No Matter How High The Walls Are Built Illegal Migration Cannot Be Stopped.

The last time I checked Illegal migration is a burning and hot topic in Africa. It is believed that lack of job opportunities and prospects is the main reason forcing a number of young people in search of greener pastures in the European Union (EU) countries via the Mediterranean, which many passed through hell before reaching their final destination.

Border and Coastguard Agency Frontex estimated that 150,000 people entered the EU through irregular crossings in 2018. That represents the lowest total since 2013 and is 92% below the peak recorded during the migration crisis in 2015. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) puts the number of migrants and refugees arriving in Europe last year at close to 142,000, most of whom made the hazardous crossing of the Mediterranean Sea. (Laura, 2019).

Besides, Africa is blessed with natural resources that can be utilized to benefit the whole continent. However, poverty in Africa is the lack of provision to satisfy the basic human needs of certain people in Africa. African nations typically fall toward the bottom of any list measuring small size economic activity, such as income per capita or GDP per capita, despite a wealth of natural resources.

Furthermore, the question of leadership in Africa was first faced in the 1990s, during the start of the democratization of African States. The quality of leaders has become a major concern in the founding of the democratic process and its success. Besides, those leaders who supposed to oversee the affairs of the State turned to be murderers and looters of our minimal resources. This resulted in her young people running away from the continent.

However, the young people of Africa taught that one day her continent will produce leaders who have all that it takes to transform the continent and lead them to the promised land. Unfortunately, most Africa leaders lack the foresight to lead us to the promise land as per AU Agenda 2063.

The question is; how do our leaders sleep considering the monumental catastrophic faced by our young people via the Mediterranean to live a better life in the EU countries. That, the African leaders themselves failed to provide for its citizens. After decades of colonization, the young people of Africa taught that one day Africa will be the last place of hope on earth.

In conclusion, I submit to us that no matter how high the walls are built illegal migration cannot be stopped. Unless we desist from election looters who have no vision into public offices the continent will continue to lose her young people to the Mediterranean. I pray to Allah may the departed souls of the young people who died while trying to reach Europe rest in eternal peace. Amen!

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Blogger/ Political Activist

The Gambia’s Independence Celebration Is Meaningless

The Gambia gained its so-called independence on 18 February 1965, as a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth, with Elizabeth II as Queen of The Gambia, represented by the Governor-General. On 24 April 1970, it became a republic within the Commonwealth, following a second referendum.

The last time I checked Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over the territory.

However, The Gambia as a country cannot claim to be an Independence State when self-sufficiency, self-reliance, self-support, self-sustenance, self-standing, self-government and access to healthcare remain a mystery. After 53 years from the struggle of the so-called Independence. Yet still, The Gambia as a nation cannot feed her citizens and access to communication is a challenge in the 21 Century.

Meanwhile, Independence Day should not be a day of clapping, dancing, singing and to hold abundant ceremonial extravaganzas, which are of course footed by poor taxpayers. Instead, it should be a day of ‘‘National Thinking Day’’ to reflect on our achievements and problems as a nation, think about how to get out of these problems with our own strength and reward those who make an amazing contribution to the cause.

Furthermore, it should also be a day which calls upon the nationalism of Gambians. One thing, we do not do as a country is to reward those who in diverse ways contribute their very best, even at the expense of their life, to help move The Gambia in front. Independence Day puts too much emphasis on the colonizers who left decades and whose legacy we have not yet succeeded to improve upon.

I submit to us that; The Gambia may no longer be ruled by Britain. However, a number of its economic policies are dictated by donors such as China and the European Union to a tiny extent, international corporations who have imposed neo-liberal policies which are totally against Pan-Africanism. Some of the policies that have been adopted have increased economic growth, but that growth has not trickled down to the common man.

In conclusion, I will advise President Adama Barrow, the Commander-in-Chief to use the money budgeted for Independence celebration to buy equipment, ambulances for our sinking and failed health care for a better Gambia we want.

