YAYA'S MISSION IS TO DESTROY. AND DESTROY, HE WILL

Yaya Jammeh has for the longest time graduated from intimidating and/or 'teaching' your people lessons. He's been on the very mission he's had since birth, translated to possibility on the day the gang of bandits with arms accidentally chose him to lead what'd become a murderous enterprise.

Yaya's primary goal is to wreck YOU and your countrymen, bring them down to what he had always been - NOTHINGNESS. The hateful, vindictive nature of this man is his motivation in everything he does in life: 'As long as I'm in this position, NO Gambian shall shine or realize their potential.'

Yaya Jammeh will continue to stunt and eventually destroy your country's creme de la creme (the youth) and shorten the lives of your parents and country's gem. Because he's never known, had, love from the womb to the cradle to adulthood, he's taking is misery on your countrymen. To him, your potential, ability, success is a threat to his soul. It burns him.

Inarguably, there's barely on a hands count, very few 'deserved' people languishing in jail. Majority of them are innocent, thrown in detention to rot (physically, psychologically) in hell, as he giggles and amuses himself at their peril. The one thing to help save what's left of our good people is to refuse to partake, any shape or form, in his quest to destroy your own people. Those with better, richer conscience, would do what these two ladies and those before them did, by refusing to give false testimonies against an innocent man. Refuse without uttering 'No', by not showing up at their treacherous dealings. I'd be killed first before I be an accomplice in sending another person to hell for Yaya Jammeh. It's sad.

We have to translate our disgust, frustration and contempt for the awful leadership and regime by turning our backs on them. Otherwise, YOU and I remain the next meal on the menu - Victims.

Peace To The Planet.

Pata PJ

YAYA JAMMEH ISN'T OUR REFLECTION.

People, Nations, change over time, even if temporarily, mostly dependent on situations they're dealt. Depending on the experience, our positions, reactions and thought processes would swing. Biases, prejudices are built. Alliances are formed, new adversaries are made. This is all over the world. Gambia after the 1994 regime change, the United States after September 11, Manchester United after Ferguson retired. It's human nature.

In spite of all that, I do believe that Humans are generally good. That's not to say bad, evil souls aren't found in humans as are in jinns. What I found disappointing is to see folks allow a singularly distasteful experience shape the rest of their existence, and REFUSE TO SEE GOOD in others. That we have become cynics and natural critics that nothing from others could be out of good faith. That we've become so untrusting of others that  Our immediate endeavors or wishes would be for them to trip and fail, so their weaknesses, shortcomings get illuminated. Highlighted.

One reason why I never subscribe to the belief that Yaya Jammeh is a reflection of Gambians is because Yaya wasn't anybody before 1994. Prior to '94, things we're hearing, seeing in Gambia today were an anomaly, and the Gambia is a significantly older nation. It was not born in 1965. If we are able to live together, work together in such a cordial, near-excellent condition, how do we allow Jammeh's 22 year reign of misrule punctuated by repression and fear define us as a people or nation?

It'd help if we acknowledge and respect our situation, condition, that we're not unique. Any nation that tasted the pills of oppression or dictatorship suffer a great deal of division, disunity and trust deficiency because THAT'S how those kinds of regimes thrive. It's often always the circumstances that pushed everybody on a survival mode and the crabs in a barrel scenario ensues. I'm NOT saying that's OK. I'm only giving a reason for our temporary state that's going to change once this cancer is out.

Therefore, could we be a little optimistic and faithful instead of the over zealous cynicism and stop cultivating the 'Gambia Du Dem' mentality. I see that saying as an excuse. Could we be fair and honest that though Ibrahim once erred, even if it was in judgment, intentionally or not, he could still have the capacity to bounce back and get back on track. We cannot expect to make headway when each time David or Kaddijatou says or does something our instant reaction would be 'Don't trust them. They're not up to any good'? Why do we seek to poke hole in each other's motivations when we know that our individual efforts tho important, could not yield us much dividend as when we coalesce and work together?

