Throughout history dictators and bullies are known to hide behind a perceive bravery and portrayal of false imagery behind them. They are rarely tested on those false premises and powers they claim to have in their possessions. They use the weakest links and most vulnerable in society to show their strength and unleash their anger and hate on the weakest just to send a message. They manage to intimidate their populace to believing that they have extraordinary powers that the people dare to challenge. When few weak and unorganized groups rise up to challenge them, they crush them with lethal weapons and inhumane treatment. They use national institutions and resources to strengthen their power grip.
On the contrary what has become evident and apparent is that these dictators have false power and when tested they run for their lives. For decades Saddam Hussein of Iraq and Mohamed Qaddafi of Libya displayed such level of arrogance and unleashed the worst arsenals on their people. But when they were confronted by a superior power, both Saddam and Qaddafi hid in rat holes and dirty caves to escape for their lives… They ended up in the worst possible manner despite their perceive powers.
Gambian president Yahya Jammeh has banked on these perceived powers and strength and has for two decades unleashed the worst crimes of humanity on his people. He intimidated, tortured and killed any citizens who dare to stand up against him. He uses state power and resources to send messages that he would “deal with anyone who dare defy his commands”. This has persisted for so long that the dictator could do anything he wanted without any form of resistance. Well, as the saying goes, everything has a limit and when the people are pushed to the limit, they would have no choice but to resist and revolve against a threat to eliminate their livelihood. Gambians have reached that boiling point and not only the political opposition but ordinary citizens have had enough and showing signs of resistance. Five years ago majority Gambian citizens dare not go out to a political rally much less openly challenge the dictator. Gambia 2015 and 2016 is witnessing a different trend and from the UDP Fass Standoff, University of the Gambia student threat to demonstrate to Kartong youths revolving against mining in their village, the APRC is seeing something unprecedented; the people’s willingness to stand up to the regime. Jammeh is now being openly challenged at Opposition rallies by leaders, young men and women who see nothing more to fear. The fear tactic the Jammeh regime has used for all these years was to arrest, intimidate and jail citizens for simply speaking out or associating with someone against the government. Well, it appears that Mile II the place Gambians feared the most is now being turned into Houses of resistance. Gambians no longer fear going to jail or being arrested as they appear to lean against the wall to face the enemy.
But Yahya Jammeh’s biggest miscalculation since he came to power this time is his failure to understand the strategic economic and political position Senegal presents to Gambia. For the last decade he has linked threats to his security to Gambians seeking refuge in neighboring Senegal. He has always seen Senegal as a threat which is being used by Gambian dissidents in the Diaspora to launch attacks against him. Jammeh took that threat to a whole new level this time and out of desperation he has ignited an economic war and border closure between Gambia and Senegal. He never realized that Gambia’s economic, social and political survival largely depends on Senegal’s willingness to work with Gambia. Senegal surrounds Gambia in all fronts except a tiny window through the Atlantic Ocean.
Economically, Gambia does not manufacture virtually anything and the economy is largely depended on re-export trade and movement of goods and services between the two countries. Yahya Jammeh never understood Senegal’s vital interest to Gambia, thus he has on several occasions started a border dispute between the two countries only to get away with it with more arrogance. It appears that Gambia’s neighbor Senegal which holds the life line to the tiny country’s survival have had enough. Therefore, reports are that all vehicles including that own by the President turned business tycoon are being blocked by Senegal and cannot enter into Gambia. These includes vehicles transporting fuel and other vital economic goods that Gambians depend on. Jammeh’s persistent provocation of Senegal has now reached boiling point and the Senegalese authorities seems to be not having it. Sooner rather than later, Jammeh will realize that in fact you have to pass Senegalese airspace to access Gambia. You have to pass through Senegal to export any goods and services to other countries. That the river transport is so poor that tiny Gambia cannot survive on that. Yahya Jammeh has done gross miscalculations this time and as a result, Gambians will no longer accept a regime which has squeeze every breath of fresh air from their lungs. The Senegal Gambia border crisis and this being an election season in Gambia, Jammeh has cleared the path for Gambian citizens to taste what true economic hardship is all about. It is a matter of time before his business and what is remaining of the country’s life line to come to a stand still. No one wishes this on our innocent people, but to defeat a bully you have to stand up to him or her. Time is the best judge.