By Ebrima Manneh
After all the brutalization and sadistic treatment experienced under Yaya Jammeh’s reign, there is an unexplainable silence and conformity, loyalty and lack of a mass uprising that will shake and oust this regime. The fact that dictators use the fear psychosis and the “Big Lie Theory” as their propaganda doctrine in keeping the masses under control is no longer a mystery. It is not a secret that terror has been an effective weapon that the Jammeh regime uses to silence and suppress dissent. Jammeh like all other dictators, appealed to the people as being glorious, a nationalist, and possesses religious superiority. This proved to be an effective weapon in misguiding and winning the loyalty of the people.
The cruelty that continues to be levied against the Gambian people and the illegal targeting of innocent citizens is incomprehensible and unacceptable. The morality and cohesion of the society has deteriorated because the Jammeh regime injected hate and mistrust within the community. This has impeded our unity and weakened our strength. When a government threatens the existence of the people by denying them their God-given and all basic rights, they must be compelled to fight courageously to reclaim their rights. This regime has plunged the country into the worst economic and social conditions due to the leader’s excessive craving for wealth and power. It is evident that Yaya Jammeh took advantage of his position, the naivety and ignorance of the people to enrich himself and his family. He patronizes his enablers while the rest of the population especially those he considers his opponents, struggle for survival due to denial of business or employment opportunities. The price of freedom could be costly but it is worth fighting for and preserving if we appreciate and cherish the benefits of living in a free society. The false sense of security that the people were lured into has been verified and proven to be unrealistic. The deceptive strategy of turning youth groups into loyalists, used and eventually discarded after a fall out, exposes the treacherous nature of this regime. The denial of freedom of speech and access to valuable information is a conceived fear that exposure to current world affairs will embolden and enlighten the citizens to action. With all the violations of rights and atrocities committed against ordinary citizens, the people remain unassertive and non-committal to take action for regime change. Can ignorance be blamed for the poor attitude and lack of enthusiasm in controlling our destiny? Can ignorance be an acceptable excuse for not taking appropriate action to save a nation that is on the brink of collapsing? One can only make an assessment that embarking on citizenship education would be the best option to develop concerned and informed citizens that will take control of their lives and not be herded as sheep.
Citizenship education enhances moral and social awareness, and enables people to take responsibility of their lives and communities. Advocates of citizenship education emphasize its role in building character, values, interactive communication skills, which are all essential elements in a democratic society. The desired outcome for citizenship education is that citizens take active roles in the political process. Democratic structures rely on the active participation of citizens who are aware of their rights and responsibilities, informed about the social and political world, and are concerned about the welfare of others. Citizens with informed consent have the enthusiasm and moral standards that cannot be suppressed in the face of evil. Such enthusiasm and morality provides the confidence and courage to fight and end injustice in their societies. A good education strengthens an individual’s belief in a higher power and this gives the moral guidance to exercise self-worth and confidence. A good and effective education is the cornerstone of a democratic society in which citizens feel obligated to participate in social and political change. Education that promotes human virtues guide citizens to know the truth and make decisions based on this imminent truth. Saint Thomas said that ” Truth is the same for all, but it is not equally known to all.” Lack of this knowledge by the masses is what leads to being attracted to the wrong temptations resulting to a distortion of our democratic values.
It is clear that democratic values and attitudes can hardly be learned within undemocratic structures. The fight to end dictatorship and restore a democratic society in which civil institutions such as the courts, the judiciary system, and security service can operate independently to serve and protect the interests of the public should be a collective duty. When a democratic society is restored, key institutions like a free press and independent universities responsible for developing future leaders, can function effectively. Without commitment and sacrifice, the restoration of demorcacy and a civil society remains a mere rhetoric. We must exercise our God-given rights by demonstrating and demanding for change. We must write to our representatives and request assistance for an end to dictatorship and injustice. During difficult and challenging times, people must switch from being spectators to being players to effect change. We must be guided by our conscience and love for righteousness to end this reckless tyranny. Successful revolutions were orchestrated by great leaders and the relentless support of ordinary citizens. The reasons for selfless service may vary but let us be guided by the high motive of doing what God wants, demonstrate kindness and generosity, come to the defense of our neighbors and demand that justice be done to them.