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Blogger/Political Activist

‘‘The Gambia Bar Association Should Desist From Hypocrisy’’

Rachael Mendy

The last time I checked its mission is to represent its members and contribute to the strengthening of participatory legal development, the rule of law and human rights standards in the Gambia. With a vision to seek an enlightened and transparent legal environment in The Gambia in which the rule of law is upheld, access to justice is assured and the protection and integrity of the legal profession is guaranteed.

Of recent, the president of the Gambia Bar Association Rachael Mendy speaking at the official opening of the 2019 legal year noted that PBYND was set up to promote the agenda of President Barrow. Therefore, “It is for this reason that we are opposed to the action taken recently to resuscitate the establishment of a youth movement based on a personal agenda. Such action can only result in the perpetuation of disunity among the youth who should now be encouraged to work in harmony incredible social activities.”

The said statement from the GBA President was not only unfortunate but disappointing since there are salient issues that the GBA should work on. The question is where was the Bar Association during the 22 years Jammeh’s brutal rule and when the NIA was turned into a torture chamber, when Solo Sandeng was killed and on April 10th and 11th, 2000 when 14 Gambian students were massacred when they held a demonstration against the regime of president Jammeh for alleged murder of Ebrima Barry and the rape of a Brikamaba school girl. Considering its mandate for a better country we want as per defending and upholding freedom, justice and the rule of law in The Gambia.

Furthermore, Article 2 (a) of the Constitution of The Gambia Bar Association reads; to maintain the standards, integrity, honour and independence of the Bar, to promote, preserve and improve the services and functions of the Bar, and to represent and act for the Bar generally as well as in matters affecting the administration of justice.

I might not agree with the mode of operations of the PBYND. However, its formation is constitutional and legally binding as it is a charitable organization said to be registered under the Companies Act 2013. Besides, Section 25 of Subsection 1 (e) of the 1997 Constitution granted all citizens the freedom of association, which shall include freedom to form and join associations and unions, including political parties and trade unions.

‘‘Rachael Mboge Mendy cannot use her position to pay political and she has no right and basis for her ill-judicial comment against the PBYNP. That statement doesn't fit in the mouth of someone promoting judicial independence and reconciliation, especially after knowing that PBYNP was a legally registered body’’. Said, Jeng.

Rachael should tell the sovereign citizens how she reached at the conclusion about the illegality and the unethical formation of the PBYND. The judicial sector should be the last resort of any democratic dispensation in the 21 Century. As well its decisions should not be politically motivated, either to promote the agenda of an individual/entity.

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Blogger/Political Activist

RE: RESPONSE TO SAIDINA ALIEU JARJOU

Dear Comrade Kexx Sanneh,

Reference is invited from your response published on your Facebook timeline on January 31, 2019, as per the above subject matter. Pertaining to the open letter I wrote to Halifa Sallah earlier yesterday. Please be informed that your letter is well received and its content is well noted.

Besides, since you decided to respond on his behalf I would like to take this opportunity to correct your ill-informed and misleading letter for a better society we want. The submission on your letter really tells a lot about the integrity of your godfather Halifa. Please note that I never backtracked my judge that Halifa being too petty. Halifa is on record that he chose not to appear before the TRRC Commission because he has no pain in his heart to heal. Duty compelled him to do everything he had done to combat injustice.

Unpredictably, on 13 January 2019 Halifa wrote a letter to the TRRC through Ref: PF/13/1/2019(1). Requesting for Confrontation with Ex-captain Mamat Cham to Rebut Fabrication of Evidence he Halifa claimed.

To my consternation the TRRC responded that ‘‘The Provision Rules of Procedure of the Commission (Section 70), however, allows for persons who have been adversely mentioned or implicated in human rights violations during its proceedings to be given reasonable opportunity to respond to allegations made against them by way of written statements or by personal appearance before the Commission’’.

Halifa should be schooled that the TRRC is not only about people who are hurt or grieving. The core of TRRC’s mandate is to investigate and establish an impartial historical record of nature, cause and extent of violation and abuses of human rights committed during the period July 1994 to January 2017 and to consider the granting of reparation to victims and connected matters.

