Link to full Audio (Courtesy of Faturadio)
By DBanjulist
The Gambian President Yahya Jammeh is on his usual tirade against his citizens and neighbors who he is supposed to be making peace with. Jammeh made disparaging remarks against the Senegalese President Macky Sall during a speech at his constitutionally mandated “Meet the peoples Tour” in Farafenni this Wednesday which is a border town with strategic economic and security significance between the two countries.
The President called Senegal’s leader, Macky Sall “a hypocrite”, blaming him for the border dispute over Tranquil which he said must be placed firmly on the Senegalese government. Continuing his verbal attack and threat on the Senegalese leadership, he boldly claimed to be a better leader than Senegalese Presidents who have served during his 22 years in power, from Abdou Joof to Abdoulie Wade and current Senegalese President, Macky Sall.
In an attempt to pile up more blame on the Senegalese Government he openly blamed Senegal for harboring what he referred to as “exiled Gambian bandits”. In his usual bullish mood and surrounded by heavy military personnel he stated that “I am ready for Senegal in every way” threatening that he is in a strong position to confront the Senegalese government. President Jammeh’s major hatred for the Senegalese authorities can be directly linked to his repeated demands that Senegal expels Gambian dissidents who he sees as a threat to his regime. Senegal’s failure to trust him to mediate in their country’s southern border crisis with Cassamance which Jammeh is alleged to have a hand in does not sit well with the Gambian dictator as well.
What is very clear is that there is a starch difference on how the two countries run their governments and respond to international obligations. While Senegalese continue to nurture Democracy, rule of law and good governance, Gambia’s Jammeh continue to strive on oppressing his people and wagging a battle against his own citizens. With those differences Senegal seems to attract more foreign investors, foreign aid and is more acceptable to the International community than Gambia. This clearly reflects on the work of the two leaders and how they exercise their power both internally and externally. As a result President Jammeh is very resentful of Senegal and other subregional countries who he calls “Puppets of the West”. The fact remains that Gambia continue to be on the radar of the international community due to its dismal human rights records and lack of press freedom.
According to Gainako’s reporter Dbanjulist, Jammeh’s speech as usual was very unprofessional and only fuels division and potential conflict between the two countries. For a President to openly declare that he is crazier than his most important strategic neigbor does not help the relationship between the two nations who share the same border. In fact, Senegal surrounds the tiny Gambia in all areas except the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean. It is eight times bigger than Gambia and economically more viable. Jammeh’s view on what he refers to as “Senegal don’t want to listen to The Gambia and is not interested in peace between the two nations.” is counter productive. Referring to the Senegalese government as “a Bad government who wants to destabilize the peace between the two countries” is very unfortunate.
Jammeh’s unrestricted assault on Senegal calling them “Senegal does not have independence and they are being controlled by France” is likely to bring more divide and border crisis between the two sister nations. Jammeh’s perception that Senegal holding France as their god whom they worship while they think Gambia relies on them for anything relates to his long term view and contempt against the West. It is very unsettling for Gambians to continue to see their President constantly make derogatory remarks against Gambians most important neighbor and sister country. Gambian citizens must be vigilant and must not allow their leader to fuel hatred or breed conflict between the two inseparable nations. Gambia and Senegal and interconnect socially, economically and politically. The two leaders therefore must find a common ground to avoid any conflict between their citizens.