Gainako Newspaper

Talking to Gainako at his US residence, former Gambian ambassador to the
US, Mr. Essa Bokar Sey, a renowned scholar of literature rehearsed in another
moment his love for writing. Among other things, Mr. Sey clarified his parting
with Gambia's current administrator Yaya Jammeh, talked about his life, his
family and his love of African literature.

What is certain with the former ambassador; he among others has turned out
to be constantly raising critical issues with Jammeh's administration, Mr. Sey
is no silent man in the society. His poetry and prose is are a contsant features
in many media outlets. Constantly circulated around touching on different
areas of life. Mr. Sey is an eloquent one, a man constantly pouncing on Jammeh
with all his might, a knowledge of which began at the military barracks as a
young soldier. Not enough at that, he is also fluent in English, French and most
Gambian languages. In this Tell-All interview Mr. Sey explains some of the
allegations surrounding him during his tenure as Gambian ambasador to the U.S

Below is the exclusive interview:

GON: Hello Mr. Sey and how are you today?

Mr. SEY: Am doing fine my good brother Yero Jallow Jeyrih!(LAUGHTER)

GON: As a guest of Gainako today, share with our readers a little bit about yourself.

Mr. SEY: My name is Essa Bokarr Sey I was born in a family of farmers,educators and shepherds
(your paper's name in fulani Gainakos). I attended Kuntaya Primary then proceeded to Armitage High
School, after that,joined the then gendarmerie(now Gambia National Army) where I served for 5
years before being honourably discharged from active military duties at the rank of a sergeant (in US
system called Master Sergeant). From there I attended the Gambia College School of educationthen
proceeded to France Besancon.. I returned to The Gambia in 1993. I was offered a job at the
Department of State for foreign affairs as protocol welfare officer in october 1993. Served in that
capacity until I was posted to France in 1995 as First secretary. Stayed in that position until I was
promoted and transfered to the Gambia's permanent mission in New York in 1998. Stayed there until
1999 when I was promoted to Ambassador of The Gambia to France with concurrent accreditation
to Greece, Portugal, Switzerland, Russia, Hungary, Spain and UNESCO. Stayed in that until I was
transfered to The Rep of China on Taiwan in 2001. In august 2002 I was posted to Washington DC
as The Gambia's Ambassador where I served until 2003 June. That ended my tour of duty and life
span in the diplomatic field of the current regime. Life moved on. I stayed in Texas state where I
started my old teaching profession again in 2003. I taught for the Hurst Euless Bedford Independent
school district until 2005. I june 2005 I was offered a similar position to teach at the Jefferson County
Public Schools Louisville metropolitan area until 2006 where I served till I started a new position with
the Bank of America cooperate office merchant services. Today I am serving the bank at a senior
level. Well Yero I hope this marathon explanation gives a brief account of myself, my origin and my
life as the son of a fulani farmer.

GON: You have an opportunity to speak French and English fluently, along side most Gambian
languages. What do you make of it?

Mr. SEY: I make a lot of good use out of that achievement God blessed me with. In fact my
current job is one of those where my ability to speak different languages is highly appreciated. I do
also use these languages with a companny called Languages International. This is a service that offers
contracts to certified interpreters (which I am). I do those contracts during my off days because it
pays a lot too. Sometimes I do translations (word format). Both bear charges but the latter pays
more as writing the texts is more tedious sometimes. Recently I have not been doing that because of
my responsibilities at the bank of America cooperate office merchant services.

GON: Your literature is timely displayed on Freedom Newspaper. Now you have decided to
widen scope to Gainako as well. What's your relation with Freedom and editor Mbai?

Mr. SEY: Oh ever since I started working with Pa Nderry Mbai we have been best of friends.
When ever you run these poems,he runs them too. Pa Nderry is one of my best comrades in this
political struggle. Pa Nderry and I speak almost two to three times in a day. We consult exchange
ideas and feelings on pertinent issues. He cares so much about me and my family. So do I care about
his too. I have come to realise that Pa Nderry is a highly disciplined person who gives me so much
respect. My relationship with the freedomnewspaper is cordial,professional and also based on the
perimeters of national development. Alongside I do send poems to Senegal and to France etc etc.
There are instances where my poems or articles are featured on journals like the "Alliance
Panafricaniste..." a journal published in French. You know Yero I like writing and sharing thoughts.
This is why I read everything other Gambian authors write online. Likewise I have other pals who are
Americans I work with along those lines. Do I say more...?(LAUGHTER)

GON: You were a former military man turned teacher and now a political activist. Tell us the
transformations leading to where you are today and the different portfolios you handled in the Gambia
starting from your days at the military barracks to where your life stands now.

Mr. SEY: I will refer you to my answer of the question right from the beginning of the interview.
I knew you would ask me this one(LAUGHTER). Yero I like the last part of your question ie
"where life stands now.....". That is so philosophical! I like it! This is why I gave a similar
explanation to that effect in my first answer.

GON: You were close to Jammeh at the military barracks. Were there any early signs seen in him to
have prevented today's Gambia under Jammeh?