We have to get to a point where hard decisions gotta be made, about leaving behind perennial cynics and naysayers, and forge on with those willing to ditch petty differences or still bruised over hurt feelings. The 21 years of dictatorship sure could impact our being but must not define us as a people and nation. Yaya Jammeh isn't a reflection of me or my people. Gambians are generally a good people. We're NOT seeking perfection but greatness. Perfection only a Godly attribute - says those of faith.

Kambia bitaa leh. Dina Dem.

Peace To The Planet!

Pata PJ

GAMBIA: LET AMADOU, MAMUT & EBOU GO!

In the past couple of years, a few things about the Gambia and are her affairs had me devastated and broken down to a point of withdrawal. I'd doubted if I was indeed emotionally and psychologically prepared for this fight to rid Gambia of the repressive jaws of the 21-year old tyrant with all the emotional rollercoaster.

When the video clip of a visibly tortured Amadou Sanneh paraded on GRTS surfaced, I was crushed. I was sad and wept for the old man who was physically manhandled to coerce and force a confession of wrongdoing out of him before he had his day in court. The humiliation had me livid.

On December 30, 2014, when an attempt to effectively terminate the worst regime subsaharan Africa has seen including during colonialism. It was bad enough that Yaya Jammeh was not caged or riddled with bullets, the lost of lives that we suffered of decent patriots who risk it all for country and her people still feels like a nightmare that wish I could undo. We've still not recovered from that.

The reason I reserved a lot of respect for sister Juka Ceesay is beside her unflinching commitment to getting work done, this young lady embodies what 'true family' is. She is relentless and courageous in refusing to budge as she fights on with hope and faith that her brother Alhagie Mamut Ceesay would come home. Same can be said of a devout, bravehearted wife Mai Badgie. When I saw her at the demonstration in DC with her son under the scorching sun, I stared and applauded. But things were unbearable when the whole family including the mother of Mamut Ceesay, broke down on radio, pleading for their family loved ones to be let go. That faithful Friday afternoon was tough.

All these are caused and brought to us by one person - Yaya Jammeh. The President of the Gambia, elected and sworn in to serve and protect Gambian lives and properties, has chosen to not only abuse but maim and disappear innocent nationals who pose no threat to him or his regime. This man, who had from childhood been a beneficiary of the people and families he derives pleasure from hurting, has been nothing but a vindictive, mean-spirited renegade. He's become synonymous to Gambian State and his paranoia has morphed the State into a heartless Dracula.

When news of 'Amnesty' and Prisoner 'Pardon' broke, I held my breathe with anticipation that many innocent people languishing in state custody, but must especially Amadou Sanneh, Alhagie Mamut Ceesay and Ebou Jobe, would be let go to reunite with their families. Until very recently, when I wake up the first thing I do is to check 'breaking news' headlines to a point that I'd recently dreamt about them granting an interview on radio. That is how emotionally invested I am in this. I've struggled to comment about them because the many questions about why they're detained in the first place and obvious uncertainty of their condition is tough to imagine. Why they're still kept when murderers, rapists and large-scale drug dealers walked is beyond me. Well not really. The explanation could be found in the hateful, unreasonable, erratic nature of an unfair, unjust president in Jammeh.

I've been deflated for over a week and thought I'd tune out to take a break but it's impossible. Despite our disappointments we must never relent or despair. The resolve and faith of the families who are going through this are an inspiration. We must redouble our efforts to demand the release of these gentlemen by hitting all pressure points. Yaya Jammeh, the State are solely responsible for the wellbeing of these people, and we'll continue to hold him personally accountable.

FREE AMADOU
FREE EBOU
FREE MAMUT

Pata PJ

August 6, 2015

THE GAMBIA DEMOCRACY FUND MUST NOT DIE!

YOU ARE GDF. I AM GDF. WE ARE GDF.

