Thursday 27 July 2017

OPEN LETTER TO HONORABLE SAIKUBA JARJU, BUSUMBALA CONSTITUENCY MP.

You’re Honorable Sir,
I would like to extend congratulations on your impressive victory in election to the House of Parliament. I am delighted that you will continue to work for the good of the people of your constituency and of all Gambians as you perform the duties of the Member of Parliament of the Gambia. I sincerely congratulate you and send my best wishes for your every success and wisdom in discharging the important and responsible duties of your position.
I am confident that the trust placed in you by the people of Busumbala constituency will inspire you to continue important efforts in promoting the unity of our region, leading it on the path of prosperity, further well-being and security for our people.
The wide-ranging security, political and economic challenges that our constituency faces can be overcome only if we stand united in the search for solutions. We are very pleased that with our effort we will protect the interests of our citizens and seek long-term goals working together in the parliament, pursuing bilateral dialogue and expanding people-to-people contacts.
I strongly hope that in the coming months our people will explore and develop many new exciting initiatives in culture, education, science, and innovation. It will not only strengthen the bonds of friendship between APRC, UDP, PDIOS, NRP, GDC, GMC and PPP, but will also enhance unity, mutual understanding and prosperity across the country.
In another note please be informed that I am part of your constituency, therefore you don’t have enough time to rest neither to sleep. As I will not give you a single opportunity or a chance to led us astray, as my consent will not allow me to zip my mouth.
Politics is over let’s heal the wounds and work together for a better Gambia. The Gambia belongs to us The Gambians both those home and abroad.

I am sure that you would do what you have said in your campaign and the people of the constituency has lot of hopes that you would provide them the best facility they have ever had. Your selection itself shows how much the people love and trust you. You had worked hard for this and they appreciated it.
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 politicians can successfully bring us the long sought dividend of democracy.
I wish you a successful tenure and hope that your hard work bring you higher responsibilities and position in your political career.
Please accept, Your Honorable, the assurances of my highest consideration!!

Saidina Alieu Jarjou
Activist/Blogger


CASSAMANCE THE UNTOLD STORY (Part.7)

Throughout 2002, MFDC gunmen or suspected MFDC gunmen committed numerous killings. For example, in March 2002 suspected MFDC insurgents attacked a group of civilian vehicles 4 kilometers from the town of Diouloulou, near the Gambian border in the Bignona region of the Casamance and killed seven civilians and wounded four. In a government military sweep following this attack, the military killed several suspected MFDC insurgents, although exact figures were not available. In October 2002 suspected MFDC gunmen opened fire on a taxi in Diabang killing three civilian passengers. Military authorities in the Casamance region made an effort during 2002 to reduce the number of human rights abuses committed by security forces under their command, and human rights NGOs confirmed that there were significantly fewer complaints of arbitrary arrests, lengthy detention, and abuse during detention; however, there were no statistics available at year's end. At times, usually during sweeps for MFDC rebels, the security forces temporarily restricted access to the Casamance region or areas within it. The security forces also regularly maintained checkpoints in the Ziguinchor region to screen for MFDC rebels and arms transports. Security forces generally allowed travelers to proceed after checking documents and searching vehicles.
According to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), during the first 2 weeks of May 2002, approximately 2,000 civilians fled the country to the Gambia following clashes between government security forces and MFDC rebels in the Bignona area of northwestern Casamance. The UNHCR reported that 70 percent of these refugees returned to their villages by early June 2002. The numbers of refugees outside the country fluctuated according to the level of violence in the Casamance region; at year's end, it was estimated that several thousand refugees remained outside the country, mostly in the Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. A UNHCR census in January 2002 counted 7,000 Senegalese refugees living in the north of Guinea-Bissau.
As of 2002 Secretary-general of the MFDC Augustin Diamacoune Senghor was estimated to have some 2,300 troops under his command.
On 26 May 2003 separatist rebels in Casamance announced the death of Sidi Badji, a hardline leader who had held out against any compromise with the government on Dakar. The Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) has confirmed the death of Badji at the age of about 83. Despite his advancing years, Badji had remained, at least nominally, the head of the MFDC's military wing and commander-in-chief of its guerrilla army. Badji and his supporters opposed the softer line taken by MFDC's veteran President, Augustin Diamacoune Senghor, a Roman Catholic priest who had shown a willingness to settle for a modest degree of autonomy for Casamance. Over the past two years there had been a concerted campaign by local non-governmental organisations and other would-be peacemakers to improve relations between Diamacoune and Badji and to send an unequivocal message of peace to MFDC combatants in the bush.

