By Sarjo Bayang
Dressed like Sekou Toure late Guinean dictator but looks can be deceiving. Yaya Jammeh will not escape condemnation while he continues playing devil to scare Gambians. Gambia is not La Guinea of those days and certainly YayaJammeh is not Sekou Toure.
Myth and Reality of Sekou Toure in Yaya Jammeh
Guinean society and parts of Africa have been made to believe that SekouToure commanded higher powers from unknown spiritual forces. Word had it that by special gift of spirit SekouToure was capable of knowing the future. It was that perception leading to exaggerated profiling of Africa’s iron fist dictator as Sekou Toure carried on tormenting Guineans till his eventual demise.
When Yaya Jammeh seized power by use of guns he began dressing in very strange ways. Nobody could tell whatever motivated Yaya to such display in manners very much unbefitting. Jammeh later emerged with style and form of dressing that resembles Sekou Toure.
The truth is that Yaya Jammeh cannot fit into the frame of Sekou Toure. The two have nothing in common as Yaya wants portraying. Even if Sekou Toure had spiritual powers Yaya Jammeh is not the right person to inherit him. Worse of all, Gambians will never tolerate the bad ways of Yaya Jammeh as he expects people suffer in silence.
Similarities and differences
Apart from their manner of dressing there is nothing that Yaya Jammeh could claim resembling Sekou Toure without the risk of ridiculing himself. Yaya Jammeh is known for devil worship while Sekou Toure was seen as embracing Islam. To be seen as Sekou Toure would be one of the reasons for Yaya Jammeh abandoning his faith (whatever that is) and pretending a full blown Muslim.
Sekou Toure carried around white handkerchief as symbol of spiritual power. Yaya Jammeh roams around with Muslim prayer beads as no Imam will ever do. It is not clear why Yaya Jammeh wants to be seen as Sekou Toure. If it has to do with cruelty then Yaya is clearly getting somewhere with that looks of a masked dancer.
Tormenting perceived enemies
The story of Sekou Toure is never complete without cases of brutal encounters. It was said that Sekou Toure through power of spirit had dreams about people wanting to overthrow him. Next day, those who purportedly appeared in that dream were lined up for mass killing.
In Gambia too Yaya Jammeh under influence of spirits claims he is plotted to be overthrown. Anyone who creeps up in Jammeh’s mind is seen as enemy. No matter how close a person is to Jammeh, if you are perceived as enemy then get ready to be eliminated.
Detention and enforced disappearance was what Sekou Toure earned his worst profile. Yaya Jammeh too is using same methods.
Control over public media
At the time Radio Guinea was the most readily accessible medium of mass communication outreach. Songs of praise for SekouToure and his lineage dominated the national radio station just as Yaya Jammeh does in Gambia.
Gambia Radio and Television is grossly misused by Yaya Jammeh in manners similar to how Sekou Toure abused public media in Guinea.
Unfortunately for Yaya Jammeh, Gambians have lost confidence in anything coming from the national radio and TV as all of it goes to profile Jammeh; nothing better. Sekou Toure controlled information by monopoly over public media. That is not possible for Yaya Jammeh.
Media is having adverse impact on everything Yaya Jammeh stands for. It is too late for him to contain the power of media. Gambians are actively engaged through diverse social media platforms.
Use of military force
Without force of gun power dictators will have nobody to fear them. Dictators create conditions for the army to stay loyal. Senior army personnel are provided with abundant good treats. That is what Yaya Jammeh is doing. By inducing the army with whatever facilities does not guarantee unlimited security. Not everyone in the army share those benefits.
Atmosphere of fear breeds hatred for Yaya Jammeh
Most people in Gambia hate Yaya Jammeh rather than fear him. They want him to disappear for good. At first Jammeh thought he already succeeded by use of fear tactics. That is not holding any more. All that fear has now transformed to hate for Jammeh. Taking account of what Gambians write and grumble about YayaJammeh is the most hated individual in human society.
Whatever the situation turns to be, YayaJammeh will never be SekouToure and Gambia is not Guinea. People of Gambia have no tolerance for YayaJammeh and only a matter of time when Yaya along all those standing by him will reap what they sowed.
Damage control
Gambia is already so badly damaged. Those who still think of staying behind Yaya Jammeh will be disappointed and nobody to share their pain. That is already happening and will only grow.
The damage is done. Before extending it further, let those who enabled Jammeh this far surrender to reason. Gambians are forgiving. The damage beyond tolerable limits is hard to negotiate. You all have choice; at least for now.