belong to a State that is not at peace with itself for some of us believe we were not at the dinner table in the last republic and therefore have all rights to enjoy the spoils of office and social mobility whilst another group feel like they have been victimized by the new entrants. No ONE has an absolute monopoly of the Gambia and this is where our problem starts as some see Gambia as their fiefdom. Morality and consciousness cannot be legislated but it should be inculcated in us through sensitization and moral suassion. I am a Gambian whose allegiance is to country not tribe. Our behavior is not in conformity with modernism and this sentiment impedes our growth and development. The time has come for us to have frank discussions about country, attitudes and perceived entitlements. Our main problem is not politics but prejudice and perceived entitlement. Secondly our leaders are a function of the society they govern therefore we need to be introspective and do a deep soul searching on our convoluted psyche. Most of us DO NOT believe in a cause but join the band wagon as it serves our personal interest. This is whats scary about the "Gambian" a beast of burden whose personal interest supersedes the collective and therefore impede the development of the nation state we claim to love. The face changes we see in the political arena and switching of political allegiance have been here for the longest because dignity, loyalty and conscience is somehow absent in our personal decision matrices but we tend to talk about these values often but rarely practice them. For the Gambia to change we first need to change then we can hold our leaders accountable. The destruction of social order (value system, merit based society and collective good) has been kicked to the curb for personal gain. 51 years of hog wash cannot take the Gambia forward. We need to be sincere, authentic and stop the maslaha as that is not only hypocritical but inhuman. Lets face our demons and take the bad in us if we want to prosper as a state. Sibohru, Dogoh dogoh, boleh wanteh, envy is the cancer that has disintegrated our national fabric or what was left of it. Imagine an entity that is less than 2 million people and cannot find consensus on the most mundane things. I am a mandinka but not only a mandinka but Kiangka, badibunka ets, A wollof but not only a wollof, Saloum saloum, Fana fana etc. A messed up state of affairs that suits the political class but goes against the grain of nation building and national cohesion. What is a Gambian? A Gambian does not exist because we do not share common ideals as a people. Gambia@51 needs leadership that can galvanize us around common ideals not tribal affiliations etc. Sorry for my rants I AM JUST SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED

China-Africa Relations - A leech Or A Partner?

The slogan “Africa Rising” has become the drum beat of many African optimist and political opportunist. The rapid growth pace of Africa’s GDP has been touted as a success and hope for a new Africa but what pundits fail to observe is where is this growth coming from and at what price to the ordinary African? This brings me to the new found Sino-African relationship. Many analysts are of the view that this new economic nuptial is a good partnership with Africa and I sarcastically opined; at what price? In life, we don’t get what we deserve but we get what we negotiate for. China like the Europeans before them are only interested in African raw materials to fuel the surge of industrialization taking place in mainland China. Therefore it remains to be an extractionary policy whereby raw materials are extracted out of the continent and brought back as transformed goods to be sold to  Africans whose insatiable appetite for Chinese products are inexhaustible. 

Chinese companies under the banner of the People’s Republic have been signing contracts with African governments to extract natural endowment without recourse to the environment, fiduciary diligence or human rights record. Well as purchasers of African resources, they are not obliged legally to be the moral police for the citizens of Africa whose leaders have often railroaded them as it relates to the public interest in selling off our collective endowments. Our leadership have once again failed us in the dispensation of its duties as it relates to being the custodians of our collective wealth. Natural raw materials are depletable assets therefore proceeds derived from the sale of such assets should be spent on long term fixed assets so that future generations of Africans can benefit from the resources extracted on their behalf. The lesson learned from the Chinese invasion of Africa is that the Africans still have weak institutions and strong leadership and the collective interest of society is yet to be protected. Therefore China’s presence in Africa has done little to change the economic fortunes of the ordinary African citizen or better  yet it has transformed the ordinary African citizen into consumption junkies whose appetite for consumer goods such as cell phones, tablets and flat screens are leaving the continent with a current account deficit which encourages capital out flow as import surges over exports.

