I stand with the Gambia youth who
are demanding for the State to provide them with uninterrupted electricity and
water supply. The above movement is democratic and constitutional as per the “right
of freedom of speech and expression” and “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.
The Gambia youth have the right
to organize peaceful demonstration or to take part in meetings in a peaceful
way as per the laws of the land. It is also the duty of the states not only
have an obligation to protect peaceful protesters, but should also take
measures to facilitate them too.
I believe that peaceful protest
is the most effective way to make a change. When it comes down to it all the
people who were the most known for protesting like Edward Francis Small, Martin
Luther King, Gandhi, Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela. None of these leaders
used violence. They used their words and knowledge and got their point across
and changed the world.
Under international law, the
right to freedom of peaceful assembly is not a crime as many narrow minded reason.
The State should not limit this right for certain groups based on sex, tribe,
religion, political affiliation, status or other opinion.
In a democratic State it is the
duty of the State to provide basic needs such as water and electricity to her
citizens. The President is not fair to us at all. His family is enjoying the
24hrs uninterrupted supply of electricity and water. Whiles us the voters our
families are suffering beyond all human survival.
Peaceful protest is the most
effective way to bring about change. Just look what Martin Luther King Jr did.
He led protest in the south and he earned legislations respect. They were
willing to hear what he had to say unlike Malcolm X, since the government
considered him a criminal.
Such a thing is a sign of bad
leadership at the peak, leadership is the ability to protect and provide your
citizens with their basic needs. Availability of basic needs such as water and
electricity are a violation of human right.
Electricity is very vital in our daily
lives, the patients who are getting their treatment in different hospitals also
face many difficulties as per NAWEC inability to supply electricity to the
citizenry. The patients operations are not happening on time as the electricity
is moving on and off like a rocket. This increases their diseases as the fans
of the hospital are not moving which result to the patients feel great pain in
their body.
The events of theft are
increasing in the new Gambia. The thieves get chances of stealing in the
darkness of night created because of the breakdown of electricity by NAWEC. So
there is a kind of fear among people in The Gambia.
Many businesses are compelled
stop their working for inadequate supply of electricity and water and,
therefore suffer a great loss of business. Students suffer heavily and cannot
study which might affect their performance as this irregularity in electric
supply is causing obstacles in their daily preparation.
This year is extremely hot and
the old people are facing difficulties to tackle the problem. The problems of current electricity supply
also lead to some other illegal activities to take place beyond all human
imagination.
I challenge the Gambia youth to
come out in their thousands with candles to light them up and occupy Westfield.
The Gambia belongs to us The Gambians both those home and abroad. Our today’s
action will have an impact in our future. Therefore let’s speak as in speaking
we shall be heard.
By: Saidina Alieu Jarjou
Political Activist
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