Casamance The Untold Story (Part.10)

In 1907, Galandou Diouf was the first African Originaire elected as Legislator Councilor in Rufisque. In 1914 Blaise Diagne, also an Originaire became the first African to win a seat at the French National Assembly. Diagne subsequently became the most important politician in the four communes. He worked to gain full voting right for the Originaires in 1916. At Diagne's death in 1934, Galandou Diouf succeeded him in the French Assembly. Lamine Gueye, the last Originaire politician in Senegal, replaced him during World War II.

In 1946 Gueye gained voting rights for all African subjects in Senegal, equalizing their status with that of the Originaires. With the Independence of Senegal in 1960, the special rights awarded to the inhabitants of the Four Communes were permanently abolished. (Encyclopedia of African History).

The policy of assimilation was promoted vigorously in the Four Communes of Senegal. The African inhabitants of the Four Communes, called the Originaires, had the status of French citizens and thus were unlike other African inhabitants, who were subjects of the French empire and controlled by the Code de l’Indigénat or the Colonial penal code.

On Christmas day 25th December 1982, there was a mass demonstration by MFDC led by one Alieu Ceesay Badjie, a retired military sergeant from Thionk Ecile, and Salif Sadio of Kartiath calling for the independence of Casamance whose population is religiously and ethnically distinct from the rest of Senegal.

At the time of the demonstration Diamacoune was not in attendance and when the leader of the movement Alieu Ceesay Badjie was shot and killed by the Senegalese security forces, the rest of the revolutionaries ran into the bush and regrouped in the border along Guinea Bissau and Salif Sadio became the Commander in Chief of MFDC.

Diamacoune Senghore did not take part in the said demonstration but he later managed to established contact with the revolutionaries in the bush whose aim was to liberate Casamance for independence. The composition of the armed separatist movement has the hallmarks of an ethnic conflict given fact that the separatists are mainly from the Jola ethnic in a region which is comprised of multiple ethnic groups. This can be attributable to the fact that the Jolas are the dominant group in Casamance and yet the most marginalized, but it also points to the fact that there was no broad consensus in the so-called claim for independence among the various ethnic group and even within the Jola ethnic group there was no broad support and therefore the armed separatists resort to terrorizing communities that do not support them. The deliberate attack on non-Jolas especially Wollof of the North also contributed to the dwindling support among the population of Casamance.

The movement also got support from the Guinea Military top brass some of whom were engaged in illicit drug trafficking. The MFDC support the former Guinean Chief of Staff, General Ansumana Mane during the power struggle which ousted President Nino Vierra and brought Anusmana Manneh to power.

The assassination of General Ansumana Mane by Kumba Yalla marked a turning point in support and sustenance of the MFDC because Kumba Yalla drove the movement out of their base in Guinea Bissau. This weakened the movement and divided the MFDC into small faction scattered in mainly the borders of The Gambia and some still at the Bissau border.

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Blogger/Political Activist

Casamance The Untold Story (Part.9)

Historically the Casamance region has a diverse colonial heritage due to the Portuguese, French and the English control for over 200 years. The region was a Portuguese colony until 1866 when control of the territory was ceded on the British in exchange of the territory.

Portugal originally colonized the region including Guinea Bissau in the 17th century and subsequently gave the Casamance to France during the Congress of Berlin negotiation in 1886. The British then assumed control of the region shortly but finally ceded the region to the French. The Casamance region has since then become a French colony until Senegal attained independence on 4th of April 1960.

The Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) was formed on May 7th, 1947 by four revolutionaries; Ebrima Diallo and Edward Diallo of Kolda, Emil Badian of Bingiona and Edward Diatta of Oussouye. The main objective of the MFDC then was recognized as a party in the Senegalese independence movement.

Readers could recall that; during the French colonial rule in Senegal only four regions were allowed to nominate/elect representatives to the French parliament and this regions were Saint Luis, Gore, Dakar and Rufisque. The deputies were; Galandou Diouf, Blaisse Diane and Lamin Gaye whom all came from these four stated regions.

