Council man Samba Baldeh of Madison Wisconsin
By Demba Baldeh Associate Editor
Gainako has received numerous calls from US Gambian citizens resident in the United States raising concerns about the newly established “city twinning” relationship between the City of Madison Wisconsin and Kanifing Municipal Council in the small West African State of the Gambia. The phone calls, text and face book messages started coming in when Gambians learned that a new relationship between the two sister cities are in the offing orchestrated by Alderman Samba Baldeh who was elected as the first African born to the city Council of Madison representing District 17 in Madison.
From almost all the messages and phone calls received, citizens expressed their concerns on the timing of the launching of the relationship giving the political turmoil and oppression of citizens by the government of Yahya Jammeh who has been in power for 22 years. He has ruled the tiny West African country with iron fist for over two decades marked by violence, enforced disappearances and suppression of freedom of expression, the independent media and political association. Among those who expressed their concerns include former Gambian civil servant and foreign minister Mr. Sidi Sanneh who runs his own blog http://sidisanneh.blogspot.com/ dedicated to fighting political freedom in the Gambia. Mr. Sanneh happens to be educated in Madison Wisconsin and was appointed to his first city job by the Mayor of the city of Madison.
Upon notification of the launching of the relationship this author reached out to Alderman Samba to discussed about the concerns expressed and learn more about the said relationship which was coming to our attention for the first time. Mr. Baldeh and I had a lengthy discussion about the relationship; how it came about and why Kanifing was chosen amount other cities which were nominated for the relationship. According to Alderman Baldeh who partially grew up in Kanifing, the selection of the KMC was purely based on fair and democratic process and that it was the only city which met the standard requirements of Madison’s twinning procedures. Baldeh acknowledged that he had received many calls/messages as well from people expressing their concerns. He said his main reason for initiating the relationship was for Gambians and people of Madison to build a relationship that will benefit both sides. Baldeh argued that he sees more benefits from the relationship than drawbacks. He acknowledged the concerns of the people but insisted that he is going to continue to push the relationship forward and that the city of Madison can only control their side of the relationship.
Asked if he can guarantee that this relationship will not be used for political purposes by the Mayor of Kanifing Yankuba Colley who is the National propaganda secretary of the APRC, Baldeh said he would not have any control over what happens on the Gambian side. However, this reporter who is a close friend of Samba also expressed concerns about the relationship and stated that the APRC government has a history of interfering with private institutions and turn them in political machines for the APRC.. He gave an example of the government’s interference with the Gunjur Marlboro club which was also a twin city relationship between London and a coastal village in Gambia. The government interfered with the independent operations of the club and banned the club.
Many Gambians who live in the West certainly understand the benefits such a relationship can bring between sister cities under normal political and or free society. However, the whole world is very much aware of the political oppression and suppression of dissent in the Gambia since Yahya Jammeh came to power in 1994. For 22 years, Gambians have been subjected to brutal political oppression by their own government which continue to stifle freedom of expression, political association and dissent in the country. International rights groups and governments such as Human Rights Watch the United Nations, Amnesty International, the United States State Department, the European Union have all expressed their grave concerns on Gambia’s Human Rights records.
In fact, as this relationship between Madison and KMC are being established scores of Gambian citizens including women are being arrested, persecuted and women allegedly beaten and raped by security personnel of the Jammeh government. Many of those being persecuted in court were arrested and and are being prosecuted at the Kanifing Municipal Courts for peacefully protesting and calling for electoral reform. The United Nations have condemned the arrest of political opposition supporters including the leader of the main opposition party Lawyer Darboe of the United Democratic Party. Several of those arrested were tortured and one Solo Sandeng youth leader of the UDP allegedly died in the hands of the national Intelligence Agency. His body has neither been given to his family nor has the Government produce him in court. As we go to press several citizens are being tried for protesting which is guaranteed by the Gambian constitution.
So the question many people are asking is whether any City or State in the United States which values Democracy, Human Rights and freedom of expression should be establishing unconditional relationship with another authority which is known to be used politically against citizens within their jurisdiction. Yankuba Colley the major of Kanifing is on record calling for “No elections in Gambia” essentially promoting suppression of Multi-party democracy in the Gambia. Should such a person who has no respect for Democracy be building relationship with one of the most democratic and liberal cities in America? Only time will be the judge.
One thing is absolutely certain, the Gambia government is known for its dictatorship and has done everything within its power to show that they have a good relationship with the United States and the West. A desperate regime would do anything to show their legitimacy at the expense of its citizens. While many Gambians would welcome a genuine relationship between any sister cities in Gambia and the United States, citizen activists have legitimate concerns about the political situation in the Gambia. Any relationship that will be used by the Jammeh regime to continue to strengthen its grip on to power while suppressing dissent, arresting and killing citizens should be met with resistance and maximum exposure. While this reporter is equally concerned about the establishment of this relationship in fear of it being used to further legitimize a known oppressive regime, we can further attest that Alderman Baldeh has never openly shown support to the current regime. Therefore, both sides needs to be conscious of the consequences of building a relationship that could be used to promote impunity rather than freedom and Democracy.
In the interest of dialogue and transparency Gainako has invited council man Baldeh to a radio interview to answer questions from any concern citizens.
Disclosure: This reporter grew up with Council man Samba Baldeh in Gambia and is a personal friend. He attended Council man Baldeh’s inauguration in Madison and contributed to his campaigns. Samba is also among the founding fathers of this medium, building the site and serving as its first webmaster.