This is YOUR project. OUR project. The people who have had enough of the mal-administration in the country by an executive ran by one selfish individual, who has no regard for you and your existence, are reminding you us that we cannot endure this burden any longer. The people have seen 21 years of tyranny which is evident of the existential threat that the Gambia and her people face. The people have cried under the yoke of oppression that has taken away what's yours to replace it with a replenished crop of unconscionable draculas whose everyday occupation has been to keep you a downtrodden nation and a people.

We're left with no choice but to pick ourselves up, raise our voices, hands and #pockets to put an end to this. We have the capacity, with the human resources at our disposal. You may say a lot about the thinly stretched land that we call home, but since her coming to being, the Gambia was never short of better, greater, able sons and daughters to keep her alive since the 'improbable nation' tag was thrown at it. The tag didn't stick because WE refused. This period isn't any different. The long, hard but temporal undemocratic space that we are in is about to crumble. Crumbling not by itself but because you and I refused to entertain it any longer. All what is required is actionable action to walk out of this abusive relationship.

GDF is here to be a #vehicle for a needed change. There are 'Drivers' at GDF but YOU the Gambian, the only donor, are it's #engine. Let's oil the engine and be our own GPS and/or map. Let's support in anyway, any capacity we can but most importantly with our pockets to uproot the current system and replace it with a big, better system of our choosing. Let's chip in what we could, and NO amount is too small.

YOU ARE GDF. I AM GDF. WE ARE GDF. Don't accept anything to the contrary.

Pata PJ
August 17, 2015

FOR THE GAMBIA? NAH, SOME WILL THROW SAND IN THE MEAL.

NOW, I know I'm NOT the best grade of #weed in the dispensary but I'm above average.

If you're born into a family of dummies, with parents the ultimate definition of STUPID, you can't undo that relationship because they're your parents. But if YOU signed up for a relationship of any kind with a friend and they're as stupid as it could get, you have a choice to live with the embarrassment. You can always undo a friendship where the other party's stupidity is contagious.

I can kinda tolerate if you play like you're smarter than me. But when your head gets swollen to believe that you're the smartest cookie in the jar, you lose me.

This is one reason Yaya #Jammeh is bad for humanity, including his own kids. He forces the worst out of Gambians at home and abroad. He's made Pata PJ believe that he'd make the best village Chief. I've seen nail cutters turned overnight legal experts, teachers became wrestlers, drug dealers/abusers are now moral police, wife beaters the marriage counselors. Our dislike for a person or thing turned the best among us into bitter, potential killers pointing the pistol at any head just cos we've been possessed by our inadequacies. Insecurities.

IF my aim is to rid the Gambia of repression, I'd not break anyone's GPS if they're set out for the same mission. You'd think it'd be that easy but I guess NOT. We hate leaders as much as we do followers. Nothing hurts me more than getting disappointed by the people I'd respected.

Let's PRAY!

Pata PJ

THE GAMBIAN OPPOSITION PROPOSES & DEMANDS ELECTORAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS

The Gambian Opposition Group of Six (G6) issued a statement to the press detailing their demands for reasonable and needed changes to the country's electoral laws, following several electoral cycles that were marred by irregularities.

It was a known secret that following the boycott of the 2011 presidential elections by the regional body ECOWAS, all but one of the opposition parties chose non-participation and sat out a couple of election cycles pending reforms. These release which has been in the works for two years, is pursuant to those demands, and has been copied to The President of the Republic of The Gambia, The Chair person IEC, The Speaker of the National Assembly, The Chief Justice, The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, The Secretary General ,United Nations; The Chairman, African Union ; The High Representative For Foreign Affairs , EU; The Chairman , ECOWAS; The Secretary of state, United States and Reverend Jesse Jackson.

*************************************

1. PROTECTION OF FRANCHISE

The opposition observed that section 39 of the constitution of the Gambia guarantees the right of all Gambians, who are 18 years and above, being resident at home or abroad, to be registered as voters and to vote at public elections. The right of Gambians resident abroad to be registered as voters and to vote is also statutorily granted by Section 11 and Section 141 of the Elections Act.

Therefore the Opposition demands among other things the recognition and observance of the right of all Gambians to be registered as voters and to vote, irrespective of whether they are resident at home or abroad.