Mr. SEY: You know when ever I hear the name Yahya Jammeh it makes me feel the past.The past
is like a huge mirror before the living. Those of us who are alive see what reflects from that huge
mirror. Such reflections can either affect us the living ones or the dead. Now that Yahya and I are still
alive in this same world,I cannot reject his name in my past. Yes Yahya was a friend in the army. He
cannot deny one thing,that is he himself initiated inviting me to live at his (then) place in dormitry F. He
knows where this place is.During those days Yahya was not pompous. He was well known for saying
or doing strange things like dressing "wild" etc but never did I see him as I hear or feel today about
him. Anyway like in life characters change. Many times people grow and grow through different
patterns. If there were early signals seen in Yahya to prevent today? I hope Kebba Ceesay the former
head of the NSS could help us on that one Alhaji Yero....(LAUGHTER). My believe is that Yahya like
any citizen has the right to become a president. However,on the other hand I would say this once
again I DO NOT HATE YAHYA. If we have differences its simply based on difference in political
opinion. If HE HATES ME that is his own problem and Yahya Jammeh knows that Essa will be the
last person to dance to his tunes for no reason. All I can say is that the reasons that brought today's
political climate stem from so many angles. The Gambia is one of the last hopes for Africa when it
comes to ravaging civil wars. Therefore it is a collective duty before all of us to maintain that. Indeed
Yahya Jammeh has a great part to play here as well. He should stop his ways of seeing a messiah in
him while delivering his duties. He is no messiah he is simply a political product from a growing nation.
Messiahs do not rule republics messiahs are ordained by God or Allah to spread the word of faith to
people without guards,budgets and protocols attached. This is where I would never compromise with
Yahya if he so chooses to be seen as a messiah. Yahya should also forget about growing angry against
critics or saying he made so and so what they are today! Therefore they should not go against him. I
have received so many private emails from his so-called agents saying to me Yahya made you what
you are today. This does not anger me because I know Allah knows what many do not know
between me and Yahya. It makes me want to meet Yahya and those people one day therefore ask
Yahya in their presence if him Yahya would have posted me to France if he did not expect me to help
his government at its embryonic stage? I would also ask Yahya if he is the one who paid for me to
learn French? I will also ask Yahya in their presence if he was there when Bokarr Sey was toiling in
the farms of Kuntaya to feed me? Going by his recorded birth day I was born two years before
Yahya then how could he make me or anyone what they are? You see this is where he is being misled
by his stooges very seriously. Now what happened? I have left Yahya since 2003. Am I not serving
other institutions and places where competetion means professional performance much more than
what obtains in the Gambia government? Of course Yahya himself knows that! He knows who
Essa is and what I can do. Allah says in the Qur'an "Yarr zuqu mann yashaa'u Illaa maa
shaa Allah" "I will bless anyone with my luck at anytime it pleases me" That is the Allah
who guides me,you and Yahya. I want him to stop calling himself a messiah who designs luck for
people. That is false! Allah did not give that grade to Muhammad(SAW) let alone anyone else.
Therefore stopping Yahya to become a president is beyond my powers as a believer. However,let
him also know that him thinking he can stop Essa or anyone else's stars from shining is as false and
falacy itself. You know Yero I really do not care about how someone like Yahya feels when I am
speaking about the powers of Allah. All I see is faith and truth period.

GON: Mr. Sey, who is Jammeh and what kind of a person is he?

Mr. SEY: Are you asking about Jammeh before 1994 or Jammeh after 2001? (LAUGHTER).
Before 1994 the Jammeh I knew was an army youngster struggling to make ends meet like any
other Gambian youth. He was a great debator that much I can say. He also loved listening
to reggae music and doing judo. He loved marathon running with my batch at the then gendarmerie. I
knew him as quick tempered person too. I also knew him as someone who stood to side with new
recuits who were being bullied by officers in the force. I am speaking for the sake of Allah not politics.
The bad side of Yahya then is still what I don't like about him now. He has always believed that he has
super natural powers. I have been challenging that since we were in the army together. Yahya has to
stop that way of thinking. Over throwing Jawara cannot automatically qualify him as colossal giant with
wings before someone like me. Does he know what others have with them? Does he? It is that side of
his character I cannot stand! Thats the Yahya I know. Otherwise Yero I think he has the right to be a
president like any other person does. He should also think of term limits and leave in an honourable
way sooner than later! He is still young and has a long way to go even if he is no longer a president.

GON: There is a great intellectual brain-drain in the Gambia currently. Why can't your likes go and
help uplift Jammeh on his poor administration of Gambia's affairs?