I am of the view that trade is good but it has to be fair and mutually beneficial. Therefore our new found arrangement with China has to be revisited ex ante with new condition precedent that implore on them to engage in  value transformation for the raw materials purchased by building factories in Africa. This will ensure sustainable livelihoods for Africa’s lot whose hopes are dashed by empty promises and rhetoric being spewed by our political class. China has bribed its way to the top by building the new African Union Complex in Addis Abbaba therefore most if not all of Africa’s constituents are in the pockets of the Chinese interest. Hence my view of China as an extension of  our former colonial masters. The only difference between the Chinese and the European position is political power. They have no vested interest in how the political dispensation is managed. 

Gambia A Case Of Social Disconnect Guised In Political Immaturity

The social fabric of Gambian society though thin is woven with intricate yarn that often gets tangle as the loom patiently weave it together yarn by yarn. This fabric looks appealing in the eye of the beholder but its composition lacks cohesion and fortitude as an entity.

We often blame politics for our societal woes but the ills that plaque us are deeply rooted within our social sphere. Social cohesion fosters unity of purpose and Gambians as an aggregate do not have a common unity of purpose. The absence of a common social denominator bring to light many nuances that we ascribe to politics but they lack any political confluence. Pre Independence Gambia was made up of the colonials at the apex of the social hierachy and the Creoles/Akus as their surrugate and proxies. The Wollofs acted as conduits/interlocutors between the appointed proxies and the general population. Bulk of todays inhabitants of the Gambia were considered protectorate subjects and limited power was vested on them. The coming of age of the sons of the protectorate brought about the formation of the PPP. The mandinkas were the majority but there were fulas, sarahules and Jolas in their midst. The organizational effectiveness of this new entity upsetted the status quo in Banjul and finally led to a government led by the PPP. The social dynamics shifted as the sons of the protectorate spearheaded the affairs of state. They invited influential wollofs and Akus to be part of the government. This arrangrment diluted the objectives of the protectorate agenda and promoted a special interest agenda. This might not have been by design but it became the order of the day. Fast forward to 1985-87 malfeasance and political decadence gave rise to the likes of Assan Thicks Manneh who was disenchanted with the political dispensation of the time. His sentiments were echoed by the general public and this gave rise to a social divide who saw themselves as social under dogs pegged against the priviledge and entitled. This notion not only gave a stamp of approval to the events of 1994 but entrenched its existence. The heart and soul of the support base of J22/94 is the ordinary citizen whilst the upper crust of society wanted a resumption of the status quo pre J22/94. This notion has spilled into the new mellenium and widening the social divide of the country we all claimed to own. Our social realities are varied and depending on the lenses we looking from, the vision can be blurry for some and clear for others.

Going forward, it is incumbent on all and sundry especially political incumbents and aspirants to help promote and foster a cohesive Gambia whose unity of purpose is the promotion of a common ideal in furtherance of the nation we all claim to love. Peace is not just the absence of war and a nation at peace with itself will love, honor, celebrate, promote and champion the cause of its sons and daughters. Hatred for eachother is clearly manifested in the deep rooted perceptions we have towards each other be it the semester syndrome, rural versus urban, educated versus uneducated, opposition versus incumbent etc. The sooner we collectively realize that the interest of our dearly beloved Gambia is greater than that of an individual or the sum total of the 2 million inhabitants, the better. The sooner we work towards closing the socioeconomic divide, the sooner we build a nation whose fabric is woven on an unbreakable yarn that will never disintegrate nor stretch out of its demarcated parameters.

The jealously, hate, disdain are all anchored on on a rocky social contract that lacks merit and equity as its base. An equitable society breeds sustainable development and sustainable development promotes economic prosperity. Lets purge our minds and hearts in a bid for a lasting national unity were the motto is one for all and all for one. For the Gambia ever true and we MUST pledge our firm allegiance to COUNTRY and honor