With allusion to the slogan ‘NEVER AGAIN’. The aforesaid statement shows Halifa’s lack of understanding on his part on the mandate of the commission and the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission Act, 2017. If he had done his homework well, it would have prevented him from this monumental and mammoth academic shame.

Moreover, I submit to you that Halifa is denying the sovereign citizens the opportunity to hear what he has or knows about the ongoing TRRC. While I understand that testifying is purely voluntary, we can expect that much from him as a Politician.

Furthermore, he decided to decline to testify, meaning, he gave up the opportunity to lucid himself of any inaccuracies raised by Cham and OJ in their testimonies. He should just live with that perfectionist syndrome of his. It is definitely petty to be writing responses challenging people’s testimony when you decline to testify and give your side of the story.

Yours in the service for a better Gambia we want!

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Blogger/Political Activist

An Open Letter to Honourable Halifa Sallah, PDOIS Secretary-General

Honourable Sallah, I must admit that you are one of the very few politicians that are helping to reshape Gambia’s political arena by enlightening the masses through your many write-ups which include but not limited to; ‘‘the young people should be told the truth’’ platform. Besides, when the going was indeed very tough during the political impasse, you wore the hat of a de-facto Head of State, at a time someone like you was needed the most. While our Commander-In-Chief ran for cover in Senegal, you stood to the taste of time issuing guidelines to the sovereign citizens, centre to which was a plea for respect to the rule of law for a better Gambia we want.

These heroics earned you a lot of admirers including my humble self; however, some of us were taken aback by your recent dossiers about the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). The last time I checked Section 13(a) of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission Act, 2017 has it that the objective of the commission is to create an impartial historical record of violation and abuses of human right from July 1994 to January 2017.

Honourable Sallah, I don’t mean to be disrespectful in my open letter but I submit to you that, I am not only disappointed but flabbergasted and bowl over on your recent reaction to the witnesses of the TRRC. Surprisingly, you made mentioned that through Foroyaa January 17, 2019 publication that; ‘‘I still chose not to appear before the Commission because I have no pain in my heart to heal. Duty compelled me to do everything I had done to combat injustice’’.

Honourable Sallah, I am not sure that if the Commission's rules of procedure will permit "confrontation" especially between a witness and someone who has chosen not to appear before the commission. I think it is better you appear before the said commission to testify and put the records straight which is your constitutional right, especially that you were offended by both Cham and Omar A. Jallow’s testimony. Some might say that you have a duty to correct the records. Meanwhile, if you cannot appear before the commission, it is better to kindly submit a written piece to the Research and Investigations Unit of the TRRC.

Arnold H. Glasow noted that a good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit. Please be informed that no matter how good you think you are as a leader, my goodness, the people around you will have all kinds of ideas for how you can get better. So for me, the most fundamental thing about leadership is to have the humility to continue to get feedback and to try to get better in attaining your dream of the presidency.

Honourable Sallah, I will not be surprised to receive your response in the form of a PhD thesis with a citation from the various sections of the 1997 constitution, in which you are good at. Besides, you seem to be a good Lecturer it is in that note I take this opportunity to beg you, to kindly desist from politics and focus on academia especially at the University of The Gambia where your services might be needed.

Yours in the service of open letter writing.

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Blogger/Political Activist

An Open Letter To Minister of Health & Social Welfare Dr Isatou Touray (Part.2)

Honourable Minister, I write to you once more again with much sorrow and sadness as a disturbed concern citizen and not a viewer about the increasing rate at which many innocent patients are losing their lives in some health facilities countrywide. Besides, you are aware that Health plays a major role in one's life. It is very crucial for a person to survive on this planet earth. Improper health leads to the death of the person, it also leads to some of the major diseases making the person unfit to execute his task.

Honourable Minister, the purpose of my open letter is not only to congratulate you but it is also to ask you to spend few minutes of your time and think about our patient lying down in hospitals without proper medication. Some citizens in the rural area have to walk long hours to reach the government hospital. When a severe case, most of the villagers use donkeys as a mean of transportation in which many suffer before reaching the hospital, just because it is located far away without access to Ambulances.