Mr. SEY: In my book intellectual means: understanding plus intelligence. The brain-drain Yero
includes journalists or participants like you Yero Jallow ,Pa Nderry Mbai, Bubacarr Ceesay, Binneh
Minteh, Omar Jallow, Mathew Jallow, Ebrima Sankareh, Yankuba Jadama, Sarjo Bayang, Ndongo
Sillah, Mbye Sarr, George Sarr, Saul Khan, Baba Galleh Jallow, Dr Ebrima Ceesay, Karamba
Touray, Sigga Jagne, others and others. All these are very smart people who can help The Gambia in
all aspects. Whether under Yahya Jammeh or under another administration, I think The Gambia needs
all these brains here and there. Lets say people like Dr Abdoulie Saine, Dr Suleymane Nyang, Dr
Solomon Gomez, Lamin Sarr and Uncle Ousman Sillah and Amie Joof Cole are very good assets for
The Gambia my brother. All these are good people and highly respected intellectuals the world over.
We must jump over the hurdles of trivialities therefore recognise the nation's interest in all this. I feel
sorry for our homeland when I see all these brains serving abroad. Why this unjustified "rejection"
from the current government after all? Let them open up the boxes of dialogue and stop the "personal
feelings". All these Gambian sons and daughters abroad love their country very much. I met
them,spoke with them and I know how much they love their country. Is Yahya listening to the
opposition in Dakar these days? Is he? Let him listen to whats happening there and compare that to
whats happening in The Gambia? Will he tolerate that?

GON: It is alleged that you made some comments about the students demonstrators of April 10th &
11th which many found unpleasant. Could you please shed light on this and what exactly were the
particular comments? What do you think true justice will be for those victims of the student
demonstration?

Mr. SEY: You know Yero this is one of those "references" that will ever stay in my legacy. Like
any other person I cannot escape all ways and angles of criticism. In fact I did not make a mistake per
se,all I was saying in Paris(then)was for some people to wait and here more before making
judgements online. I have been proven right Yero. Today who or what do we refer to in this case?
The coroner's findings and the pathologist's results! That is all I was driving at. Some people resorted
to insults. I reacted. Like am saying about Yahya the same goes to others. I will never sit and accept
being bullied by someone's irate behaviour for the sake of peer pressure. I am a free man who
respects others therefore expect to be respected in return. Ok I will admit that all pieces were not
placed before me by the government I was representing at the time but on the other I was prudent to
call for calm and investigations!. Therefore trying to make sense during such a heated debate were
people lost their kids was so difficult. I was victim of misinformation and timing. However,to those
who said Essa was happy to see the students killed? I think Yero we all know "enemies" exist. I am
not immune from those "enemies" like you and others aren't too. I care less about such people
because I know what I did for some of those who lost loved ones in the past. My politics is that one
which calls for PRODUCTION vs POPULARITY. I prefer the former not the latter. In fact one
person was shot at the beach some years back, his father is currently in Paris. The last name is
Susso(1st name witheld). Those who care can call the Father and ask him what I did for their family
after their son was killed by trigger-happy armed men? You know Yero in politics one cannot escape
such days and hours of confusion or misinformation while serving. I know legally and personally I did
not support the killing of anyone. That much I am proud to say. This is something I am saying right
here in the open. I have been screened and tested beyond any reasonble doubt on that so I am here to
confirm it without hesitation. Who screened me or who tested me? Those who did it know who they
are! My comments and the reactions I received are in the archives of the gambia-l interested parties
can refer to those. YERO I swear by Allah if I were wrong I would apologize right here! But I will
never apologize to anyone on that one because I knew there were parties ready to spray my
comments with deadly fungi (laughter)at the time.

GON: It is further alleged that during your tenure as an ambassador in Washington DC, you
reported Jammeh?s critics then as terrorists ? to the level of the US state department. How true is this
one also?

Mr. SEY: Alleged? Thats interesting Yero. Well I also heard that I reported some for deportation
too? Didn't you hear that also? I aslo heard I was not fired which was on the washington post? I also
read on the daily observer(then not now) that I was removed from my position for undisclosed
reasons? I also heard and read that I escaped with embassy furniture and embassy credit cards?
Furniture that I bought from Taiwan getting ready to go back and occupy a residence I bought in The
Gambia with my family. . Afterwards I was transfered to DC. Those receipts and traces are still on
record Yero. I also heard that I was roaming the streets jobless? Didn't you hear that as well Yero?
You know my good brother Saikou Mballow stopped that nonsense on my behalf. He warned all
parties to meet him in DC so that they can go to the state department and find out if I reported
anyone? Who turned up? No one. Saikou called me personally and said to me in very clear terms that
he was going to get to the facts. And he warned me again that if I did it, then he would lead a fight
against me. He later did his own investigations, came back to me saying he was waiting for anyone to
say that nonsense again. Then he would call that person a liar. Yero it is only Allah who can clean or
stain anyone's image. I am not the least worried about such madness my brother. You know Yero the
easiest thing one can do in politics is sending whirling accusations against others. The hardest is to
prove the said content otherwise. Yero anyone who spreads such rumours is a real novice in the field
of intelligence gathering or mature politics. If I were to be them I would not use that route. The state
department is not like state house in Banjul. They are free to share information with wronged parties.
There are Gambian-US citrizens who are here. Why would they not use their powers as citizens thus
find out if I did that against any of their relatives, then take me to face the law?

They have the legal power to do so. Why not try using facts instead of fiction? The state department
will never favour Essa against anyone if Essa is caught red handed doing evil things against others. You
know in this age of global security if anyone is saying something you must be ready to back it up with
facts. If ever anyone is found wanting to stain people's names for no reason especially where it
concerns false information related to security it means bad fate for the one misinforming the parties at
hand. Do you think that person will pass all tests of time? Do you? Who am I to give false information
against those Gambian (cooked up names) and then stay here writing everyday without being
questioned? Yero you see some of us are so much into hate that, whatever we hear we take it in.... as
far as it is against someone we hate or dislike. That is not a good way to fight someone. However
much some people do not like Essa let them also not be blinded by that hatred to the extend where
they will lose following a shining path of facts! That cannot stop me from being successful in what I do
neither would it ever stop me from reaching my destination, Allah willing.

