It is a big disappointment to learn that President Barrow
visited Foni, Sibanor as part of reconciliation efforts where he met the traditional
and Community leaders as if Foni is the Gambia’s problem. There will be no
reconciliation when parts of the population is labelled as anti-government as a
result of their tribe, culture, political ideology and geographical area.
Previously Kanilai bigot the unusual as a bitter
confrontation between the peaceful protesters and Senegalese soldiers at the
entrance of the village letting to bloodshed. Residents of the rural settlement
and the Foni environs demanded the immediate evacuation of both the Gambian and
Senegalese soldiers in Kanilai. The protesters were shot on their route to
Kanfenda leading to some civilians sustaining injuries and death of one
civilian by name Mr. Haruna Jatta who was later laid to rest on the 6th
June, 2017.
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.
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. In Senegal the last time I checked the number of
protest occurred is uncountable but none of the protesters were shot to death
with a life bullet. But why on the Fonika’s? Also if protesters were armed with
weapons as claimed by the then minister of Interior Mai Fatty. How come only
civilians were injured and killed?
The question on might
be quick to ask shall be why should it took Barrow for one year to visit foni
after all calamity that took place. Barrow
is the president which none of the Fonika’s denied. The Gambia belongs to The
Gambian’s both those home and abroad. Therefore In rebuilding a new Gambia we all
dream all regions need to be represented well and treated equally despite of
political ideology. In a place where trust does not exist, love, respect and
solidarity are also absent. The lack of trust destroys families, country, as
well as social, cultural, and economic life.
The Faroto folks also demonstrated which ended to riot and
resulted to the burning of cars owned by individuals. In Bakau the Police were
also being attacked by the angry, irritated youth as a result of arresting the
drug dealers. There was another bitter confrontation between the Police Intervention
Unit Officers (PIU) and the people of Bakoteh which ended of dumping the
collected waste at the Mayor’s office in Kanifing but to my surprise none were
shot with a life bullet neither a tear gas was used unlike what was done to the
people of Foni.
Barrow need to know that Foni is not the problem but the
people who prevailed on Former President to subvert the will of the Gambian
people are the problem. And those people should never be allowed at any cost to
come near to the corridor of authority again.
One cannot use Foni to prevail 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, 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 for better. We 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 all what it takes to resolve whatever
misconceptions or perceptions that exist.
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 lead administration can
successfully bring us the long sought dividend of democracy.
Saidina Alieu Jarjou
Political Activist
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