For the first time in a number of years, by January 2004 there were reasonable expectations for peace in the Casamance, as a result of calls for peace from MFDC members at their annual conference in October 2003. The Government of Senegal and one of the three armed groups agreed to a timeline for pacifying the northern part of the Casamance between Gambia and the city of Ziguinchor. The government is also accelerating efforts to re-establish "normal" economic and social life to provide an alternative to the rebellion. In addition to the prolonged insurgency, armed bandits and landmines present a threat in rural areas.

Up to 15,000 displaced people awere expected to return to their home villages in Senegal's southern Casamance province during 2004 as a low-level insurgency that had gone on for two decades petered out, but little was being done by the international community to assist them. In January 2004 Refugees International said over 50,000 people had been displaced from their homes as a result of a rebellion by separatist guerillas in the narrrow strip of swampy forested land bounded to the north by Gambia and to the south by Guinea-Bissau. Refugees International said in a statement that the Association of Young Farmers in Casamance (AJAC APREN) expected 10,000 to 15,000 displaced people to return to their home villages in 2004.
To be continued…………

By: Saidina Alieu Jarjou
Blogger/ Activist



Monday 24 July 2017

Open Letter to Max Jones


“Hahaha Folks the Famous Edward Carayol has been tracked and identify as Prince Almamy Jemes Manga a aserving police officer who is disgruntle for some reasons and he is now going after President Barrow government, and he is not sparing Uncle Ousainou  Darboe and Mai Fatty daily. Prince Alamameh James Manga get prepared the war will have to kick of”

I was very staggered, flabbergasted, bowled over, perturbed and provoked beyond all human endurance, when I saw a nasty, hateful, malicious, malevolent post by Max Jones with the bad intention of tarnishing the image of one of the Gambia’s youngest and finest Police Officer who doubles as a peace activist too.

Max you’re this aforesaid immortality post of accusation is a hateful fabrication of huge lies and dislike at the highest level on top of mountain Kilimanjaro, mathematically calculated erroneously with the plan of ruining and undermining the status of Prince. Max are we in the area of character assassination?
 
Max your this aforesaid evil, wicked post, was a malicious mixture of offensive mammoth lies, hatred, deep-rooted academic and intellectual jealousy, designed and projected to portray Prince in bad light, and to nastily wipe out the dignity and impeccable integrity he is known for.
You have been using the opportunity of the mouse and the keyboard to lambast, attack, stick a knife into innocent people beyond all human survival. I will advise you to utilize the opportunity well as such will not take you any were.

As per the case of the alleged so-called “Edward Carayol’ I will not be surprised if you are not the same person using the fake, bogus account since your second name is Mr. Fake. I rather be a friend  with King Lion of Amazon forest that you. Max you are a threat to world peace and the greatest enemy of humanity ever to lived on earth. May God in heaven never give use a zombie like you. Amen!

In fact you have the audacity to add hatred on our noble, splendid Police institution. How can a member of our Gambia Police Force used the said decadence fake profile “ Edward Carayol” and now it seems that Edward Carayol has closed the account, which by all indication, is geared towards giving the impression that it is Manga who now closed the account because of your childish, silly idiocy and ridiculousness untold behavior.

Presumption of innocence is under Section 24(3) A of the constitution. For your information Mr. Manga is serving this country of ours with sincerity, honesty, integrity, passion, courage and above all love for his country.

