By Ebrima Manneh
In a nation where liberties are willfully violated and rights continuously denied, concerned citizens find it a moral responsibility to do whatever it takes to reclaim their basic rights. It is a moral injustice and an unfair burden for a small minority to take up what should be the overall responsibility of a whole nation. The current regime in Gambia continues to impose draconian and undemocratic laws because we the people have failed to put up resistance and have willingly accepted to be herded. As Dr. Ben Carson clearly puts it, “For freedom is an elusive bird, continuously on the move, distancing itself from complacency.” Dr. King also lamented on the effects of complacency. He criticized complacency born of years of oppression as well as those that benefit from the oppressive regime, the enablers. Do we value our freedom enough to pursue it, or have we become too complacent and comfortable and therefore regarded oppression as an acceptable way of life?
As we try to find answers and forge a way out of our current predicament, a question that is often asked is how did a nation that was once considered one of the rising democracies in Africa after colonialism, lose it’s moral fabric? Failure to take proactive and stern measures against tyranny, complaining without offering solutions and not taking appropriate action has given the wrong signal that oppression is an acceptable ordeal. There are clear indications that dictators do not have the best interest of the people at heart though they present themselves as patriots. Dictators have mysterious ways of making people believe the unbelievable and replace the truth with falsehood. Over time, we have settled for being herded by a leader who believes he knows what is best for us when all the evidence and his governing policies indicate otherwise. Good leaders show genuine interest in advancing the welfare of the people and therefore operate under the virtues of love, generosity, mercy, and ensure that equal rights and justice for all prevail. What we have in Gambia is the contrary; a president that exercises absolute power and control over the lives of ordinary citizens. Bad leaders test the courage and will of the people, and it is quite evident that complacency and inaction breed tyranny in the Gambia.
Yaya Jammeh succeeded in maintaining a grip on power this long because of his adoption of the Machiavellian political theory of injecting fear through intimidation, and uses coercion to mislead the people. He continues to use terror to silence the opposition and anyone he perceives to be against his policies. He enacted sedition laws to deny free of speech and freedom of expression. This regime continues to make headlines due to the highly publicized and notorious human rights violations. This is manifested in the unlawful arrests and detentions of citizens, and bogus charges against them followed by long prison sentences without a chance to a free and fair trial. All dictators believe that when excessive power is used, individuals can be brought to obey and the ruler will be able to maintain the state in safety and security. This is definitely a principle that Yaya Jammeh believes in and uses to exert total control of the country’s resources while silencing any form of dissent.
Good leaders influence their people with virtues such as goodness, righteousness, honesty and positive charisma. This is what the country experienced under the leadership of President Jawara. He set the tone for a caring nation with inclusive policies that allowed people to live side by side despite their political, religious, or tribal differences. He understood the needs of the people he was serving and responded compassionately while treating them with dignity and respect. This was a president that embraced diversity and allowed his countrymen and women to enjoy their God-given rights as long as they did not break the law. This was a charismatic leader that used motivation to inspire people but not threatening language and measures to instill fear. With the realization that motivation and empowerment are force multipliers, he allowed ministers and department heads to make decisions independently without fear of retribution. He understood that repression only breeds resentment and resistance.
Dictators on the other hand, use the fear psychosis as a silencing technique. Yaya Jammeh, like all other dictators, mastered the art of deception through false propaganda. He continues to use the “Big Lie Theory” that Hitler advocated as an effective propaganda mechanism. Hitler once wrote that to win the support of the masses, you have to make people believe that heaven is hell and hell is heaven.” Yaya Jammeh has so far achieved success by utilizing this deceptive theory. He made a lot of unachievable promises and policies and continues to make them because he is getting the anticipated outcome. The first republic under the leadership of president Jawara received praise for its adherence to democratic norms and principles, yet Yaya Jammeh and his comrades succeeded in brainwashing and convincing the people that the previous government was corrupt and has failed them. He promised to end corruption and replace it with transparency, accountability and probity. It did not take long for the country to realize he had an ulterior motive. He slowly implemented an unaccountable and nontransparent government that is not answerable to any pillar of government because power solely belongs to him. The other pillars of government, the legislative, and Judiciary branches have become dormant and irrelevant since this regime came into power. The lack of effective representation in the house and the absence of checks and balances derail the democratic process.