The Barrow led administration promised to provide better healthcare to the citizens from Kartong to Koina. It is believed that the clinics and the hospitals supposed to be the safe refuge for the sick. It is the place where we expect that anyone who is about to visit the next world can be assisted to come back to life. Meanwhile, I totally agree that The Gambia health sector has some dedicated professionals who work with passion and try their ultimate best to serve their patients with meagre resources.

Honourable Minister, the last time I checked the health sector under your leadership is in a catastrophic state of concern. Sources close to the corridors of your office has it that, ‘‘the community of Salikene lack Ambulance, Kuntaur District Hospital is also without a Medical Doctor, inadequate cleansing materials for health facilities, the poor infrastructure of health institutions and staff accommodation facilities, inadequate drug and equipment in health facilities’’.

I submit to you that The Gambia health sector under your leadership is sinking in the broad daylight like the mighty Titanic as a result of inadequate medical facilities and the human resources across the country. Furthermore, the sovereign citizens at the rural areas especially those at Bolibanna find it difficult to access the medical facilities.

Honourable Minister, how can the sovereign citizens have trust in the Barrow led administration if the health sector is moving towards an unknown destination? Health is very vital, besides maintaining good health should be your primary focus for a better Gambia we want as per The Gambia National Development Plan. (2018-2021).

Voting is our right, but it is also our responsibility because if we don't take the next step and elect leaders who are committed to building a better future for our kids, other rights our rights to clean air, clean water, health, and prosperity are placed directly in harm's way. (Tom Steyer).

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Blogger/Political Activist

Will The Gambia Be Able To Deliver A Successful And Memorable OIC Summit? (Part.132)

Readers could recall that the Gambia Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretariat at the Petroleum house was established as a Charitable Organization under the Companies Act, 2013. This is under the purview of the Office of the President, with the aim to provide coordination role for in preparations for hosting of the upcoming 2019 summit.

The OIC is the second largest inter-governmental organization which was established in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, on 25 September 1969, consisting of 57 member states, who decided to pool their resources together, combine their efforts and speak with one voice to safeguard the interest and ensure the progress and well-being of their peoples and those of other Muslims in the World. The OIC organizes the Islamic summit, which is the largest meeting, attended by the Rulers and the Heads of State and Government of its member states.

According to its charter, the OIC aims to preserve Islamic social and economic values; promote solidarity amongst member states; increase cooperation in social, economic, cultural, scientific, and political areas; to back the struggle of all Muslim people with a view to preserving their dignity, independence and national rights; uphold international peace and security; and advance education, particularly in the fields of science and technology. Furthermore, it is financed by contributions and donations of its members and headquarters in Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Strategic Intent of the OIC as published on its website has it that; to provide first class accommodation facilities, Improving accessibility with new strategic and renovated roads across the country. With Priority Projects to establish a Plenary Hall with a capacity of 1,031 persons on 2 floors with other facilities and to Construct a new 5 star 400 bedrooms hotel with 60 Royals and Presidential suites.

The Point newspaper on its August 13, 2018 publication has it that Minister of Works and Transportation of The Gambia Mr Bai Lamin Jobe, who led the technical discussions, between a delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of The Gambia. Noted, the Government attaches great importance to the organisation of the 2019 OIC Summit. Also listed out other pending OIC projects, in the form of road constructions, airport expansion, the upgrading of the airport’s VIP Lounge, among others. All these projects, including the construction of high-standard hotels, are all included in the government’s development blueprint, the NDP 2018-2021.

With reference to a press release from the Office of the President issued on Wednesday 28th November 2018 where the Secretary-General of the OIC-Gambia Secretariat Mr Lamin Sanneh pointed that ‘‘if you are talking about the projects, very soon. We are at the prequalification stage for the roads, water, electricity, even the expansion of Bertil Harding Highway.’’

Surprisingly enough, the indications to determine the success of the said prestigious summit which is just at the corner as lamented by Mr Sanneh is minimal. The OIC Secretariat and its stakeholders should do everything possible for a memorable summit.

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Blogger/Political Activist