Please be informed that Prince is clearly exercising his constitutional  “right of freedom of speech and expression” and his “right of academic freedom”, which are expressly guaranteed by Section 25 (1)(A) and Section 25(1)(B) respectively, of The Gambia’s 1997 Constitution.

Max to my surprised you had the guts, backbone, and the moral fiber to accuse Prince as a disgruntle officer. This saw how academically raw, crude and evil you are since you are hiding yourself on a fake Face Book profile. Let me remind you that the cowards are those who hide their identity. Since you are praying for war I pray to God that may he discharge thunder and lightning on your stomach.
In December when things were tough and rough Almameh was among the young brave officers who stood up and requested for Yahya Jammeh to step down. Where were you then?

Peace is very important that one need to embrace and manage properly rather that encouraging and preaching hatred extreme dislike.

Max finally I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the religion of Islam and Christianity as per the teaching of the two holy books.

“We have appointed a law and a practice for every one of you. Had God willed, He would have made you a single community, but He wanted to test you regarding what has come to you. So compete with each other in doing well. Every one of you will return to God and He will inform you regarding the things about which you differed.” (Surat al-Ma’ida, 48)

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)

Thank you
By: Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Blogger/ Activist

Tuesday 18 July 2017

Foni Is Not The Problem!!


The people who prevailed on Former President to subvert the will of the Gambian people are the problem. And these people should be never allowed at any cost to come near to the corridor of authority again in our new Gambia.

But sometimes I feel irritated, annoyed, and disturbed beyond all human race when folk’s point fingers to the Fonika’s and look straight in to their eyes and say to them that they don’t accept the will of God. This aforesaid, immorality statement is mathematically calculated wrongly with the intention and purpose of placing Foni at a bad viewpoint of light. Some do go extra miles using their position and ignorance to get the wrong impression about Foni at a bad light in order for the region to attract the attention of the media both national and international.

When Sir. Dawda Jawara was in power he never lost to Foni in any of the election being parliamentary and presidential. If we are to go by the statement that all Gambian’s have to support the Barrow lead administration, then it means we are trying to inculcate dictatorship in to the mind of the unborn generation of the new Gambia. The days of dictatorship are gone let’s embrace our newly born democracy.

If all had supported Yahya Jammeh then he will have still being in power. But we said no enough is enough we need to taste a different flavor which lead to his parking to Equatorial Guinea. It is not a crime neither unconstitutional to support a particular official registered political party under the laws of our dear mother land.

It is practically impossible for all Gambian’s to accept Barrow now, despite emerging the winner and being the president too. This will take time; it will be a gradually process with time things shall work well.

Barrow is the president which none of the Fonika’s denied therefore he have to engage Fonika’s for them to fell that yes we are recognized by the barrow lead administration. But if they are marginalized they will fell that they are not part and parcel of the new Gambia. The Gambia belongs to The Gambian’s both those home and abroad. In rebuilding a new Gambia we dream all regions need to be represented well and treated equally despite of our political ideology. In a place where trust does not exist, love, respect and solidarity are also absent. The lack of trust destroys family, country, as well as social, cultural, and economic life.

One cannot use Foni to prevail the hearts of the new leadership with the excuse of cajoling for peace. We the sons and daughters of Foni can sort out any issue amongst ourselves in the spirits of one Gambia and One Family and One People. In fact, there is no problem in Foni as most narrow minded think and want it to look like. Foni should not and cannot be a prolific ground for anyone to rejuvenate his or her political ambitions. We the Fonika’s are not sleeping and shall continue to rebrand the name of Foni in a white light as far beyond mountain Kilimanjaro.

We the Fonika’s will take the lead and government must recognize that. Strangers cannot be talking to our people as if we the Foninka’s do not have what it takes to resolve whatever misconceptions or perceptions that exist.

