By Demba Baldeh, Commentary
History teaches us that no nation has ever been freed from the clutches of tyranny, economic and social ruins without the direct or indirect involvement of its elite class who has benefited the most from the resources of that nation. History and conventional norms further teaches us that the pride of national origin, nationality or religious identification far surpasses that of family linage, cultural heritage and social background. Each of the other sections of society puts us into an identify box and group of citizens who identifies with one or another. On the other hand our nationality, obligation to our nation and national heritage is what bonds us as a unique class of human beings who share a common destiny and identity.
I am compelled to write this piece as a challenge to the conscience of our citizens, because I truly believe that our beloved nation – The Gambia to whom we all owe so much for almost everything in our lives is bleeding profusely. Our nation is bleeding because it has been taken hostage by an unknown son in Yahya Jammeh against its will and it cannot rescue itself from the destruction of a leader and his clan men who have no historical perspective on our common binding harmonious relationships that existed in this one time smile coast of Africa. My goal in this piece is to challenge our nationalism, our sense of belonging, our duty to nation and pride in calling ourselves Gambians and descendants of our fathers and forefathers. Do we value the land of our fathers and mothers and therefore willing to fight for its survival, or are we willing to abandon for good what was handed over to us to nurture and to make better for our children and for generations yet unborn?
The accidental rise of Yahya Jammeh to power was probably beyond the control of Gambians. It was meant to happen and it did take us all by surprise. However, what has become of Yahya Jammeh and his total control of political, social and economic power in the Gambia did not happen in a vacuum. In other words Yahya Jammeh did not become the oppressive machine he has become without the aiding and propelling of some of our own citizens who have every stake in the national pride. One can understand few citizens being deceived into accepting a system for probably a good five years in governing terms but, to continue to be part of or watch the systematic destruction of a nation’s political, social and economic structures couple with indiscriminate humiliations; arbitrary arrest, jailing, brutal killings, mental torture of innocent citizens and seizure of public and private property into the President’s personal claims cannot be excused under any circumstances. The time has come for Gambians to confront the destructive nature of the most ‘transformative leader’ in every terrible way and his quest to mortgage what was once known as Gambia into his personal heritage.
As one author puts it “social and movements, online and otherwise, need elites in order to effect change”. In effect every change, political or social must have the interest and investment of that nation’s elites who are the most technically trained, most educated and potentially the most privileged in terms of resources and capacities to make a greater impact. Without the participation of this elite class of citizens the underprivileged and economically disadvantage would be the custodians of the struggle for social and political change. Such a change if successful leads to more vindictiveness and bigger divide between the lower and upper class of society. While everyone cannot be in the forefront and in the public space in such a struggle, there is absolutely no excuse whatsoever for Gambian elites to continue to be in different with the political realities of our nation. Yes, one may own a million Dalasis property or two in Gambia; one may want to visit the country and enjoy your vacation or one may not want to risk educational and professional investments only to end up being a victim of a rogue regime which has no boundaries. But as the say goes “if you think education is expensive try ignorance” in that if you think that life is all about personal achievements and social status and that you are safe by staying on the fence think again and reflect on your conscience and humanity.
Throughout history people with the highest stakes on the line have sacrificed everything to make society a better place. It is not about how long you live but what have you lived your life for in making a difference in this world. Gambian elites from within and outside who have benefited the most from state funded educational training both in the first and second republic through the use of national resources or technical aid and are now enjoying higher positions in the United Nations; The World Bank, IMF, IDB, ADB, ECOWAS, EU, Universities across the West or simply working in a foreign government just to name a few, owe our nation the moral obligation to pay attention to the systematic destruction of our beloved country. History will hold us accountable and will judge us on our indifference to the plight of our nation and our willful desire to ignore the political woes and realities of our impoverished country which needs us so badly at this dire moment.
It is argued that there are four types of elitism in every society. The power Elites are those citizens who have gained their position of privileges through the support of the State and are therefore willing to look the other way or pretend no political oppression exist in the Gambia and therefore they are not affected so will continue to enjoy the privileges regardless of their moral responsibility to their nation. The Chief Prosecutor at the ICC Ms Bensouda’s position and many others in the UN are a classic example of these. Despite their powerful positions and ability to influence policy, these people will remain mute and indebted to the existing government for their privileges no matter how bad it is.
The Second type of elite class is the Resource Elites. These are citizens who have the infrastructure or the capacity to make things happen either through their resources or relevant aspect of their skill sets and or experience. This class of citizens is largely missing and or is indifferent and feels no obligation or moral responsibility to pay attention to the destructive political situation in the Gambia. They have the means and the wherewithal but feel too superior or successful to invest their resources into change. They remain one of the most viable but morally indebted to come to the rescue of the nation through support and funding. These people will mourn and whine behind closed doors and private gatherings but don’t have the moral fortitude to contribute in one form or another to bring about change in their nation.
The third class of elites is the Idealists who are often ideological and has the power either communally or through social movements. They are supposed to be developing policies and drive debates to help shape the movement, but most of their power comes from the struggle itself. While this group can help lead the fight against the tyrannical regime in Gambia, they are often timid and afraid of commitment and accountability to the movement. Most therefore, run away from positions of responsibility and retreat into their comfort zones blaming the disorganization of the struggle. This class can absolutely do more to help lead a more viable movement for a functioning Democratic Society in Gambia.
The fourth and the last is the Literacy Elites. This is a group of citizens who have been in the forefront of the fight against political oppression and for genuine change in the Gambia. They are the community organizers and may be young and inexperience. Although they may not realize the amount of power they have, they often try to organize from one group to another vigorously searching for any group or anybody with an answer to the struggle. They can be emotional and or confused about the way forward and may feel alienated in seeking for advice and or collaboration with other groups. These are the foot soldiers who need the support of other elitists groups.
In summary, the Gambian political predicament most urgently needs the support of Gambian elites. They must understand that with the advent of social media, the struggle for political freedom is less about speaking on behalf of the people but more about amplifying the voices of the oppressed through various channels of communication and support. The online blogs and radios are an excellent avenue for Gambian elites to share their ideas, experiences and solutions to the political stalemate. While it might seem dangerous for these people to openly blog given their perceived reputation and or personal preservation they may value more, there are great opportunities for these elites to share their research work on case studies and or solutions with historical references to past struggles that can be modeled to address the situation in the Gambia. They could provide policy documents, organizational frame works and counselling to leaders of the struggle; online activists bloggers and or radio anchors for public consumption and references in addressing certain issues.
Gambian elites, political and civil society activists must realize that we have the power that cannot be found in bullets and guns, but one that is embedded in our patriotism and sense of collective responsibility and pride as citizens. We have the numbers and the resources that when invested wisely cannot be matched by a tyrant who cannot compete on a level playing field. Who relies on our divisions and or vulnerabilities to exploit us. That power lies within each and every one of us, it is power that was handed over to us with an abiding promise to our parents that we will never abandon our nation and the most vulnerable in our society. Gambia’s political salvation squarely lies not only in the hands of the existing political class but in every citizen particularly the elites who can afford more than three square meals a day. Our country who has nurtured us, gave us the opportunities we enjoy today is dying a slow death; crying for our intervention and history is watching us closely and we will all be judged by our actions or better yet our in-actions and indifference to the realities of our society. When we fail to get involved we have no one to blame but ourselves and when the next generation look back they will shake their heads in shame that they have been left to fend for themselves and to defend what belongs to others and not them…The question would be what were our people thinking?