GON: Among the many critics of Jammeh, you (Mr. Sey) but Jammeh was your friend or let me say
workmate for a long time. Is this betrayal from your end by any how or is it betray from Jammeh's
end?

Mr. SEY: Is it? (LAUGHTER) Anyway my answers earlier on have said it all. I was not betrayed by
Yahya because I knew one day or the other we were going to part. I could not say where and when
but the signs were there all along the way. I hope Jammeh is not the one saying I betrayed him? I did
not betray him because if I had betrayed him in the real sense of the word he would have seen more
unpleasant things from my side. This is no political bluff I mean it Yero. God or Allah has given each
one of us certain things the other does not have. Yero I will say here loud and clear I have good
contacts that can dent Jammeh's regime if I really was so eager to do so. Yes I do have that my
brother. Why do we make easy targets out of people who left Jammeh by always seeing them as
those who lost because they are no longer in the government? No Yero! I Essa would stand to be
counted! Let people say am blowing my own trumpet I would care less here because it is about
Yahya and the people he has parted with. I am different. I do not feel betrayed or disappointed. I did
not lose anything,instead my departure was a blessing in dsiguise Alhaji Yero. Working under the
government will always make others see one as a trailer being pulled by a powerful machine. Now the
best part is when one leaves Yahya and is still able to prove to the whole world that he or she is being
propelled by his or her own know how but not leaning on Yahya with the help of Allah. Yero in fact I
regret why I did not leave earlier. Thats it Yero Pulloh Jeyrih! No mincing of words on that side of
my life's story anymore! Am pretty sure Yahya also is steering his state the way he likes it now so
thats it. Am gone,he is still there with others. God said so not me or him.

GON: You have written a lot of literature. The younger ones honestly look up to the many like you.
Do you by chance have any plans to compile it any time soon?

Mr. SEY: Thanks for the compliments my good brother. Younger ones??? Am I old? LAUGHTER.
Yero I am still young because I am Obama's age okay? Do not put me above the younger ones
(LAUGTHER). Yes at the moment am writing another book titled: HARMATTAN POEMS. As soon
as it is ready (manuscript) I will contact you and others. You write very good peoms too Yero!

GON: Among your favorite men? Hampateh Ba. Tell us a little about his life and your love for his
literature works.

Mr. SEY: Amadou Hampathe Ba is tree of knowlegde and an oasis of fresh air for us as Africans.
He rose from the hills and hillocks of fulani terrains. He has written so much. The most amazing part of
Amadou's legacy is the respect he earned himself and our African intellectuals within sophisticated
arenas like UNESCO. I remember meeting someone in UNESCO who knew Amadou Hampathe
personally. We had a long chat on that day. Amadou Hampathe Ba is someone who blended the
power of African traditional teachings with the linguistics produced by western alphabets. His name
grew not because he had a pile of degrees. His name grew because he understood how to insert the
teachings of traditional African beliefs or to be more specific fulani ones into the essence of universal
philosophy. For me he is mentor,a father, a teacher and an African elder. Writers like Amadou
Hampathe Ba dismissed the idea that oral history is not good history. This is what we were taught by
the western way,however, I never believed this notion. He came to reconnfirm my position. If
Literature is "lachiri" or couscous's name in fulani,Amadou's writings are the "laalo" or the dry
baobab leaves we use to make the couscous more palatable. (LAUGHTER).

GON: You wrote a touching piece about your disabled son. This is among the best pieces you have
written ever, owing to the fact that many people won't be comfortable putting their private lives on
newspapers. See in a life time, Nelson Mandela mourned his late son as an Aids patient. How does
young Baba's life fit in your busy schedule?

Mr. SEY: You know Yero Baba's case is not private life. I see him as a sample to share with
helpless parents who are nursing children like him at home. In fact as recent as monday Baba's life has
experienced more changes for the positive. He has finally received his motorized wheel chair. It's
expensive but we have it now. It is at the cost of $10,000.00. The therapists taught he could be given
a chance to walk but after a while they recommended that we buy one. I thank Allah for providing for
me and my family through hard work. My wife is also a very helpful lady. She has been there to
complement my efforts on all sides! I am praying for her and my mother also has been praying for
her. There are people out there ready to stand by Baba alongside. He performs well at school. He is
graduating from middle school on may 23rd. You know what Baba asked for? Two suits and a big
party at home. He will put on one suit then go to school for the end of year graduation with his gown.
The other suit he will put on during the house-family party. He also asked me to buy a seperate suit for
his little brother Bokarr Sey (Jr). Bokarr is sportive and so good at basket and soccer. You see Allah
has taught me a good lesson on that one. My first son is disabled cannot walk or talk. The one after
him is strong sportive and helps the brother do so many things in the house nowadays. Both of
them are computer gurus therefore use it a lot doing so many things technically. Yero I will always
spare time for Baba. Like I always say to his teacher. Baba did not choose to be born a disable child.
Therefore we are tasked by Allah to take of care of him. I feel honoured to be compared with a great
man like Nelson Mandela in this case. If Mandela can have time why not Essa? Mandela is like an
ocean near me If I am to see myself as a stream! (LAUGHTER). I am praying for him our old grandpa of
Africa. I will pray for his lost son to be received in heaven by Allah or God.