Peace is very important that need to be embraced by all and sundry without peace we cannot achieve our desire aims and objective. In the Qur'an, it is recommended to cease disagreements by peace and not to commence further disputes, fights, confusion, and discord; in addition, people are asked to take a balanced approach and seek justice (Qur'an, 8:1; 49:9–10). It is forbidden to spoil peace and tranquility by corruption; there are penalties for those who do. It is possible to apply the verse; Peace is better (Qur'an, 4:128) which was specifically revealed to eradicate disagreements between couples, to all kinds of human relations. Islam recommends a united and mutually helpful society, and this vision does not only refer to the level of nation, but includes international relations, too. In this sense, from an Islamic perspective, international law should take the establishment of peace as a foundation.
 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:14-15 14).

I can’t comprehend, understand, have a handle on why Folks are trying to make name about the issue. We the son's of Foni will short  our own problem if need be since we are people of one voice!!

I am a proud Fonika a big one for that matter and shall continue to fight and wipe out any injustice that can hinder the attainment of peace in the smiling coast of Africa.

By: Saidina Alieu Jarjou
Activist/ Blogger

prof.jarjou@gmail.com


Monday 10 July 2017

Let “Imam” Bakawsu Fofana Preach Peace Or Close His Oral Cavity!!


I was disappointed, upset, disenchanted, provoked, annoyed as per “Imam” Bakawsu Fofana’s recent sermon in which he took upon himself to lambast, attack, stick a knife into the noble Jola tribe beyond all human endeavor. People who live with the Jola’s will attest to the fact that they are peace loving tribe.

In another development he Bakawsu has the guts to inculcate the sleeping tribalist dog which is a threat to The Gambia’s Peace. Bakawsu I don’t have a problem with you as a being, but I have a problem with your extremist views. Please for God in heaven sake I will advise you to either be an Imam or a Politician in a professional manner.

When Sister Binta Goudiaby lambast the Noble Mandinka tribe, I condemned her nasty, fitly, stinky behavior forth with, which can be accessed via (http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/opinion-open-letter-to-sister-binta-goudiaby). Therefore I will not waste any time to condemn such an unethical tribalist behavior from any one which can sake the peace we are enjoying in The Gambia under the leadership of President Adama Barrow.

We cannot live happily, gleefully and contentedly  without the absent of peace therefore if you have problem with Yahya Jammeh kindly direct your grievance straight to him and stop including the whole Jola tribe. The Jola’s are innocent as Jammeh was not representing them neither was sent by the Jola’s to do so.

It is arguable that the negative effects of tribalism permeate all African countries. Millions have been killed, maimed or displaced in civil wars in sub-Sahara Africa over the past 50 years, mostly because of tribal agitation. Most of us are living witnesses to the carnage that occurred in Rwanda and is still going on in Somalia. These countries have fallen into the abyss mainly because of tribalism. (The Point, 2010).

How would Oustass Bun Jeng feel if he were to arise and hear your tribalist sermons against Jolas?
How would Sheikh Gibril Kujabi feel if he is to arise and see his own student he taught preaching tribalism in the smilling coast of Africa?

Tribal sermons can bring conflict if not properly managed especially if mathematically calculated wrongly. Tribalists think and preach that the men and women of their tribe or ethnic group are superior to others, and that as a result the others should serve and obey them. They try to impose the hegemony, the predominance of their tribes. Tribalist ideas and feeling are used most often to create a clientele who can help them to satisfy their selfish interests and ambitions.

You as a “Imam” you could have play a significant role in ensuring peace and stability in our dear mother land on the reconciliation processes.

One has to understand that Gambian’s are intermarried and we are all one that no one has control over. Like in my case My Mum is a Mandink while My Dad is a Jola. I don’t consider myself based on tribe but as a Gambian.  Therefore one has to preach peace always!!

The word “Islam” is derived from the word meaning “peace” in Arabic. Islam is a religion revealed to mankind with the intention of presenting a peaceful life where the infinite compassion and mercy of God manifests on earth. God calls all people to live by the moral values He sets so that compassion, mercy, peace and love can be experienced all over the world.

