Folks, as far as I am concerned, the Diaspora is a constituency of the Gambia. The Diaspora has worked hard to galvanize and unite Gambians over the years. The dictator has had rough times coming to terms with this stubborn and defiant group; from the online radios and newspapers, to the many commentaries and articles addressing the dictator in its true uniform, to the demonstrations, to the raising of funds to support those oppressed by the criminal regime, and just the endless struggle that came to define this defiant group. Those that fall under this group has sacrificed a lot; from personal threats to not holidaying in the Gambia to see loved ones.
It is worth noting that the struggle should be done in a sincere way. It is not about who gets what credit and who did what. Everyone’s little effort counts. We are oppressed and humiliated. We are fighting to regain freedom and liberty. That is why many believe that a little attitude change will probably add salt to the meal we have on the table. Things should be done in a sincere way –there is no making of political fools, the way Dr. Larry Pinkley puts it about America’s melting pot philosophy where those on the bottom suffer more heat than those on the top. Whoever is heading any party or group, a level of transparency is needed. It is better to see the whole Gambia than just think in party lines.
Looking at the Diaspora, critics maintained that there are many forces fighting; from the different groups with duplication of faces, to the competition among the groups in fundraisings, to accusations that many are just out in these groups to promote only their individual party agendas and if such fails, you will see them quit with the wind, to some of the seen ideological and political differences that marred some of Gambia’s forums time and again. An addition that complements the struggle but remains under heavy fire of criticism are those that previously worked with Jammeh and now fully uniformed to fight the tyranny.
Other countries’ nationals have voted outside, and one can as if Gambians will get there one day.
With all the good sides and bad sides that can be attached to the Diaspora, it is still a Gambian constituency and any effort to invalidate such entitlement and right is a violation of our fundamental right.