As the saying goes, the best way to expose the weaknesses of bullies is to stand up to them. For 21 plus years Yahya Jammeh leader of the small West African State of the Gambia and his clique of mediocre have held the Gambian people hostage. The President and his few notorious securities have intimidated Gambians from every sector of society. No Gambian citizen being it politicians; religious leaders, Journalists, public servants, private independent citizens, artists, students, activists, members of parliament, business men/women, security personnel and even diplomats dare say a word in opposition to the incompetence of the Jammeh regime without facing the brunt and might of the oppressive machine. Citizens have been jailed, arrested and detained indefinitely, others disappeared without trace and many exiled for daring to say anything against the regime that claims to represent the interest of the people.
Gambians were so brutalized and oppressed that people were scared to listen to radios, watch television or event discuss at the kitchen table anything that had to do with their government or the use of their resources. Mentioning Jammeh’s name alone without praise singing him either on television, radio or any form of gathering tantamount to immediate arrest, severe beating, dismissal and in many cases mandatory jail time without due process. Judges have been intimidated, police chiefs, security heads, Directors and even non governmental organization leaders including private business entrepreneurs were not spared of the brutality and intimidating tactics of the Jammeh oppressive Jammeh. All these oppressive mechanisms are being carried out by less than one percent Jammeh’s security and or accomplishes. How these heartless few individuals who cannot compete on a level playing field successfully marginalized and intimidate a whole nation is beyond comprehension.
The success of Jammeh’s brutal oppressive machine banked mainly on the timidity and or the peaceful nature of the Gambian people who don’t know how to confront their fears and or stand up to any form of oppression. Gambians consistently relied on their not so strong faith and prayers to hope for the best. But despite their willingness to bend backwards to please a leader who has absolutely no respect for their humanity and liberty is still a mystery historians and political pundits are trying to figure out. But as the saying goes “whatever have a start must have an end” when the people are pushed against the wall and they continue to suffer the brunt of the regime regardless of whether they say or do anything, was a matter of time before it comes to an end. Yes, it took damn too long for the people to allow the regime and Yahya Jammeh to take advantage of their unwillingness to confront the evil and suffering that is imposed on them.
Gradually though, what has taken 21 years awaken the people is now coming to light; as the Gambian people have had enough of the intimidating tactics, the enforced disappearances and the systematic killing of citizens. The 2016 political climate which shows no sign of letting up on the oppressive machine has finally brought people to their defense. The bold and courageous move by Solo Sandeng who was tortured to dead for simply exercising his constitutional rights along with less than two dozen protesters have woken a sleeping giant. The alleged torture and killing of Mr. Sandeng, Fatoumata Jawara, Nogoi Njai and others all members of the United Democratic Party blew the cover and exposed the weakness and cowardice of a morally demoralized President and his cliques. The people led by leaders of the majority party whose supporters have suffered more than any other party in the hands of the regime, have now provoked the rare courage of the Gambian people. Since April 14th Gambians have hit the streets on a daily basis demanding of release of the detainees dead or alive. Women who rarely join any political activities and probably the worst exploited supporters by the Jammeh regime have now started showing their suppressed love and concern for the welfare of their people. Together with many brave citizens women have openly demanded accountability and have stormed the court houses and or block the streets to bring traffic to a halt. The process continuous and fear seems to be a thing of the past.
What is even more fascinating about the rapidly changing political circumstances in the Gambia is President Jammeh and his securities’ silence and surrender to the will of the people. While the regime try to put up a brave face and persecute Lawyer Ousainou Darboe and his brave supporters who protested alongside him, it is crystal clear that the dictator who has threatened to kill and wipe out any citizens willing to stand up to his absolutism is on the verge of losing his grip on to power and is unbelievably intimidated by the large presence of citizens in the streets. The fact that the man who have always addressed even street rumors on television and openly threatened “to bury Gambians six feet deep” is nowhere to be seen in public is a clear testimony that he has lost ground he continuing to oppressed the Gambian people. If he is still in control of power and believes that power belongs to him and not the people, then he dare come out confront citizens in the streets as he ordered during the student demonstration in April 10 & 11th when Jammeh ordered the innocent killings of 14 unarmed students and a Red Cross volunteer. It is evidence that the most arrogant and selfish leader the Gambia has ever witnessed is having crisis within his security apparatus and cabinet. As the International community add its voice to the killings and unwarranted arrest and detention, Jammeh is cornered and sooner rather than later he must realized that power indeed belongs to the people and they are out to demand it. What moves the desperate President does in an unprecedented election year is anybody’s guess. The world is watching and any attempt to kill protesters in the streets will be met with the full force of the International community including Gambia’s neighbor Senegal. The ball is in Jammeh’s hands, give back power to the people or go down in history the ugliest of manners just like your God father dictators across Africa.