As we mark 19 years of tyrannical rule in the Gambia, as abusive as it is obscurantist, The Campaign for Democratic Change Gambia (CDCG), in its inaugural statement on this day of infamy in our political calendar, will echo the resounding and continuing denunciation of the APRC government and Yahya Jammeh’s diabolical regime, by all men and women of conscience around the world.In doing so we reaffirm our conviction that July 22, commonly dubbed “Freedom Day” by the dictatorial regime of Yahya Jammeh, was the day that democracy, human rights and freedom died in the Gambia.
For the vast majority of Gambians both at home and abroad, 22nd July 1994 represented the beginning of our current nightmare; a day of outrage that will remain so for thousands of Gambians, whose loved ones have been killed, tortured, disappeared and falsely imprisoned in the 19 years of this modern day pogrom.
The date of 22nd July will forever be remembered as the harbinger of doom and despair for thousands more, whose lives have been devastated by state orchestrated violence, brutality and savagery, aimed at instilling fear in the hearts and minds of Gambians, in order to forestall and discourage legitimate dissent.
As Yahya Jammeh and his vicious regime celebrate their false revolution, men and women of conscience around the world choose to rather remember the countless number of victims of the regime’s continuing reign of terror and to remember them in our collective and personal prayers, during this holy month of Ramadan.
As we pray for change so must we work for the same, and in that regard CDCG is seeking to join hands with all like-minded organisations and individuals; Gambian and non-Gambian alike, to advance the fight for the restoration of democracy and the rule of law in The Gambia. We must cease agonizing over our plight as a people, and resolutely organise to regain our freedoms and dignity.
As Gambians take a lead in our own fight for liberty and human rights, we call upon the international community and friends of The Gambia, to work with Gambian democrats to end impunity and the blatant abuse of power in our country. We call specifically on the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) to hold The Gambia Government accountable, under existing protocols, for the systemic violations of the human rights of Gambians and other ECOWAS nationals residing in the country and for its arrogance and bad faith in refusing to comply with rulings and judgements of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice (ECCJ).
We also urge the European Union (EU), which is currently engaged in talks sanctioned under the ATP-ACP Cotounou Treaty process, to remain committed to the enlightened values of respect for human rights and good governance and for the promotion of open democratic society in The Gambia. That no stone should be left unturned in our common efforts to hold the government of the Yahya Jammeh accountable for the repeated violation of Treaty laws and for the abuse of fundamental freedoms of citizens.
As Gambians around the world mark 22nd July as the Day of Infamy, CDCG is calling on all Gambians to redouble efforts, to forge alliances and consolidate the gains of our fight for democracy in order to defeat tyranny in the Gambia.
CDC(Gambia)
Chairperson…Mr.BB Dabo
London
22 July 2013