Over Analysing Yahya Jammeh

Is it all about Dictator Jammeh or is there more to it? Kairo radio show on today.

Gambians have somehow become addicted to every conversation which starts and ends with Yahya Jammeh. We start with Yahya Jammeh the rapist, Yahya Jammeh the murderer, Yahya Jammeh the corrupt President, Yahya Jammeh the Mafia, the manipulative dangerous mixer, Yahya Jammeh the greedy, Yahya Jammeh the womaniser, Yahya Jammeh the tyrant, and so on and on.

However, President Yahya Jammeh exists within the fabric of the Gambian social and political landscape. He is not in space or operating in a vacuum. He manages his affairs and that of the Gambia with the help and assistance of Gambians, who come from homes, families, clans, tribes, cultures and traditional back grounds.

Our analysis is simple: Yahya Jammeh is the problem. We start from that point and somehow ends there. What we have succeeded in doing is chasing the shadows of our own created dictator. We chase his shadows while he plays along.

The Gambia media now competes furiously with one another on who knows what next the ‘master tyrant’ is planning to do. It is now turning ugly between certain media establishments. The burning issue is, who is more connected or sourced within the Jammeh gangster network. The smart game Jammeh plays is dribbled by his agents who drop bits and pieces of stuffs he finds harmless.

If a man walks in big strides and you follow him counting his foot steps, how long will you continue counting those footsteps? Let us stop counting Yahya Jammeh’s footsteps and commence learning what went wrong in the social, cultural, religious and educational fabric of the Gambia.

People hate being reminded of their grand fathers, they hate being reminded of the struggles their folks did in the past, yet we assume and think that, we can solve our problems with shallow education most of us acquires…

Ghana ends the Jawlings one man rule with a systematic changes, society has to be willing to change. Gambians stop running away from themselves and accept that, the problems we are facing is societal messed up, it’s community cohesion breakdown, it is shallowness in our education, and deceptive tendencies in dealing with one another.

Everyone now thinks he can be the next President, the next director, the next manager. Gambians find it terribly hard to work together, and the mentalities and mindsets are to blame. Unless, we thoroughly understand that, the greatest of America, Britain, France, Malaysia and other fast moving countries lies in the citizenry accepting to work for the common good, they will remain mediocre and under achieving.

Let the Big man mentality vanishes in the Gambian discourse, let the personality cult be destroyed, let the without me it will not succeed cease to fascinate shallow thinkers. What many leaves behind in their conversations is what is terribly more significant. President Jammeh is a parasite, but he has those who prepare, serve the human meal on his plate daily. Look back and learn, never run and hide from the shadows of your ancestors. Will they have accepted the plight we are in today, if not what would they have done to end it.

Tune in to the program on radio along side music breaks.

The Owl and The Pigeon

Kikiyan and Pura (A Short Story) By Suntou Touray
As it happens, many people accuse the Owl (Kikiyan) of being a witch. These accusations puzzled and troubled the Owl so much so that,  it took matters in it's own hand to clear it's cherished and reputable good name.

The Owl is depicted as wise, a night traveller, quiet, aloof and majestic. Are those the main reasons for the blatant character assassinations? It wonders!

The Owl trust that, since it is always around the Pigeon (Pura), a friendly and approachable bird. Enquiring from the good friend as to whether the accusations people make are valid or remotely true become a pressing issue.

The Owl asked, "Mr Pigeon, people accused me of being a witch, and I know it is not true, but what do you think?"

The Pigeon looked around and retort to the Owl, "well, are you facing me or is your back toward me?" 

The Owl said, "I am facing you". The Pigeon responded with a big surprise for the Owl "Well, the people are correct you are a witch." 

The Owl couldn't understand, "I am harmless and wise, why associate me to wickedness and bloodthirsty?"

 Yet the Pigeon like other accusers base their suspicions on the strangeness of the Owl, the wide eye, creepy looks and loner mannerism. 

And so the legend continues, those accused of beings witches are usually ugly looking grandmas, who are very poor and lacking extended family support. Especially if the old granny has perturbing eyes and slight facial hair. 

Lesson: Avoid suspicions and fear base accusation without proof.

(A Mandinka folklore, don't Judge by looks. The nicest looking person can the most evil.)

My short remarks on Falai Baldeh

In the eye of the blind, the one eye man is a giant. My Uncle Falai fell in a trap of the dis-honourables. Let us be gentle with him.
Falai Baldeh fell in a trap, set by the 'peace maker' Modou Njai.
Modou Njai's motives are scanty and unclear, however he seems to be putting the regime of dictator Jammeh in a favourable light.
People should take it easy with Falai. We need to see this struggle as a battle field. When the going get tough, we will occasionally attack each other, scream, haul insults and abuses, Sometimes, individual jealousy and unfulfilled expectations will get the better of people. But when it is all said and done, the struggle is full with honourable Gambians both at home and in diaspora.
Modou Njai is playing a very dangerous game. No one can make peace with someone who has no interest to change for the better. Therefore, entrapping vulnerable members of the Gambian activist force will backfire in the long run for Modou Njai. Falai is disputing some of the things in the propaganda statement written by the 'Lt Col Sam Sarr' Yahya Jammeh's new tactician.

We have all been label as one thing or the other, behind our backs, worst statements are made. But let us remember our humanity, no one is perfect. However, the Gambia means everything to us, and those suffering and losing their jobs needlessly are the driving force. That was/is Falai's driving force.
I hope others who may intend to capitulate remember the pains and tears of the widows, orphans, refugees in Senegal and else where, those disabled by gun shots and the many folks killed in suspicious circumstances.
One cannot be unique if one refuse to confront evil. All great men and women in history refuse to accept evil and injustices. Modou Njai, thanks for causing havoc and pain in the life of a one time hero, Uncle Falai Baldeh.

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My trip to Geneva with Yaya Dampha

http://www.kaironews.com/editorial/humras-geneva-trip-a-success/
We enjoyed the trip, visited important U.N offices and also pro-democracy groups. My thanks to our host and all the Gambian residents of Geneva city.

My interview with RFI Daniel Finnan

I spoke to RFI on the cigarette smuggling ring in Gambian embassy London
https://soundcloud.com/radiofranceinternationale/gambian-ambassador-must-have-known-about-tax-dodging-tobacco-scam-at-embassy-says-opposition

Oustass Bakawsu Fofana on The Importance of Marabouts

Post by Alieu Sanyang.

No Wig day for African sisters, a needed campaign

Whilst preparing for tomorrow's U.K local government finance conference, I cannot but express a deep and profound disappointment and betrayal on behalf of the Gambian male fraternity. Amean, we use to say, 'never propose to a lady on festival and celebration day' because the sisters will look totally different from their usual self. Lo and behold, our sisters are in mask twenty four hours now. The no make up day is actually telling us, we are now truly in cosmetic world, real simple beauty is gone.
Now let us be even radical and say, 'a total natural day, no make up, no wig, no nail extension, no artificial anything.'
Bring it on...natural African hair day, no hair extension bull crap. Pata PJ will you back me in the no hair extension day, no wig, no Brazilian hair, no maize, no anybody hair...be radical bro and back me. I know a lot of brothers will avoid the subject.