“O You who believe! Enter absolutely into peace (Islam). Do not follow in the footsteps of satan. He is an outright enemy to you.” (Holy Quran: 2, 208)

The Quran provides an environment where people can fully enjoy freedom of thought and freedom of religion and allows people to live by the faith and values they believe in. According to Islam, everyone has the right to live freely by his beliefs, whatever they may be. Anyone who wants to support a church, a synagogue or a mosque must be free to do so. In this sense, freedom of religion, or freedom of belief, is one of the basic tenets of Islam. There is always freedom of religion wherever the moral values of the Qur’an prevail.

That is why Muslims also treat Jews and Christians, described in the Qur’an as “the People of the Book,” with great justice, love and compassion. God says in the Qur’an:
“God does not forbid you from being good to those who have not fought you in the religion or driven you from your homes, or from being just towards them. God loves those who are just.” (Surat al-Mumtahana, 8).

The Holy bible also mentioned  about peace too in many pages. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. (Isaiah 55:12)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace. (Psalm 37:37)
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (Romans 14:19)

While all religions call for love, peace, tolerance, freedom of belief and mutual understanding, some extremists commit acts of violence in the name of religion and consider themselves religious. They commit a gross sin by, saying, “we found our parents doing this, and God has commanded us to do it.” God never advocates sin.

“People who sow seeds of discord by preaching tribalism, racism and religious misunderstanding should find another place to go.” They don’t deserve to live with us at all and they are a threat to peace”.
By. Saidina Alieu Jarjou
Blogger/ Activist

Is That The Gambia We Dream?


When I think of The Gambia the smiling coast of Africa so many question come to my mind such as.

Where are we heading to?

Is that Democracy?

Are we in the era of constitutional hijack and coup?

Are we in the era of selective justice?

Are the youth well informed?

Is that The Gambia we want to see where folks are treated based on their loyalty to a political party?

In rebuilding a new Gambia we want to live for our children’s, all hands should be on desk despite of our political differences and ideology. Therefore The Gambia first before any other thing else. The Gambia is small in size when looked at the world map but believe you in me her people have gigantic brains and minds.


Previously,  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 some civilians sustaining injures some 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 gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen!

If Edward Francis Small were to arise from the grave yard and witness the killing of innocent protesters. How will he fell? He will be disappointed to see such in The Gambia he dream where one day will be the last place of peace on earth.

The Faroto folks also demonstrated which ended to riot and resulted to the burning of cars owned by individuals but known were shot with a life bullet neither a tear gas was used unlike what was done to the people of Kanilai and environs.

Brother Baboucarr Sey once organized a press conference and a peaceful demonstration which lead to his arrest and detention.

In Bakau the Police were also being attacked by the angry, irritated youth as a result of arresting the drug dealers. The Police are not enemy to any one since you are innocent you can live with them peacefully without fear. They are maintaining peace and order to make The Gambia the heaven of peace. The question one might ask will be how on earth should one fight a Police Officer who is executing his/her task as per the constitution of the land?


Of recent the most madness, psychosis, stupidity, foolhardiness occurred when angry folks register their total dissatisfaction through dumping the collected waste at the Mayor’s office. This attitude is on Gambian, undemocratic mathematically calculated and wrongly executed.

The Mayor’s office is not own by him neither me no you it is owned by all Gambians. Dialogue is very important since it create the room,   space and the opportunity to reach peace. This reminds me of the former American president John F. Kennedy when he said “Never fear to negotiate and never negotiate out of fear”.

NEA is this malicious attitude not a violation of anti littering? If yes then the victims should be arrested and face justice as per the laws of our dear mother land.


The other question one might ask will be since the Bakoteh dumpsite is temporary closed where will be the waste placed? When the place was closed was another option given?

Registering grievance through conflict, inconsistency and violence will not solve an issue. The people of serrekunda voted Mr. Yankuba Kolley through the democratically ballot box. Therefore if he is not meeting up their demands as per promised during campaign. Let them vote him out through the same ballot box or through the formal constitutional procedure as per the local government act.


