POLITICAL BLUNDER?

FACT is, the joint statement condemning the detention and demanding thorough investigation into the alleged death of a protester should have come out of the Gambia. The initial protest led by Solo Sandeng was to protest the unbalanced electoral scale that is heavily tilted in favor of Jammeh and his Ruling APRC Party. The Opposition parties (G6) kicked and screamed but their non-aggressive cries for 4 years fell on deaf ears. So the Thursay 14 April protest that had Solo and group arrested was not only  complementary to the G6's efforts but a necessary starter.

The arrest, reported torture and alleged murder of any of the detainees, should have garnered an explosive NATIONAL reaction. But since it's a political issue, I was expecting an even more aggressive, pragmatic and rapid reaction from ALL political parties. Now we're left to wonder what must happen in that country to solicit any sort of practical political agitation?

THEN Lawyer Darboe upon hearing about the killing of his party's senior executive member and a woman brutally tortured, summoned his executive mostly the elderly, demanding to be given 'Solo Dead or Alive'. It was that simple. But the unruly, uncultured creatures in uniform devoid of any respect, violently interrupted and arrested them. 24 hours passed. Then 48. 72. Arraigned, Charged, denied bail. Eight days later, the only thing we've formally heard from Ousainou's partners and party leaders was some silly, unnecessary, not-so-urgent MoU from an Interparty meeting where they shared table with the party oppressing them. Nothing about what could have easily set that country in turmoil. As a matter of fact, Hon. Mai Fatty did leak that a couple of them (GMC and NCP) suggested that the Party Leaders be attending the court sittings when Ousainou and co appear as a show of solidarity only to be shut down by PDOIS and NRP because they feared that'd bring too much attention and supporters, and could lead to chaos, violence. REALLY?

NOW this joint public statement calling for the release of political detainees issued from bodies in Senegal, deepens the frustration from the deafening silence in Banjul. The G6 should have been the FIRST to openly give their take, condemning in the strongest terms, what happened. I do NOT care what meetings they've hard or are having. It's becoming a little too late. Potential Political Blunder!

I've stuck my neck out quite so often for our politicians arguing that other bodies in the country should step up too. And I still believe so. But this one IS THEIRS. Their fight to pick. So I'm still very disappointed but I'm awaiting their individual appearances on the radios to explain this one to redeem themselves. All I know is Yaya and the APRC might come out 'winners' if we surrender to them the advantage to compel them to compromise. I HOPE WE DON'T.

The Fight to Free Our Country Continues.

Pata PJ