It is further proposed for general registration of voters to be conducted a year before the beginning of each electoral cycle and supplementary registration of voters be conducted annually during an electoral cycle, comprising presidential, national Assembly and council elections.

Further measures were proposed aimed at preventing fraudulent registration through attestation,


2. PROTECTION FROM GERRYMANDERING AND- ENSURING EQUAL REPRESENTATION
The opposition noted that section 50 of the Constitution makes provision “for the establishment of a Constituency Boundaries Commission” since 2001 which has been honoured with disregard. The absence of such a commission had led to gross imbalance in respect to the size of constituencies thus negating the ideal situation of having constituencies with equal population or equal number of voters, which alone could give effect to the principle of equal number of persons determining equal number of representatives.

Hence Kombo North constituency, which is entitled to one National Assembly member, has 110,000 registered voters, which is more than the number of voters registered in all the three constituencies combined in the Banjul administrative area; all the Constituencies combined in the Kerewan administrative area; all the 6 constituencies combined in the Mansa Konko administrative area; all the 11 Constituencies combined in the Janjanbureh administrative area and all the 7 constituencies combined in the Basse administrative area, respectively.
The opposition demands the immediate enactment of the Constituency Boundaries Commission Act and the immediate demarcation of constituencies prior to the general registration of voters, on the basis of the principle of equal number of inhabitants or equal number of voters for each constituency.

It strongly recommends that, in the event of any constituency boundaries delineation exercise, the demarcation proposed by The Commission under the Chairmanship of Arch Bishop Tilewa Johnson be given due consideration.

3. PROTECTION OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION

The opposition observed that the removal from office of three Chairpersons of the Independent Electoral Commission and other members by the executive prior to even serving one seven-year term and the failure to publish the appointments in the Gazette so that the courts could take judicial notice of them, have undermined the Independence of the Commission and the security of tenure of its members and has also facilitated an overstay of membership beyond the limit established by the Constitution.

The opposition demands that all appointments of commission members be gazetted as required by law for all subsidiary legislations and those who have served more than two seven year terms should vacate their seats and no member of the Commission be removed for any reason without the setting up of a tribunal comprising three judges of superior courts to determine any allegation of misconduct or infirmity.

It is further proposed that the membership of the Commission be increased to seven excluding the Chairperson so that there is a Commissioner responsible for each of the seven Administrative Areas.
In order to instill confidence in all stakeholders and guarantee the absolute independence of the Commission, a constitutional amendment is proposed to make it mandatory to draw members of the Commission from TANGO, The Gambia Bar Association, The Gambia Press Union, the Gambia Christian Council, The Supreme Islamic Council, The Gambia Teacher’s Union, The National Youth Council as long as they function as non partisan civil society segments. Appointments should be sensitive to the principle of gender equity.

4. PROTECTION OF THE ABSOLUTE MAJORITY PRINCIPLE AND UNDILUTED CHOICE

The opposition observed that section 48 of the Constitution which was amended was approved at a referendum in 1996 to ensure that a President is elected by the absolute majority to guarantee undiluted choice.
The relevant portion of the amended provision stated that

“(3) No person shall be elected as President on a first ballot unless the votes cast in his or her favour at the election are more than fifty per cent of the total number of votes validly cast at that election.
.The opposition proposes the re-enactment of this constitutional provision before the 2016 Presidential Elections.

5. PROTECTION FROM FRAUDULENT REGISTRATION PRACTICE

It is statutorily established and mandatory for every Gambian citizen being 18 years or older to possess a national Identity card. We demand that the National ID serves as the principal document to be produced or an affidavit indicating its loss, defacing or destruction, to determine age and citizenship for registration as a voter. We demand that all those who are registered using an affidavit to appear before a revising court to show their new ID cards or have their names struck out.

The opposition proposes that, like the voter’s card, the ID card should be made universally accessible, at public expense for all Gambians 18 years or older. Cost should be involved only if replacement is needed.
It is further proposed for the Elections Act to make provision for each registration team to be monitored by two registration agents appointed by each registered political party and maintained by a fund set up for that purpose and administered by the IEC.