GON: The oppositions are divided right now. Many like you can play a part in unification. What is
the clock reading at your end?

Mr. SEY: I was really encouraged by what Halifa Sallah wrote two days ago about moving on.
The things he outlined are very important. I also want the opposition to study the terrain this time thus
see where the best interest lies. We can even bring in a completely new face,sponsor him or her to run
against the incumbent. On my side if need be I will join any group to raise funds from all corners of the
world. We must start now! Like you said unity is the issue here not know how. Lets UNITE against
all odds for goodness sake. None will stand to gain where disunity and endless suspicion is reigning.
Groups who are calling for serious opposition should always inform the public before meeting any
where. We have so many active online papers who can publicise such meetings at no cost to anyone.
Saikou Mballow is very active. Him and others who have experience in that regard can also organize
a good meeting where we can meet,discuss and synchronise with other parties. Certainly we can have
venues to accomodate people free of charge. I will sponsor all the drinks,ice and stationery if I am
informed at least three weeks before time. I will also attend and help raise funds by using my
professional background. I know there are many more Gambians who can evern do more than I can
to that effect. Lets join hands and forces to be heard and seen. Look at Senegal today. A former Joof
PM Tanor is leading the fight. Was he not there before? Yes he was there with Joof. Does that
exlcude him now that Joof is gone? No. Performance is not about the one we like,performance is
about who is ready to participate period!

GON: By the way, any word to Gainako editors' in terms of improvement, coverage scope,
editorial policy, et cetera?

Mr. SEY: Yero you are one person I like a lot. Your aura shows me a person who is humble and
natural. I do also appreciate the unity that exists between you and Pa Nderry Mbai if one is to go by
the indications I see. He sent you a good piece during your GON'S yearly celebrations. You sent him
a good one too. That really makes me so happy. This is the culture I want you to maintain at all cost.
About the editorial and coverage scope I think your presentation is "palatable" for me and others. I
like the lay out and the colours. The only thing I want out is my current picture (LAUGHTER) I look too
fat on that one my brother(LAUGHTER). Thats why I will send you another one today. Yero life is a
huge classroom where we will be learning new things everyday.

GON: Mr. Sey, thanks for granting Gainako an interview. Gainako continually reach out to people
others as guests on certain topics and others on interviews.

Mr. SEY: Thank You Yero! My poems are here for all,my interviews are not for sale (LAUGHTER),
my writings are a passion inside my very soul. So be rest assured I am a brother and will always stay a
brother! Keep it up all Gambian journalists! GOD BLESS THE GAMBIA AND ITS PEOPLE!

........The WATCHMAN on SANKANU
....................................Bubacar Sankanu Has No Shame!!
...............................By The Watchman.........................May 4th, 2008
Gambia's most amusing comedian is putting on a show again.
In a recent shameless self-promotion of an "interview" given to
an online news outlet, Bubacar Sankanu rambled on and on
about his immense capabilities and projects and how, to sum it
all up, he was God's gift to all of The Gambia. In sophistic and
misleading language, Mr. Sankanu made an argument for his
ambiguous stance on the Jammeh misadventure in The Gambia
that could be best classified as antinomian.

To be antinomian means "opposed to or denying the fixed meaning or universal applicability of moral
law". Sankanu, by dint of his useless edicts, has granted the Gambian government a free pass on moral
judgment because the Gambian people have "voted" for Yahya Jammeh thrice over and deserve what
they have. He willfully suppresses the glaring factoid that shows the Gambian government to be
Stalinist in nature. What is even more tragic about Sankanu's big mouth is that during the course of the
"interview", it did not at once even mention the plight of Fatou Jaw Manneh a fellow journalist and
compatriot.

Throughout his delusional proclamations, Sankanu mentioned how he was the world's greatest judicial
mind, how he would indulge the president to promote the arts and how if he had to return to The
Gambia in the name of service and love of country, he would be taking a massive compensation
deduction vis-�-vis his salary. Clown Sankanu mouthed off many other jokes common in the pathetic
language of universal buffoonery but only a few will be dissected here. "Serene Prince" Sankanu's
silliness is so elongated that one could spend a lifetime trying to show him the benefits of common
sense.

First let's delve into the qualifications of lawyer/attorney/barrister Sankanu and the implications of how
he can use that vocation for the common good if at all he knows what it is. With Fatou Jaw Manneh
being bullied by Africa's seriously funniest regime in the APRC, why hasn't Sankanu delved into his
arsenal of legalese to spur fellow lawyers concerned with Human Rights and Press Freedom in Africa
to launch a vigorous petition to bring justice to bear in her case? Being such a prominent and great
mind in the affairs of intellectual property law, why hasn't he noticed that intellectual property rights
and their ensuing benefits are gestated, promoted and announced as a feature of particular societies by
an unfettered and necessary institution in all free societies, the media, of which Fatou Jaw Manneh is a
most honorable standard bearer? Intellectual Property is propagated by artists, writers, inventors,
institutions and yes, journalists. Inasmuch as it involves capitalistic ventures that generate money,
intellectual property is not only about bringing the cash in; it is enacted and enforced to protect the
originality, ownership and integrity of labor. Added emphasis should be made on integrity, a concept
alien to Mr. Sankanu.