Leopold Sedar Senghor

‘’Leopold Sedar Senghor a prominent Senegalese scholar who was brought up by the Catholic Church was said to have supported the founding of MFDC on the understanding that the MFDC will back him up in his bid to become the leader of Senegal. It was quite obvious that Senghor will not get the backing of deputies from the four regions simply because he hails from Sine Saloum a region outside of the four regions mentioned above’’. My source, Said.

When Senghore was finally elected into the French Parliament and eventually led Senegal to Independence in April 1960. He introduced one-party rule thereby banning all other parties. MFDC became dormant and some of its founders died in mysterious circumstances.

In 1974 when the multiparty rule was reintroduced in Senegal Lamine Kura Senghore a National Assembly deputy from Cassamance made a call in parliament for the revival of MFDC party. He also called for the Senegalese government to produce the remains of Allen Sitoiye Jatta, a female Activist of Casamance who was arrested by the French and sent to exile in Mali for resisting French influence in the Casamance region. Lamin’s call did not go down well with President Senghore and as a result, Lamin fell out with the PS party. It was later reported that Lamin spent the rest of his life in jail (Source not confirmed).

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Blogger/Political Activist

Re: Don’t Blame Police Officer David Kujabi – there are many out there like him!

David Kujabi

Reference is invited from the article published on the Freedom Newspaper dated September 27, 2018, as per the above subject matter. The aforesaid immortality article of accusation is a hateful fabrication of huge lies and dislike at the highest level on top of Mountain Everest, mathematically calculated wrongly with the intention of ruining and undermining the status of David Kujabi, are we in the area of character assassination?

The aforesaid evil, wicked article, was a malicious mixture of offensive mammoth lies, hatred, deep-rooted academic and intellectual jealousy, designed and projected to portray David in a bad light, and to nastily wipe out the dignity and impeccable honour he is known for as a Police officer. In fact, the author has the audacity to add hatred on our noble, splendid Police Institution.

Dalasi Keme should note that David is exercising his constitutional rights “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 author name Dalasi Keme, hypocritically hiding behind the keyboard has the guts to spew garbage on an honourable and finest Police officer of our time. I will advise the author of such an evil article to utilize the opportunity well as such will not take him/her any were.

‘’I am watching and monitoring and I intend to continue to contribute henceforth because some of us cannot remain silent watchers. Apologies, but I can’t be bothered to use my real name, a protection social media also provides’’ Said, Dalasi Keme.

Surprisingly, enough Dalasi Keme has the backbone, and the moral fibre to accuse David as a disgruntled officer. This saw how academically raw, crude and evil he/she is since he/she is hiding behind a fake name.

I refer Dalasi Keme to the 1997 constitution to familiarize himself/ herself on Section 24(3) A of the 1997 constitution (Presumption of innocence). Furthermore, David is serving this country of ours with sincerity, honesty, integrity, passion and courage.

I think it is high time we help the government with how government's function. Our collective responsibilities should be how to bring back the lost glory of the country for the past wasted 53 years of so-called independence. Fact, no one but us can make our country a better place for us and generation unborn. Let’s try to put The Gambia first before anything else. (Badjie, 2017).

Saidina Alieu Jarjou
Political Activist

In Solidarity With Teachers For Change (Task Force)

Teachers at the press confrence

I write in solidarity with the teachers for change as per their request for a better education sector. Our teachers were the educators who give us knowledge of the world around us and changes it into something for a better society we all want to live in. Still advances us a viewpoint of looking at life and helps us build opinions and have points of view on things in life and the surrounding.

The last time I checked education is widely regarded as essential to economic growth, national development and overall prosperity. In The Gambia, education is valued very highly and theoretically given a high priority. Strangely enough, however, the teachers responsible for educating Gambia's children are not valued that highly as expected compared to other jobs. Considering the rapid increase in goods and services, you would think that teachers would be among the highest paid professionals. Yet teachers are compensated unreasonably to their advanced education levels and are disrespected by many people.

