Gambia: WHY ARE YOUR YOUTHS CRYING?

If you consider yourself a youth, develop yourself and earned a position in that country. That era of Yaya Jammeh picking you up from nowhere to dump you in a Ministerial position cos he wants to give a semblance of youth representation is probably done with.

It is a fact everywhere, that ministers are mostly political appointees hired (not elected) to see and execute the visions of a president. That though, I believe has to be accompanied with maturity (not just age), experience and tenacity. Age and youthfulness isn't enough.

WE watched our aging Men/Women for 22 years fought a, political liberation in the most terrible climate. Now they're filling political appointments we started crying? I guess some of us may be too young to know how ascension to certain positions work during the First Republic and in any serious government. Youthfulness is Not Enough.

I'd encourage we put our foot on the neck of the President and his administration to create enabling environment and opportunities for us. Handing us employment isn't enough and not sustainable. Be encouraged and engaged in politics, social/community work, entrepreneurship etc, that do not have to be 100% reliant on the govt. I'm not saying the Govt can't employ capable youths but I'd be ashamed to cry and protest against an OJ getting an Agricultural Minister position instead of me cos he's old. He earned it. Did I?

Let's stop the crying and competing with old but experienced and deserving folks for appointments. Go earn yours!

Pata PJ

first published 2/2/2017

#GambiaHasDecided! ARE OUT OF THEIR MIND. HOW ABOUT #GambiaISDeciding?

Really? So we're having a Hash tag off of the decisions Gambians made ALREADY, turned into 'a Civil Society initiative promoting Democracy and Rule of Law'? Since when? Al buka malu!

It's a democracy, right? Freedom of speech, right? Move your toes cos we're marching. Here is mine:

You crusty, impatient, leechy gang of opportunistic few better go take several seats!! I'm going off the limb and charge that you've taken advantage of the political impasse that had a potential to go awry, by piggybacking on the already secured position of Gambians secured by 'active participants' who gave the fight their all, and stay in and thru the face of it!

#GambiaIsGoingToDecide
#GambiaIsDeciding
Why didn't we see these hash tags? We didn't cos those wanting to make sure Gambia Decided where busy risking their lives thru it. And even when the #GambiaHasDecided with greater degree of hostility and fluidity, amidst all LEGITIMATE threats, STAYED IN BANJUL. The Democracy and Rule of Law you're claiming to promote, was secured and defended before the damn hash tag! In the villages and trenches of the rural Gambia, in the streets and van tops of urban Gambia. We SAW those. We KNOW them! Fatoumatta Tambajang was there but we didn't see any of the founders of the new Civil Society Initiative anywhere. Not even Lawyer Taal once challenging any single unconstitutionality of anything. Today you are warning against cherrypicking?

It's freedom of speech, right? So, Your letter to President Barrow is wack, corny and foolish! Ridiculous too that it was written by a lawyer. First, you claimed that you have conflicting reports that the Vice President's ineligibility as one account puts her above 65. What is the other account that is conflicting? I'd assume you'd accord the Govt and Madam VP the presumption of innocence and good faith, if not the benefit of the doubt, that the alternative account that she's less than 65 is equally accurate before you jump to breach of Law. Especially when you're told that they'll provide proof! And until today, NOBODY showed any document bearing age of Mrs Tambajang.

But I'll let you bask in the newfound freedoms.

However, listening to the press conference of president Barrow, did he not say they have the document ascertaining that she's indeed within age bracket and they'll make that available? Oh let me guess... Cos Gambia Has Decided, #GambiaHasDecided also decided that they'll go on record to be the first 'pressure group' that writes to the President? Pssssh! Take several seats, my friends.

The president told Gambians that they'll provide the doc and I pray they do that at their own time. You bunch are becoming ridiculous. The real fight to get us here was tougher and lonely. That was when hash tags where valuable, not after a short pilgrimage to Dakar! Those that fought it DO NOT CARE. Matter fact, same way I'd advocated for someone to put a bullet to Yaya's head and supported the December 30 Attack that was unconstitutional and I did not care, from today, I DO NOT CARE if nobody respects or cares about an Unjust, discriminatory law! I pray president Barrow doesn't!

FOH!

Contrary to what you alleged, he didn't deflect the burden of proof to anyone. He said they are certain that they acted within the law and any who has anything contrary, could forward before adding that they have the proof to put out. 

Pata PJ

First Published 2/1/2017

Gambia: NIA? OLD WINE IN NEW BOTTLE

RENAMING the National Intelligence Agency (NIA)  to any fancy name does not change the fact that it was/is/shall remain that most notorious legal entity synonymous to murder, disappearances, torture, rape and everything fucked up, but intelligence. Even worse retaining the same personnel including THE BOSS!

That institution should have been KILLED the night President Barrow gets sworn in, or at least made it look so, and totally vacate any location they're known to have been housed. This old wine in new bottle shit isn't going to work.

As if that is not enough, you all sat and thought State Intelligence Services (SIS) was the best available? Like none are aware of that criminal religious, terrorist group in the Middle East. Make that an Abbreviation/Acronyms, wear the batch and fly into the United States and see. You're dead at sight.

NIA JUST GOTTA GO, out of respect for the country and its many victims.