Since he fancies himself the Cardinal Richelieu to Jammeh's Louis XIV, Sankanu actually believes the
Butcher of Banjul listens to him when he offers "advice". So he barks out suggestions on how the
National Council on Arts and Culture should be operated to a dictator whose only appreciation for
creativity comes in the form of torture and music that praises his "magnificent" feats as a "dictator for
development". Yahya Jammeh is not beholden to or prone to taking advice from an untrustworthy and
shifty source that is Sankanu. He does what he likes. To Jammeh, "l'etat c'est moi", an attitude steeped
in the tradition of notorious European kings of yore and new kids on the block dictators of today. As
a proprietor, or whatever, of Afromedia Film & Television International Group, perhaps Sankanu
could have used his advantageous perch to document the plight of journalists in the dangerous
archipelago that repressive African governments confine them to. The reason why Sankanu has not
abdicated the spotlight to engage in an altruistic crusade for a fellow Gambian, a true hero to all who
work in media, Fatou Jaw Manneh, is because the whole episode won't be about him. When the
world begins to talk about the indomitable lady who is driving Yahya Jammeh absolutely nuts, who
will talk about Sankanu? According to the holy book of Sankanu, we all need to hear about him.
Anyone else, even a universally admired compatriot, is just a stepping stone to Sankanu being
mythologized. As we speak Sankanu is trying to convince the Vatican to paint his portrait on the
Sistine Chapel and they have been laughing to his face for about, let's see, 10 minutes now.

For all his talk about money and taking a pay cut to come back home and do us Gambians a huge
favor, Sankanu, with all his riches has really bad taste in women. If one had to choose between Fatou
Jaw Manneh and Fatou Jahumpa Ceesay, the unanimous choice, the primus inter pares, will be Ms.
Jaw Manneh. I am going to thread carefully and respectfully here because my discussion on this
subject is the context of platonic company, not the bawdy subtext proffered by clown Sankanu who
seemed like he was shaking with adolescent pubescence and yearning as he typed away his lurid
fantasies about the Rasputin of Gambia's State House, Ms. Fatou Jahumpa Ceesay. Now let's
examine the vast differences between these 2 ladies (or maybe 1 lady and a woman).

Fatou Jaw Manneh's eyes burn with an intensity that's hard to match. Her demeanor exudes dignity.
Her stance emanates fierce independence and her head is held high even when she is down. She is
exceedingly pretty naturally and her defiance in the face of despotism adds 360 degrees of beauty that
makes the Watchman want to pass out. This is the type of woman that will challenge any man
intellectually and speak her mind frankly. As for Fatou Jahumpa Ceesay, I'll make it short and
merciful: she is the polar opposite of all the qualities and adjectives that define the Athena of African
journalism, Ms. Manneh. I hope Sankanu learns from this short lesson in choice and reconsider what
he really needs to look for in a woman.

Mr. Sankanu has also described himself as a "raw egg that will not be tossed into a frying pan to make
an omelet" (paraphrased) but he seems to have at least acted like a coward in not continuing to debate
over ideas on the various online forums where Gambians of all stripes come over to argue, discuss,
fight then kiss and make up. Sankanu I know you are perusing this and I can already read your lips as
you scream: "I am Sankanu the Serene Prince! I can do whatever I want! To hell with The
Watchman!"

So childish

....Halifa To Launch Book On Pan-Africanism
....... Put Ideology Aside For Unity, Says Halifa Sallah
............................By Solo, Banjul Correspondent............May 1st, 2008
A book entitled, "Treatise on Founding The Federation of African Republics,"
referred to by some as an encyclopedia on Pan Africanism, and by others
as a handbook for African Unity, democracy and development is due to
be launched on May 25, 2008 at the Paradise Suites Hotel at 3pm.

The book according to the author, Mr. Halifa Sallah, a Gambian politician
and sociologist and Pan Africanist, is currently being subjected to scrutiny
in The Gambia and abroad. Mr.Sallah who addressed a press at his office
said the objective was to give feedback on the book.

He informed journalists that the book has been launched in the Diaspora. "In UK the book was
launched at the Afro-African-Caribbean Centre in Leicester on February 23, 2008, and the launch
was attended by Gambians and other Africans in the Diaspora, among others.

Mr. Sallah told the press that following the UK launching, the Female Wing of the Swedish
Democratic Party also sponsored the launching of the book in Sweden from 10 to 17 March 2008.
"There were tremendous responses by Swedish people and Africans in the Diaspora, including
Gambians," he stressed.

He stated that copies of the book have been given to the executive, the legislature and the judiciary as
well as to many key institutions such as the University of The Gambia and revealed that the Office of
the President has acknowledged receipt of the book and has indicated that it is pertinent.

