“The Job of Every Diplomatic Mission is to Straighten Relation “–Senegalese Counsellor, Washington, DC.
By Yero Jallow
As Senegal Clocks 54 years, the Senegalese community in Minnesota (USA) gathered at the Shoreview Community Center to commemorate their 54 years of nationhood. The event, an annual gathering, was this time around graced by the Senegalese Diplomatic Counsellor, Honorable Oumar Kane, from the Embassy of Senegal in Washington, DC.
In a brief speech, Kane thanked the Senegalese community for their patriotism and highlighted on the significance of the Senegalese National Anthem –Pincez Tous Vos Koras. Kane further informed the august gather that Ambassador Sheikh Nyang was busy with some other Diplomatic guests from Senegal, so he was delegated to attend and straighten bilateral relations. In a special chat with Gainako, Kane said, “the job of every Diplomatic Mission is to straighten relation with their citizens and the host country (USA),” noting that he was recently in Memphis and Atlanta respectively as well, to meet other Senegalese Community members.
The Blast –Senegal, Independence, Culture, and the People.
The program which commenced with the National Anthem, was followed by a cultural show where a Senegalese princess “Lingeer” dressed in traditional cultural dress took the stage accompanied by her supposedly maidens. It was for a moment of applause and at once demonstrated the importance of culture with any people. From there on, I think the Tukulors and Serers were in a haste to take the dance stage. It was Senegal brought right to your door step, from the far, closing the gap of distance.
During a brief discussion with Gainako, the leader of the Senegalese Community, Badou Gaye, and special event organizer, Haddy Aidara, expressed gratitude in the turnout, the importance of cultural revival, and spirit of unity. In Badou’s own words, “The community is very supportive and this (event) is meant to get back everyone together.”
Attendees –Africans, Americans, etc …
According to Imam Muhammad Dukureh, who hailed from wartorn Liberia, the event congregated the people together. When quizzed by Gainako as to the Islamic stipulation on Independence and nationalism, the Honorable Imam cited a saying from Prophet Muhammad (SAW) through Bukhari, thus: “Love of country is part of faith.”
For Dr. Fatima T. Lawson, the cultural showcase is important, as it helps our kids to be connected and prevents them from being lost in the wider American community, a tendency that often trap many immigrants, and thus ended, “It instills in the kids cultural values and different cultures.”
For Alkali Ali Yaffa and Jonathan Rose, leaders of the Gambia and Sierra Leonean communities in Minnesota respectively,argued on the need to reach our across, with other communities, since we are the same people with similar backgrounds. When Jonathan was quizzed on what Senegal’s Independence means, he argued that it is a reflective day and was quick to add, thus: “Senegal is politically 54 years, though economically, she and most African countries are still dependent.”
Other attendees included Lang Dibba, Dawda Sowe, Wuyeh Sanneh, and so many other citizens from African nations who all showed up to pay tribute to Senegal on their 54th Independence anniversary.
Analysis –What is so different?
What is so different? The author of the piece will walk you through as he sees it on the day. It was nice seeing the Senegalese community together, but more inspiring, was the gracing of the august gathering by the Honorable Counsellor, Oumar Kane, who flew all the way from DC. To me, it was truly representing the Senegalese people. It is worth it and from Counsellor Kane himself, his only job, is to straighten bilateral relations with his own people and the Senegalese Government. It was very inspiring; to hear a Diplomatic counselor in his caliber, humble himself in such a manner. Kane neither praise-sing the Senegalese President Sall, nor did he beat his chest to boast of any achievement. He didn’t display his achievements, or any other thing he may have achieved, even though it was confided with this author that the counselor has done a great job at the Senegalese Embassy in Washington DC for the last four years. All Kane talked about was the pride in his people, his country, and how close to his heart the nation means to all Senegalese.
One is tempted to ask why drawing Comparism again, Mr. analyze everything? Last time I checked even Honorable Sallah has shortened his analysis? Well, the answer is not farfetched. I am drawing analysis and conclusions especially with our own home grown dictator with his representatives everywhere, who are rather further away from Gambian communities, partially because of their criminal and conical behaviors, partly because of some political egos and pomposity, and mostly because of lack of diplomatic training and the fear that their cupboard skeletal nibs are exposed. Shame to the inexperience, and only in Banjul, and under Jammeh’s rule, that education and experience are not close to being a criteria for selecting representatives, rather things are done on favoritism from a pool of hobbies and buddies, a dogma that have every tendency to wreck society and render it functionless.
This clearly serves as a clear lesson to Gambians and those aspiring to lead. Leadership cannot be forced on anyone and it is a clear choice. If you are interested in leading, follow the right channel, and do not hide under the covers of the sheep to devour the other animals at night. While we are fighting for our own liberation from the clutches of tyranny, we must be careful of our own inner devils, those egos that seem to champion self and worshipping leaders over everyone else. Removing that pride, the egos, the pomposity, the political jealousy, the tomfoolery acts, and overall not putting self intelligence over the very masses we seek to represent. The making of citizens as political fools doesn’t live long, as it is just a matter of time, before any hidden truth will surface on earth, and that is guaranteed. The likes of Kane from the Senegalese embassy in Washington DC has demonstrated their humility, at least when judging from this single occurrence, and it is therefore a need to all responsible citizens, anyone person who believes in peoples’ power, anyone that believes in collective “national” success over individual success, to pick it up from how it was done, and bring it to your life and people. It is not late. The house must start from the foundation. The structure of any house built on weak foundations will always collapse. It is like wanting to do calculus when your algebra is not right. No, you can’t do the calculus because it is not fitting you, though you can go back to correct your algebra and comfortably get to the calculus. Such can’t be done without clear conscience, it can’t be done by just few, it must be a collective responsibility, which recognizes no political grudge, and doesn’t discriminate or alienate any qualified citizen. Until then, happy weekend…and I will (Inshaa Allah) see you all in a liberated Gambia soon.