This president uses the national economy as his own and indulges in wasteful spending. He completely ignores the urgent needs of the people such as invest in effective poverty eradication policies, an improved healthcare system, and an effective education system that will develop informed citizens and a viable workforce committed to national development. Instead he spends the tax payers and money from donor agencies on endless festivities, and on selected segments of the population. Loyalists and supporters are favored with special privileges such as bureaucratic posts, given access to facilities, and other vital services. Those that do not support the dictatorship are denied such privileges and subjected to scrutiny, arbitrary arrests, and torture. The favoritism that dictators enact is an intended divisive strategy to weaken unity which enables them to further strengthen their grip on power.
As a nation, we must wake up from the deep slumber and defeat dictatorship, and give the country back to the people. Throughout history societies that are inflicted with “ugly records of brutality” take appropriate action in a timely manner to demand their rights. We must demonstrate equal concern and devotion in the fight to attain equal rights and justice for all. We must eradicate fanaticism and exercise religious tolerance and rebuild the broken bridges caused by tyranny. We cannot continue to ostracize our neighbors based on their believe system. Gambia has always been a secular state that benefited from religious coexistence. The current state of affairs is fanaticism injected into the minds of the people as a propaganda and deception mechanism. We must be inspired by the determination of societies that had to put up staunch resistance to end dictatorship. The civil rights and the anti-apartheid movements are admired for working and fighting together. There was a vibrant youth movement that did not let the fears of their parents stop them. They were willing to confront anything that stood against the attainment of their goals. The parents had no other option but to support and defend the interests of their children. Concern citizens of all races and faiths join the fight to demand equal protection under the law.
What we are calling for and envision in Gambia and is a culture of collective responsive in seeking the social good that provides equal opportunity. Parents must focus on demanding effective education for their children so they can become informed citizens that are national treasures instead of loyalists to tyranny. To defeat tyranny, we must get rid of greed, selfishness, self aggrandizement, and work together to achieve our collective objectives. We must demonstrate utmost courage and fight for the rights of all in our communities. We cannot carry on this path of religious hypocrisy and condone the division created by this regime to weaken our cohesion. We must trust God for our strength and salvation comes from Him. We will not be led astray if we truly believe that because we will seek and receive the truth from God.
The time is now for us to come together under one banner. We cannot fail because our fight is sincere and noble. It is the right fight because it is the fight to reinstate rule of law in our motherland. We must be willing to accept the challenges that come with it. Fighting to achieve the greater good is a selfless endeavor and a moral responsibility. We must join the fight and end the selfish notion that since it does not impact us directly, it is not our fight. President Kennedy once said that “The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one are threatened.” We cannot let fear silence us into accepting continuous inhumane treatment. With this regime, it is just a matter of time when wrath of this lunatic will be delivered to your door step. It is a selfless service and should be everyone’s desire to make a difference in other people’s lives. I find selfless service to be a very noble and a truly admirable value, which signifies giving and impacting other people’s lives without any material reward. Of course there is a self fulfillment attained from doing good, which is the joy in seeing other people happy. This is in itself is a great social achievement.
Our fight to end tyranny should be motivated by our desire to do good and end human suffering. The opposition groups and individuals fighting to end tyranny must recognize their shared objectives and come together as a strong unified force to end this mayhem and return the country to civility. We want to live in a country with strong democratic principles that allow people to exercise their civil rights, worship as they please, and enjoy all other civil liberties ordained by the Almighty. One individual should not take this away from the people. The fight for justice is an ongoing endeavor that requires endurance, perseverance, resilience and it is only the patient that will stay on board. We are therefore asking the Almighty God to give us the continued spirit to carry on the people’s fight. We pray for peace and justice in our motherland and peace throughout world.