If the salary for teachers were higher, then more people would want to join the profession. With more competition for teaching, the best people would be the ones who are ultimately to be hired. With better teachers at schools, more students would hopefully connect with what they are learning and want to go on to a higher education. With more education, graduates from the University of The Gambia would be better prepared to go out as far beyond Bollibanna.

I remember when my teacher once asked me what I want to be in the future. I replied Teacher, he shouted at me "not to pray for that". And informed me that teachers are the least paid in which they struggle with their salaries to make a leaving as they normally rely on bank overdraft. After a lot of thought, it's obvious to me that my education would be much better if my teachers felt valued. It seems as though many teachers are asked to do more every year for the same salary or sometimes with a pay cut.

Many teachers have not been noiseless about their reasons for abandoning the profession, low morale and low pay. Yet the state’s response has not been enough to end the ongoing crisis of teachers in schools. The job of recruiting and retaining qualified teachers especially in the rural areas becomes more difficult without wiggle room for bonuses and high pay.

Motivated teachers can lead to increased productivity and allow a school to achieve higher levels of output. It is high time for the Barrow led administration to consider the demands of the teachers. Since the majority of teachers quit the teaching field unwilling because of the harsh and stressful conditions.

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Political Activist

President Magufuli Boarded A Commercial Flight To New York, To Attend The UN General Assembly

Dr. Magufuli

Dr John Pombe Magufuli, President of Tanzania, has asserted a strong stance against public spending and discouraged unjustified foreign travels by senior government officials, since assuming office. To do just that, he is leading by example. Shortly assuming the mantle of leadership in 2015, he made his first foreign visit to Rwanda in April 2016, using a commercial flight; in fact, this visit came five months after taking over the reins of power, as opposed to his counterparts in other poor African countries who normally spend hugely on overseas travels.

Magufuli also waged a war on corruption and wasteful spending by government officials. This has led to him losing a lot of friends; nonetheless, Magufuli will not budge, as the Minister of Works, he is widely hailed as a no-nonsense, results-driven politician and “Bulldozer”, perhaps due to his vision to pursue a program to build good roads across in Tanzania.

In 2015, when his country was gearing up of for its independence celebrations, President Magufuli ordered a nationwide clean-up exercise which he led to show that much-needed commitment as a senior statesman, Maguifuli's move to not go for an extravagant celebration which could cost millions is commendable, in fact, he channeled the funds that were earmarked for the celebrations sort out to anti-cholera operations, that was needed most.

The Tanzanian President discouraged unnecessary physical meetings by public servants; instead, he advocated conference calls. For nepotism, favoritism and abuse of office, Maguifuli has zero tolerance for them. Magufuli wouldn’t think twice to deal with an incompetent civil servant, who lacks the zeal to wholeheartedly work for the advancement of Tanzania. On September 6, 2018. He appointed Diwani Athumani as Director-General for the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB). Corruption itself is said to be: “the single greatest obstacle to economic and social development. It undermines development by distorting the rule of law and weakening the institutional foundation on which economic growth depends” (World Bank).

Magufuli’s attributes cannot be found in many African leaders, who actually know their responsibilities as heads of states but give deaf ears to them. When it was time to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York, most African Heads of States took chartered flight to New York but for Magufuli, a commercial flight will do, perhaps to save cost. What a decisive and commendable move?

Another Magufuli Type of leader can be found in Mexico, its new President, Lopez Obrador, took a commercial flight instead of a chartered flight to attend the UNGA. Mr Obrador said he would be “ashamed to have a luxury Aero plane in a country with so much poverty."

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Political Activist

Africa Will Be Ruin By The Thieves We Call Leaders

Africa has been politically backward and immature throughout the ages, with lots of violence, injustices and above all corrupt practices. Her children on the other hand, while thinking about better days to come their way, have been proven wrong by people they voted into public offices.

Among many others, corruption, tribalism, nepotism and other abuses of office, continue to be main the issues that stagnate the progress of this great continent.