Sallah opined that the launching of the book avails opportunities to academics, policymakers and
members of civil society to critically review the book.
Mr. Sallah went on to observe that Africa is at a cross roads, and determining the way forward is the
fundamental question confronting every single African in particular and any human being in the world.

"Africa is considered to be the paradox. It is potentially the richest continent on earth, but it is
currently harbouring the poorest people in the world. 40 percent of the continent's population is living
on one dollar a day and currently one out of every ten African are potentially on the move from their
place of origin because of conflict or poverty. It is considered an achievement to many Africans to
enter into Europe which is increasingly becoming alienated from the rest of humanity, and its
immigration budgets are also increasing to keep away those in search of greener pastures," he
asserted.

He also observed that most African leaders are aiming to be defensive. "They are merely protesting
against the excesses of the dominant powers of the world. Impression is given that the future of the
continent is a hopeless one, as it contributes only 2 percent of the world trade and attracts only 1
(one) percent of foreign direct investment. He said some claim that Africa's place in the world is a
hopeless one. And that its contribution to the world economy is insignificant.

"Others compare Ghana and South Korea at independence and argued that the gap between the two
then and today is due to policy focus and development priorities. The impression given is that the only
option available is to beg others to forgive us for the debts we owe and beg them to invest on the
continent. Africa has become an object of pity or an object of mockery and laughter to others," Sallah
further observed.

Mr. Sallah further opined that redeeming Africa from what he calls, this despicable predicament,
requires an intellectual response, adding that his book falsifies claims that the African economy are
insignificant to the world economy and opined that Korea is ahead of Ghana because of its policy
initiative are all proven to be false by the book.

Mr. Sallah explained that the launching in the Diaspora was done because Pan-Africanism started in
the Diaspora. He noted that the book among others contains basic facts about Pan-Africanism,
African Unity and also touches on all other international instruments and an in-depth of the history of
Africa.

He said the people in the Diaspora attended in large numbers for different purposes, and the book
explores the different purposes by relying on Pan-African scholars who searched human history and
discovered that Africa's place in the world before colonialism was a glorious place, and the book
explored that position of Africa, and quoted scholars like Aristotle to justify what the Pan-Africanism
have concluded, that compared to other civilizations Africa had equal level of civilization or more
advanced civilization than other parts of the would. And the book is a documentary evidence of that
assertion. The book traces the history of African nationalism and exposed the fact that Africans who
were transported from different parts of the continent, states and communities did not leave a united
continent. There was no Africa as we conceive today.

"Those people who left the continent were deprived of homelands; eventually they obliterated their
own consciousness of belonging to a people belonging to a nation so that they would see themselves
as animals, as donkeys, as horses, so that they can be used in the field to toil from morning to sunset in
the service of their slave masters" Sallah said.

"But in the process of their struggle for freedom, many of them wanted to go back to the continent but
they did not know where they came from. So they saw the whole land of Africa as their homeland and
therefore began to refer their origin to Africa as a continent. Thus emerged the whole concept of an
African nation and African Nationalism.

"The book explored the whole concept of slavery. It quoted the struggles in the continent against
slavery because people in the Diaspora may blame the Africans in Africa for their predicament if they
do not fully understand what had happened.

The book therefore explains about those who were in for slavery and those who were fighting against
slave trade on the continent", Mr. Sallah stated.

Further explaining the reasons for launching the book in the Diaspora, the veteran politician, cum
sociologist highlighted that, "his book explains about slavery and the abolition of slave trade, and
struggles taken in the Caribbean against slavery making it impossible for the slave masters to benefit
from slavery. After the abolition of slavery the slave masters needed commodities for the
manufacturing houses and therefore slavery was replaced by colonialism.

So the Africans in the Diaspora who were struggling to return to the continent, all of a sudden
discovered that they don't have a homeland to return to because their lands had been taken. This is
what gave rise to their struggle to make so that Africa is liberated. They began to hold congresses
towards liberating Africa.

"The struggle for African liberation of the African continent, self-determination and independence
started in the Diaspora. This is why the book was launched in the Diaspora out of that struggle
emerged independent nations," Mr. Sallah stated, adding that the book tries to address the question
why Africa is still in the stage we are.

"It shows the thinking of the Pan-Africanists at the beginning and their suggestions and proposals; how
they shaped the universal declaration of human rights; how they shaped the United Nations charters;
how they shaped many instruments in the world without many people knowing; said Mr. Sallah.

Further explaining about his book and Pan-Africanism, Mr. Sallah also highlighted that the book
shows that the whole concept of democracy has been perpetuated by the Pan-Africanists while the
colonialists were opposing it, and documentations were given. So as he suggests, democracy also has
a weapon of empowering the people and should not be seen as a product imported from Europe by
the Pan-Africanists.

"It is important to reflect on what happened immediately after independence and why people like
Nkrumah started calling for the total unification of the continent so that our resources will be put
together; so that we can have an African central Bank, African investment Bank, an African Monetary
Fund so that we can have powerful African institutions which can combat the dominant positions of
the trading blocks and the currency blocks of other continents. But all that could not be realize, he
said.

