L’invite du Jour- L’ancien Ambassadeur en France, aux États-Unis (USA) et de Taïwan: Son Excellence- Essa Bokarr Sey
Whether you have been following Ex-Ambassador Sey on his programs at the prominent online-Radio “Hello Gambia” or not, watching this video of the simply brilliant interview given by Ex-Ambassador Sey with Afrique 24 (the prominent global news channel for Africa- in french), you get a clear sense that Caïd Sey has been around the block of the International diplomatic playing fields a time or two. He came off confident, polished, articulate and eloquent, yet was able to deliver off-the-cuff responses that were concise and precise. In about 6 minutes, Sey with ease highlighted the key issues why Jammeh’s Dictatorial government has continued to fail the Gambian people for the past almost twenty years. With a galant display of his diplomatic pedigree, he clearly stated his message on three core issues.
(B) When the reporter pointed out that Sey himself was a former colleague of Jammeh in the army before the coup and has served in the Jammeh government and somewhat insinuating that the former ambassador possibly might have been a contributor to the Jammeh regime’s actions, Sey without missing a beat stated that he welcomed/loved that specific question as he served his country as a diplomat and not as part of the Jammeh security outfit. He further made the point that he left in 2003 because “les droits de l’homme ne pas respectés,” and has since been incessantly fighting for democracy in The Gambia and for the betterment of the country.
(C) On Reporter EdJangue’s point that presidential elections were held in 1996, 2006, & 2011 and thus some could argue that some level of democracy is in existence, His Excellency Sey stated that Gambian elections are simply just symbolic and pointed to the lack of independence of the electoral commission (the IEC), the fact that ECOWAS refuses to participate in the Gambian electoral process, that results of elections are not respected due to lack of the basic tenets of the elements of a free & fair process, and that the opposition are marginalized by the lack of a “level playing field” since they are not allowed to campaign in a timely manner and are denied access to critical campaign resources such as the media.
While the interview did not reveal anything that most of those who have been closely following Gambian issues already know, due to its expansive viewership, A24 will serve as a great medium to raise awareness about the Gambian issue and thus help to gain allies among key decision makers in Africa and around the world. The interview also clearly demonstrated that ex-Ambassador Sey should be the “Go-To-Guy” when The Gambian dissident Diaspora needs someone that can go toe-to-toe with any world class reporter and deliver its core message with precision, finesse and skill; especially if the delivery has to be done in French- the language of Love. As many Gambians join the world in celebration of their loved ones on St. Valentine’s Day, I pray that we all feel an everlasting burning love for our country that will soon be the impetus for positive change in The Gambia.
Enjoy the attached video interview.
By Sigga Mamour Jagne
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1c1xy4_l-invite-du-jour-essa-bokarr-sey-gambie_news?start=9