The major cause of these existing wrongdoings in our darling and resource-rich continent is mainly poor leadership and governance. This practice doe not spare any individual, anybody person can be easily offended by these bad practices in the continent.

If care is not taken, the aforementioned coupled with conflicts and diseases will depopulate the continent to such an extent that it will never be able to compete in the international stage.

Imagine Africans killing each other and destroying the continent's resources, all due to the big thieves we call leaders, who cling to power and loot all the continent resources. It even appalling to find out that, those leaders don’t have hope in our healthcare and education system, because whenever their family is sick they will be rushed to health facilities abroad at the expense of the poor tax payers.

It is enough to mention the gun rule and slaughtering of people in Southern Cameroun, Libya, DRC, and Darfur, not to mention the killing of innocent civilians in Cassamance Southern Senegal. These are clear indications, that African leaders are themselves responsible for Africa's underdevelopment, genocide and political turmoil.

Africa has now turned to be the land of sorrow; it is the Continent that produces Bokou Haram and Al-Shabaab, the two Terrorist Organizations that preside over the killing of thousands innocent youth, women and children under the watch of our greedy heads of states.

Without a doubt, many citizens in Africa do not have trust in their leaders. This is because more often than not those leaders tend to abuse power for various reasons known to them. It is often said by many that African leaders put first their personal interests than that of the State and this is evidently seen in their dealings.

Corruption, nepotism, and egoism are the order of the day for them, however, no sooner did they overcome these, I only hope so, Africa’s development will propel like a Jumbo Jet. It is always better late than never to make amends.

Saidina  Alieu  Jarjou

Political Activist

An Open Letter To The Minister Of Basic and Secondary Education

I am writing this open letter not to sympathies with your ministry; I am doing so, to irritate an urgent reaction from your office, in the wake of what appears to be a serious wane in performance in the recent 2018, West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results. I learnt with dismay that over 70% of the Gambian students, who sat for this year’s WASSCE, have miserably failed beyond human imagination. The students failed most of their subjects, particularly English language and Mathematics.

Ma, I'm with the conviction, that this piece will trigger a rude awakening in your institution, so it can make a rethink about ways and means of rescuing our already compromised education sector from further calamities.

Besides, I'm fully aware of the laid down agenda in place, however, I am more concerned with facts and realities on hand that have been debilitating performances at schools. These facts are evident and as a concerned citizen, I deem it fit to add my voice to the chorus of advises directed at your office. More often than not, public schools across the country lack learning materials, Teachers on the other hand have been protesting over low salary. These two, though urgent remain unsolved. Now why would you not expect these results to be the way they are?

I believe it is obligatory upon you as a public servant to consider the outcome of the results as a catastrophe facing our educational system and chart a holistic approach that will introduce about competitiveness and seriousness in Schools across the country.

Madam Minister, I am sure that you received advice from all stakeholders on what needs to be done to advance The Gambia’s education system. Unlike rocket science however, almost everyone has an opinion on what works best for a better education sector.

Furthermore, the last time I checked over 50 years since independence, The Gambia as a sovereign nation has not been able to raise technical and vocational schools to the levels with which they can contribute profoundly to the economy. We can draw programs from China, Malaysia, Ethiopia and South Africa that embraced technical education long time ago. Most of these countries now have higher GDP and per capita income due to the significance with which they gave to technical education long time ago.

I submit to you that the challenges faced by our education sector are like Abubakar Shekau of Boko Haram in Nigeria trying to bomb the White House in America.

Surprisingly enough. The Gambia is yet to be part of the 21st Century through the use of modern technology to ease education. The Gambia have been using chalks and blackboards since the colonial era which reduces teacher confidence and causes a lot of distractions to the teaching learning process.

I am therefore by this letter appealing to your high office to consider switching to the use of white boards and markers to boost teacher confidence in front of the class. A confident teacher is more likely to attract the attention of the students which would go a long way to ensure good grasp of what is being taught in the classroom. The role of education in the age of globalization ought to be to broaden the horizons in the minds of people and there ought to be equal access to opportunities for this exposure.

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Blogger/Political Activist