It is strongly recommended that street names and compound numbers of registered voters in cities and towns and kabilo names and compound numbers of voters in villages be included in registers of voters to detect and serve objections against those who have unlawfully registered as voters.

6 NON INTERFERENCE OF PUBLIC SERVANTS AND THE DISCIPLINED FORCE IN PARTISAN MATTERS

The opposition observes that Section 41 of the Constitution provides “equal access to public facilities and the media by candidates at public elections.”

Section 222 adds that “ no public servant or member of the disciplined force should

(a) Allow his or her political inclinations to interfere with the discharge of his or her official duties;

b) be a member of, or take part in any association of persons which might prevent him or her from impartially discharging his or her duties; or

(c) take part in any activities which cast doubt on his or her capacity to deal impartially with matters or issues which are the concern of his or her public office or which interfere with the performance of his or her public duties. ”
The opposition further observes that the Memorandum of understanding between parties makes it obligatory for all parties to “respect the full separation of powers as detailed in the constitution.

II. Not seek in any way to unduly influence or use other arms of government for political purposes;

III. “Refrain from using Civil Servants and public funds for campaign purposes.”

.The opposition, therefore demands that all parties refrain from using public servants, members of the disciplined force, traditional rulers, public facilities and public funds for campaign purposes; that the post of head of the civil service be divorced from cabinet post; that no circular be issued to public servants by departmental heads requesting them to participate in any matter which has partisan objectives.

7. PROTECTION OF SECRECY OF THE BALLOT

The opposition took note of the provision of Section 40 of the constitution which states that, “All public elections and all referenda voting shall be by secret ballot.”

The opposition has given reasons why the voting method where Polling agents are required by law to sit where they would not be able to know how a voter voted but would know that only one ballot has been cast by listening to the sound resulting from the impact of ballot tokens on the internal baffle plate or device in each ballot box which should emit the same sound to avoid detection, has become anachronistic and proposes ballot papers to replace the marbles.

8. PROTECTION FROM THE ABUSE OF INCUMBENCY

The opposition highlighted that Section 208 of the Constitution calls on : “All state owned newspapers, journals, radio and television shall afford fair opportunities and facilities in the presentation of divergent views and dissenting opinion.”

Since all parties are required to prepare manifestoes, we demand that all parties are periodically given access to the state media to explain the content of their manifestoes and debate on them.
The opposition proposes the adoption of a campaign period of three months duration to enable the voters to be well informed and create a level ground before elections.

9. PROTECTION AGAINST OSTRACISM OR STIGMA OR DISCRIMINATION

Relying on Section 26 of the Constitution which states that, “Every citizen of The Gambia of full age and capacity shall have the right, without unreasonable restrictions-

(a) to take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives;

(b) to vote and. stand for elections at genuine periodic elections for public office, which election shall be by universal and equal suffrage and be held by secret ballot;”

The opposition observed that it is reasonable restriction to bar a child or one suffering from infirmity from standing for public elections but would constitute unreasonable and unjustifiable restriction to bar a Gambian from standing for public1elections who is above the age of a child and is of sound mind and body.

It recommends for the amendment of section 63 of the constitution so that an upper age limit would not constitute a bar to participation as a presidential candidate.

It is also recommended that a Gambian stationed abroad to work, study or for any other purpose be considered to be ordinarily resident in the Gambia.

10. The Opposition endorsed the IEC’s recommendation to the National Assembly for electoral law review to exclude Attestation Forms from the documents that are to be forwarded to the Registration Officers during registration of voters” to determine citizenship and the request to re-introduce the screening of registration applicants by registering officers.

The opposition further supports the proposal to mandate the IEC to demarcate boundaries before the setting up of a boundaries Commission and hold Presidential and National Assembly Elections on the same day using paper ballot as the system of voting.

11. TWO TERM LIMITATION ON TENURE FOR THE PRESIDENCY

The opposition recommended the promulgation of a two term limit of four or five year duration per term to enhance greater political stability and national peace and security.

11. VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT

Running Mate or Election Within 90 days

The Opposition observes that Section 65 of the Constitution provides for the assumption of the office of President by the Vice President whenever the office of president becomes vacant and by the speaker if there is no Vice president. To ensure that no person becomes president who is not elected by the people we recommend the adoption of the practice of having a running mate in contesting presidential elections. In the event that a vacancy occurs after the running mate assumes office we recommend that an election to the office of President be held within 90 days after the office of president becomes vacant, if the remaining term is more than two years. In any other case the Speaker of the National Assembly would assume the office for the rest of the term.

12. THE REVITALISATION OF THE INTERPARTY COMMITTEE

The opposition proposes for the revitalisation of the Interparty Committee to enable it to serve as a forum for dialogue and cooperation to promote participatory democracy anchoring on the level ground required for the holding of free, fair and genuine elections.

The opposition further proposes that the Interparty Committee be given a statutory mandate to enable it to foster dialogue on broader Constitutional, Legal, Institutional and Administrative reforms touching on the mandate and operations of the Executive, National Assembly, The Judiciary, Regional Administration, the National Council for Civic Education and the IEC in order to promote good governance, participatory democracy and genuine elections

ISSUED ON JUNE 15, 2015

YAYA JAMMEH 'PARDONS' PRISONERS. BUT FOR WHAT?

I'm happy for the Families of the 85 'prisoners' 'pardoned' by President Yaya Jammeh and would like to congratulate them for the reunion.

What I wouldn't do is to credit Jammeh for a 'gesture' that some are seeing as magnanimous. Yaya does not have the conscience or the heart to do anything in good faith. So my wary instincts put me on a pessimistic alert, and I started looking for holes in his recent move.

First of all, for a country that's not only an open prison but a whales tummy where many citizens are unaccounted for - disappearances, kidnapping, detention without trials - 85 people is a very small figure after all these years. Besides, let's see how many of these:

a) are Political Prisoners or prisoners of conscience.
b) have been Tried in court and rightfully convicted.
c) already served their terms.
d) dumped in 'remand' without ever been charged of a crime.
e) are 'real' persons in prison and do not included dead ones or 'fictitious' inmates.

Here is why! For a president who just a week ago was threatening to 'slit the throats' of perceived adversaries to be this 'magnanimous' in observance of the country's 50th independence anniversary that happened 4 months ago, to open the gates for convicted 'criminals' is an unprecedented kindness.

Secondly, a week doesn't go by without reports of families crying that their loved ones 'haven't come home'; we have the cases of missing people from Chief Manneh, Kanyiba Kanyi, to Ebou Jobe and Alhagie Mamut Ceesay; people prosecuted and persecuted for their political beliefs (Amadou Sanneh et al), families of those allegedly involved in December 30 liberation attempt who have committed NO crimes; people who beat their cases in the Courts (Mabury Njie et al) but still languishing in jail. It is the Gambian State's responsibility to make sure that these people and their rights are protected. All these mentions have one common denominator - JAMMEH. He either sanctioned their conditions or knew about it. That is why I'm very cautious with this because Yaya is a hypocrite but a shrewd politician too. You cannot want to present yourself as merciful, benevolent lover of people when we've seen you proposing legislation that'd license you to legally murder more Gambians. That's a serious contradiction. I suspect that he's dangling a carrot while he plots something sinister, evil and major.

But even if we do want to give him the benefit of the doubt to say it was in good faith, it's still not good enough if all/most of those 'pardoned' seem to be low level convicts (petty thieves, weed possession, trespassing etc).

Jammeh DOES NOT have the capacity to EVER do good. So this isn't good enough and not worth a credit or celebration. A friend of mine succinctly reminded us of Malcolm X's stabbing in the back with a nine inches knife, pulling out five inches and want to call that a progress. Same in this case. Yaya isn't up to any good! Watch him tell them that he could have killed them if he wants but he didn't want to take them out of their miseries. This nigga sick