To my surprise there was a bitter confrontation between the PIU. Officers and the people of Bakoteh, but none were shot with a life bullet neither ECOMIG forces intervened. Rule for one rule for all should be our motto in life in ensuring peace.

President Barrow cannot do it all therefore through collectivism we can achieve his great philosophy dream “one Gambia, one people and one nation”.

Finally I wish to inform all that I will never and shall by no means write as anonymous and shall continue to fight to ensure peace and stability and the injustice for the voiceless as far beyond mountain Kilimanjaro. If need be to cross the red sea I will do so!!


God save The Gambia. Amen……

By: Saidina Alieu Jarjou
Blogger/ Activist

Re: Jola Political Leaders Must Stop Using Foni For Political Expediency


The content of your response is well noted. Please be informed that you are a threat to the society and world peace at large. Since you don’t disclose your identity, if you really believe in what you are saying kindly disclose the lost identity of yours in order to respond to your PhD questionnaire in detail.

Secondly, two wrongs’ cannot make a right. I ‘am quite sure that your IQ is below 0.1% since the dimension of your response is encouraging and preaching tribalism. Your caption really defines who you are. Max you are academically and emotionally raw and crude, to an extend that you cannot even distinguish between “in and from”. From Foni doesn’t mean that one is born in Foni.

Thirdly, my write-up was a vacant cap which I ‘am sure its fits you since I was addressing people like you Mr / Miss / Mrs. Max that is why you wore it. I came across a lot of your indecent write-ups against Jola’s, but I said to myself no need to respond to a Zombie like you because you lack understanding.  I will advise you to remove the cap from your narrow minded head in order not to undermine neither to poison the minds of our unborn generation. May God in haven never do that, Amen!!

To come down to your level let me take you for a short marathon. It is arguable that the negative effects of tribalism permeate all African countries. Millions have been killed, maimed or displaced in civil wars in sub-Sahara Africa over the past 50 years, mostly because of tribal agitation. Most of us are living witnesses to the carnage that occurred in Rwanda and is still going on in Somalia. These countries have fallen into the abyss mainly because of tribalism.
Tribalism in Africa has been a major stumbling block to democracy as well as socio-economic development. It affects every sphere of development, from social economic, political to educational spheres. In political spheres, tribalism persists since it provides an avenue via which state goodies and favors trickle down from those in power to their tribesmen.

In Kenya, the regime of Daniel Arap Moi took over power apparently to ensure the revenge of the Kalenjin ethnic group over the long predominance or alleged predominance of the Kikuyu. Logically, therefore, the security and safety of individuals in key positions of the regime rely on staying in power.

In Ethiopia, the regime of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), spearheaded by the Tigrean Liberation Front (TPLF) and directed by Mr. Meles Zenawi, controlled central power ten years ago evidently with the intention of ensuring the predominance of Tigrean or other non-Amahara interests over the alleged predominance of the Amhara ruling class.


In 1964, the alleged “Arab dominance” in Zanzibar was revenged by a revolutionary seizure of Arab properties by the “Africans”. The rivalries between Igbo and non-Igbo groups in Port Harcourt, between Yoruba and Hausa in Ibadan (Nigeria) and other similar occurrences in the Congo Leopoldville, Rwanda, Burundi and others signify not ethnic conflicts per se but just sheer power struggles for the control of either major resources (wealth) or political power or both, by certain groups playing the ethnic card. (See H. Wolpe, Urban Politics in Nigeria).

Finally, have I ever mentioned to you that I ‘am / was a political leader? Your aforesaid immorality response was a hateful fabrication of intolerable huge falsehood, extreme dislike, deep-rooted academic and intellectual dishonesty, mathematically calculated wrongly and intended to portray the decent piece of mine “God Save The Gambia” in bad light, and to maliciously destroy the dignity and impeccable integrity, which I ‘am known for.

Mr / Miss / Mrs. Max since you are the proprietor and the founding father of tribalism, I will advise you to find another place to go as far as Mars, you don’t deserve to be with us!!

Thank you…

By: Saidina Alieu Jarjou