"The book also he said, has explained all efforts that were made up to the founding of the OAU and
explains all the policies and programmes that emanated from that, and showed how Africa because of
its division, because of its micro-states, began to move backward, instead of addressing the issues of
liberty, dignity and prosperity.

"The book has shown that what Nkrumah has said is what is happening right now," he asserted.
Everywhere in Africa, our economies are crumbling, our treasuries are getting empty, we are
becoming client states, and none of us can stand alone. We will remain in that condition until we take
the economy and political destiny in our own hands" Mr. Sallah said, quoting Nkrumah.

He further said the book falsifies people who are trying to say that Nkrumah said the political kingdom
and everything else will come", but that he (Nkrumah) did not take into consideration the economies
and all other issues of that nature. He however argued that perhaps they did not read African history
and they have not read what had happened immediately after independence.

Mr. Sallah further quoted Nkrumah as saying, "we will remain in that condition until we take the
political and economic condition of Africa in our own hands."
Africa has common market of 300 million and now the total population of Africa is 800 million
producers and consumers he said should have the productivity, purchasing and bargaining power
equal to any of those trading and currency blocks which now rule the commerce of the world.

"Who is there to oppose or frustrate us if we have all the courage to form an All-African union
congress? Can the industrialized nations do without our coppers, uranium? Iron, bauxite, cotton,
groundnuts, coffee etc, or will they come running to us as we have been running to them for trade on
equitable terms? He asked.

"So what this is emphasizing is that we have answers to Africa's problems, and in the launching, those
answers will be given, he promised. He argued that the book is not simply lamenting or protesting
against the West, or simply blaming the colonialists, but that it explains the role that colonialism has
played and has also shown the failure of African countries to unite, contributing to the current
predicament. It goes to show the various programmes; that every time Africa is faced with a crisis they
come with programmes, such as the Lagos programme, the Abuja treaty, ultimately the creation of the
African union, with NEPAD's creation, the limitation of NEPAD as a programma tic document to
address Africa's problems and proposed concretely what should be done in order to be able to have
a programme that can be able to address the needs and aspirations of the people.

"The book does not only highlight problems but also gave solutions, and it goes stage by stage to
show that if we are really serious about African unity and development, the stages that should be
followed to achieve it," Sallah posited.

He explained that the purpose of the press conference was not to go in detail regarding what is in the
book but that the book was launched in Europe and it was well received, not only by Africans but
also by people who understand that the world is a common bond; that economies are tied together;
Europe depends on Africa for many of its goods they consume daily on their family table." Therefore if
our farmers cannot produce, then what happens to the world prices?" He asked.

He further added, "So there is absolutely no doubt that the world is interlinked and production by the
farmers are very crucial for food consumption, for food prices, and for the survival of people, not only
for people in Africa, Asia, but also in Europe".
"So it is fundamentally necessary for these people to realize that on their side, if we become poorer
and poorer and cannot consume their goods, their industries will not be able to have markets and they
will close down and their banks will not be able to have interest and they will close down.

"So in that regard poverty will visit Europe just as it is haunting Africa on the current circumstances.
So it is a common destiny and they realized that. They realized that the same policies that were
adopted on the continent in moving from solutions to problem and simply allowing the market to
control everything is creating a problem on that side of the World just as it is creating problem on our
side. So we have a common destiny and they appreciate the contribution of this book towards
understanding their own problems. And the book is opposing International Conferences where we
look at the currency blocks, the trading blocks and the cause of the problems that we are now, in
terms of international trade, finance, and look for a common solution that will create equitable relations
between Africa and the rest of the world that will reposition the African continent."

"The book emphasizes the need for Africans to put aside ideologies and make so we remove it from
the ring of systems, and transform it to a practical systems for articulating relevant policies,
programmes and projects to ensure and enhance democracy, liberty, dignity and prosperity in the
continent.

He emphasizes that the fundamental issue raised by the book teaches on the first, second and third
phases of Pan-Africanism and the Third phase comes with the sober assertions of the sovereignty of
the people. That is the phase we are in now, where the people must take control of the destiny of the
third nation, and therefore create the possibility of governments uniting to serve the common interest of
the people. He concluded that the book has therefore emphasized that any generation which fails to
build a society which its children are proud to inherit is a failed generation and as he argued it is duty
of every generation to hand over to its children, and grand children a better society than it has
inherited, he stressed.

.........A Cloud of Hope
....................................By Yero Jallow....................May 1st, 2008
Over the distant horizon skies
Appeared a mighty cloud of hope -unity
Ever the darkest promising cloud to form
With loud echoing thunder claps ablaze
And lightening that rainbows across skies
At a time when draught
Wilted mighty trees
And thirst killed humans
All but not the God to blame.

The sky lookers gathered around curious
The crippled crawled with hope of shine
The blind groped the glamour of love
In jubilation of the true cloud of hope
Not like the desert mirages of the oases
But optimism of true rains alas
That would shine the flowers of unity
Sway left, right �in fresh floating air
Attracting the nectar bees at buzz

With a louder echo
We heard in one chorus voice
"God is great! God is great!"
Resembling the mosque singers
Or that Obama wisdom
"Yes we can! Yes we can!"
At that point, all in one
Embraced the rains of unity
At once change began to shine.

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