Kanilai bigot the
unusual as a bitter confrontation between the peaceful protesters and
Senegalise soldiers at the entrance of the village letting to blood shell.
Resident of the rural settlement and the Foni environs demanding the immediate
evacuation of both the Gambian and Senegalese soldiers in Kanilai.
The protesters were
shot on their route to Kanfenda resulting to 5 civilians sustaining injures 3
were said to be in critical condition and one fatal, by the name Mr. Haruna Jatta
as a result of gunshot . Who was laid to rest on the 06th June, 2017
in his native village Kanilai. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Ameem!!.
It was narrated that
the ECOMIG soldiers from Senegal were informed to shoot the protesters as they
are rebels from Cassamance? If that is true then it is complete idiocy to allow
any nation, regardless of the external generosity to fight their enemy within
your land, and knowing very well and with supreme belief that the aftermath can
be life threatening.
The narrow minded would
say “who cares” its Jammeh’s home this issue is not a Jammeh’s issue neither Kanilai
issue nor Foni issue. It is a national issue despite of our political
differences because any weapon that is aimed at the Senegalese is a potential
harm to our mother land.
The Casamance Conflict
is a low-level conflict that has been waged between the Government of Senegal
and the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) since 1982. If the Senegalese
are really serious to end the conflict in Cassamance, the barrel of the gun is
not the solution to end the situation. It is through dialogue that the
situation can be remedy.
The intolerance and
lack of respect for one another among Africans combined to invite trouble in
Africa. Africans are killing each other and destroying the continent's
resources all because of these leaders' power hunger. It is enough to mention
the gun rule and slaughtering of people in Liberia and Sierra Leone, and
killing of innocent civilians in Cassamance (southern Senegal) among others.
These indicate that African leaders are themselves responsible for Africa's
underdevelopment and political mayhem. With this era of political ignorance and
naivety occupying Africa, there is more than ever need for a continent, indeed
a world, without leaders or political borders.
Many will asked this
question. Why the heavy deployment of soldiers in one part of the country
concisely Foni stuck in the minds of most Gambians?
To protest again
external forces is not a crime as it happened in Congo, Haiti and many more,
but the protesters were not shot to death.
In Senegal we learnt
that the number of protest occurred is uncountable but none of the protesters were
shot to death with a life bullet. All what they will do is to use tear gas,
rubber bullet and hot water. But why on the Fonika’s?
Also if protesters were
armed and with weapons, how came only civilians were injured and killed?
Secondly the Fonika’s are not the Zulu tribe of South Africa who move and sleep
with traditional weapons.
The question one might ask
will be why the ECOMIG forces whose purpose is to maintain peace and stability in
the country should fire a single bullet neither to shoot protesters.
To resolve the
political violence, accountability, social, justice, transparency rule of law,
gender equality and due process must guide governance and leadership in The
Gambia.
The real trick to good
governance is to place the needs of the masses above everything else; to lead
not just with words but with action. Actions define priorities. It’s the only
way the Barrow administration can successfully bring us the long sought
dividend of democracy.
Electoral reforms must also
include other things such as mass education through the national council for
civic education.
The authorities should
be frequently talking to the nation, visiting places and respond to people
concern. You cannot run a government or public institution as your property;
rules and regulation of leadership should be followed to minimize defects.
The ministry of
interior as part of its responsibilities but not limited to responsible for the
Gambia Department of Immigration, visas, the Police Force, running the Prison
Service and registering NGOs. Should also place a surveillance to detect crimes
and conflict before occurring.
In rebuilding a new
Gambia we want. Policies should be re-written and all criminals despite of
their political party, tribe, religion and position should be treated equally
in front of the laws of the land. As per our national anthem “let justice guide
our action towards the common goal”
To be continued…
BY.
SAIDINA ALIEU JARJOU
Blogger/Activist
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