Pata PJ

First published 1/29/2017

Gambia: A GOVT OF GOODWILL; GOOD START

The mirage is that this is the change Gambians yearned and fought for. It's not going to be perfect or even great overnight, it's baby steps. Barrow is getting comfortable in his role. The pool of talent around him is admirable.

President Barrow's maiden press conference is refreshing and encouraging. I cannot remember President Jammeh ever subjecting himself to the press for question-answer sessions. Not to say Jammeh and his 22-year rule should be the yardstick, I'm acknowledging and appreciating the noticeable shift in paradigm.

This is a goodwill government led by citizens of infinite resolve and goodwill. I am NOT going to be DEFENDING Barrow and his Administration cos you do not need that in a government committed to democracy and progress. But I WILL be SUPPORTING the government by way of offering criticisms especially where I believe they 'misstepped' (intentionally or otherwise), and give them ample benefit of the doubt and positive reinforcement in what they set out to do.

It's a citizen's obligation to own and maintain watchful eyes. It's a safeguard against complicity. I'm worried about and interested in nurturing and safeguarding our budding democracy and newfound freedom than obsessed with fear of descending into another dictatorship. The trauma of the terrible defeated dictatorship will not paralyze and send me into a frenzy, to 'destroy' the pricey gains we've attained.

I choose to thrive on our prospect of progress and hope, instead of confined by the fear and experiences of our ugly past. The Gambia will positively move forward cos we want to, and have the capacity to. The stars are aligned.

Pata PJ

First Published 1/28/2017

MRS GAMBIA; IT'S ALL LOVE

As a mother in her third Matrimonial household, you'd understand this more than most. So please bear with your THREE sets of children.

Your FIRST set are all grown and experienced in Life and The World. They get and reasonably understand 'these things'. They're more patient, diligent and forgiving.

Your SECOND set are an impatient but understandably frustrated and cautious bunch. They endured hindrance in the worst form brutal dictatorship. That experience from an abusive,, drunken father shaped their being. They're cautious.

Your THIRD Set are 'Chaats'. Young, Energetic, Aggressive but Inexperienced. They're happy and grateful that you have just remarried but they grace it with mixed feelings. They love to see you happy and moving on, but want step-daddy to understand tale tell signs of hurting you would have them all up in arms.

Mrs Gambia, please do be patient. After all, all three sets are acting from a position of LOVE & CARE.

Pata PJ

First Published 1/27/2017

Gambia: CDS and AMBASSADOR KINTEH

For some of us, the fight to oust tyranny and dictatorship was primarily for freedom and justice. It wasn't like we did not care about Jammeh's corruption or fiscal rudeness, but personally, I'd left that to others.

The struggle to abort that brute and his barbaric, murderous system was prolonged by Gambians that pillared them. Politicians, Men of the clothe, Diplomats, Technocrats and Security forces DID that FOR Yaya and AGAINST Gambians.

Lt. GENERAL Masanneh Kinteh, you may be an immaculate Officer with a distinguished military career BUT Gambians see a lot of deficiency as CDS when that Institution was used as weapon of terror by a handful, instead of protecting them. You stand to be accused of being complicit.

BUT

AMBASSADOR Masanneh Kinteh. You served as the eye and nostril of the same oppressive system. You helped cleanse it's image and tell the world that it was the people's choice. That Yaya changed and bettered their lives. That the cries of the oppressed and repressed were not legitimate; they are soiling the glittering image of the all-my-tea Babili and 'all peaceful' mother Gambia. That's the shit that hurts us. That's the shit that had us in our predicament. That's the shit Gambians undo and are apprehensive in having you and your ilk around to contaminate. ALL Ambassadors and any in decision making positions, especially in places that helped entrenched him, You DISGUST US! Very little to do with your political affiliations.

And we're here to remind you, but especially President Barrow that our watchful eyes are on them and incorruptible memories hold indelible cache of trauma and pain. They cannot launder their images. We may NOT be able to stop you from 'serving' your country but we're forever here to tell you all that you bedded a murderous bastard in a bug infested bed.

Pata PJ

First Published 1/26/2017

Gambia: TOO SOON TO FORGET

IF the President's Vice President pick for whatever reason is unconstitutional, anybody but Barrow can take that blame. Especially that he does not operate in Isolation. There are enough legal minds in that room with uncompromising niche for legality for high school errors.

ANYBODY PICKED THE PHONE TO VERIFY/CONFIRM?

My issue is this: the group that got us here, are ALL responsible citizens who committed their lives and service to Democracy, Rule of Law and the Constitution. To the point that they gave almost everything for that. Including handling a Rebel who was bent on setting the country ablaze a few weeks ago. To think that that set of people will all say 'Fuck it! We're not respecting any laws any longer' is unfathomable.

But here is something that is crazier: ALL speculating about Madam Vice President's age HAVE one source: GOOGLE.

One thing that's been a cornerstone of Barrow on his team is their commitment to rule of law and respect of the constitution. AND transparency, especially with information. Halifa is always going to be here to accord you the chance to ask.

Long, tough years ahead BUT this is what we fought for - Ability to ask and express self, and get answers.

Pata PJ

First published 1/23/2017