Welcome (whether you’re just joining and/or an old-hand) to the struggle to save The Republic of The Gambia, the first question we ought to ask (can be asked in 2 ways); What’s the Problem(s) we are trying to solve? Or put it the other way; Do we want to remove and replace the president?
Most Gambians wanted DEMOCRACY. However democracy means different things to different people. Many also believed and/or are made to believe removing and replacing a president is synonymous to democracy. They are different and one does not necessarily guarantee the other. That is a HOPE that may/may not come through. By the way it has never in Africa.
Gambians are broadly into 2 groups:
- Those that thought we are a democracy with an elected president
- Those that thought we’re a dictatorship
The 2nd group (Dictatorship) is further divided into 4 groups:
- Unite The Opposition Parties under 1 leader to oppose Yahya
- Use Force to depose Yahya
- Others – they make lot of noise but offer no solution
- Build The Human Capacity
The first 2 are the most popular among political activist both home and abroad. The group wanting to unity opposition parties hope to win an election. In addition they hope their leader will introduce democracy when in office. It’s the group of double hope. First they will not win in an election controlled by the other contestant (Yahya). That is a debate for another day – how elections are won/lose in the Gambia. But even if we assumed through some miracle s/he won what are the chances to introduce democracy. African political history from Kwame Nkrumah to Yahya AJJ Jammeh, none has followed through the lofty promises of democracy, freedom and civil liberties. It reduces their power to the ordinary citizens. The democratic institutions that should keep them checked are none existence and/or dormant. They’ve no incentive to reduce their own power.
The advocates of ‘use of force’ cannot be ignored. For obvious reasons whatever they’ve, as plan will remain a secret. The problem is the cost of that approach both on life and property cannot be truly estimated before the fact. In addition those disadvantages it’s also based on hope that their leader will introduce democracy. Seriously…20 years ago ‘soldiers with a difference’ made similar promises. Where’re we today – 180o the opposite direction.
‘Others’ group is the camp that are too noisy and confused in processing the issues from none issues, problems from effects of the problems. More importantly they do not bring any proposed solution to the discourse.
The ‘Civil Society Group’ is where I belong. The premises of this group are to Empower The People by building the Requisite Human Capacity. We understood most want Yahya to go and to go now. In fact we would love that too, however we’ve no practically executable plan to doing that – it’s only dream/wishful thinking/hoping.
To have democracy (if that’s our goal) then our country will need her people as the first stopgap. To be a stopgap will not happen until we have the requisite knowledge and skills of demonstrating our ownership of our state and our lives.
Our Approach is based on the following premises:
- The problem is not so much about changing (removing/replacing) a president as it is about building the right democratic infrastructure that will put checks on whoever is in public office
- That without functioning democratic institutions whoever is the next president, either through coup, election and/or as a result of natural dead of Yahya will be another dictator – there is no incentive for him/her do otherwise
- That elections are not won/lose because of unity or lack there off – hence no union is going to win
- The inherent weaknesses of the Political Parties are such they cannot organize people to pressure authorities into necessary overhauls/reforms – on elections, other public policies, adherence to basic rule of rule/due processes
- That a neutral and independent voice of Diaspora Gambians has better chance of influencing the political environment by earning international community’s support (moral & financial), making demands for necessary overhauls and conscientization the people of Gambia
- That our struggle is in need of ‘A FACE’, both to Gambians and International Community. It’s not bloody situation hence need a tactical and rational presentation to our people and to the International Community for both moral and financial support
- That real conscientization will in the long term empower the people to eventually assume their rightful roles as owners of the republic
Disadvantages of this approach
v It will take time – social engineering is no straight line business
v It will be expensive – people have to be paid and resources has to be mobilized timely and in the right quantity
v It may cost life/property – we should be prepared some days may be really bleak/ugly.
But the alternatives will not make it to the finish line. In fact they are not directly addressing the actual problem.
How would this work? Institutional/Organizational Development Needed
There are important reasons to have a well structured and organized institutional setting fro this approach. The basic reasons are: we must amass an independent representative voice of concerned Gambians and at the same time be the face of the democratic struggle to the International Community.
The first questions I was confronted are why not join the existing groups rather than trying to form a new one? A very important question and I have answered before – that we cannot be subsumed elsewhere because the fundamental premises of our approach is different and secondly we are neutral brokers which none of the existing ones are. Better if they can bring their experience to further an independent approach. Should we join them – politics is more perception than reality. We will spend the rest of time trying to prove our independence.
Graphical presentation of how an ideal organizational/institutional structure may look like is available. Drop me an email and I shall shoot you a copy.
The Tasks/Implementation (Assumed the Organization is H/Q in USA)
- Finalized the Operational Organizational/Institutional Structure
- Finalized Our Vision of A Democratic Republic of The Gambia– draft exist in ‘The Working Paper’
- Finalized Our Program/Project Proposal for submission to solicit funds
- Mobilization and Organization of Gambians…in Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa
- Engaged the International Community on the Plight of The Gambia – needed support both morally and financially
Going To Banjul
- Present The Government of The Gambia our Vision and a covering letter (introduction, mission/goal and what/how we hope to work with them) through Gambia Mission of H/Q nation (USA)
- A month later drop a registered mail both to the Office of The President and Secretary General’s Office
- A month later contact all existing political parties (including the ruling party) with a Vision and cover letter
This alone may take years. One should expect out right rejection and/or resistant to even open or deliver the mails to the right offices. No big deal, every dictator will probably do the same. In the meanwhile we will continue to build our influence outside Gambia that will indirectly bear pressure either during foreign trips, restricted budgetary helps and/or eroded international standings.
- Three months later directly introduce vision to media houses, civil society organizations, professional groups
Notice no direct relation with ordinary people yet. This stepwise approach is to minimize collateral damage to innocent citizens especially at this early going
- At this stage our Africa Regional Coordinating Office in Dakar will lunch a media blister campaign – radio, cell phone pop ups, TV, etc.
These activities will be iterative and up to such time we have relative acceptance, we will venture direct contact with ordinary citizens
- Established a Country Coordinating Office in Banjul flanked with Regional Offices in each Region
- All full time Operatives/Agents shall be paid wages commensurate to their duties and living standard of working country
Here on great deal of conscientization, organization and mobilization. The people and political parties and supporters will become very useful at this stage making realistic reform/overhaul demands. This is pulling carpet under the bad guys while he help you pull more. The day citizens can block Denton Bridge until their demands are met – will signal the arrival of democracy.
Remember the goal is not directly/just removing and replacing Yahya or any future president. Our goal is to empower the people. Informed, vigilant and free people will make rational choice. We will be contended with their choices, whoever they maybe.
Goodness those choices will be limited by Functioning Institutions of Democracy and the laws of the land.
The Activities/Programs of The Movement
Will be detailed out at some stage
At the H/Q in USA
At the Chapters – Americas, Europe, Asia & Africa
In Banjul and across Gambia
Please join the Teleconference to further this debate
Saturday, July 20, 2013
5:00pm – 7:00pm EST
Conference Call # and Code: (605) 475-5900 & 416 565 6#
Involvement, Comments, Suggestions, Questions
Burama FL Jammeh
810 844 6040/810 772 1628
NOTE: Diagrammatic presentation is available on how we (Gambians) are divided on issues and the 4 schools of thoughts and as well the Ideal Institutional/Organizational structure for ‘A Citizen Movement for A Democratic Republic Of The Gambia. It’s easier to follow/understand. Drop me an email at the address above. The editors have difficulties in uploading such graphics. My apologies!