Allow President Barrow, s Father To Rest in Peace

Of Darboe's Distateful Personal Politics Why the UDP leader needs to sanitise his rhetoric and leave President Barrow's father to rest in peace   By Yaya Dampha (Sweden)   I see it as a civic duty to respond to the unpleasant and ungentlemanly remarks by a veteran 72-year-old politician in the person of Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, the leader of the opposition United Democratic Party. Mr. Darboe's statement that "President Barrow did not inherit anything from his father" symbolises bad taste, which depicts the character of a man full of anger, rage and hot temper. This is the man who had throughout preached against politics of mudslinging, character assassination or insult during the Jammeh dictatorship. I used to admire Darboe's cool and collected approach to dealing with looming political conflicts. That is why his new line of politics has worried me, to call spade a spade and not a rake.

It is worthy to note that political parties that are devoid of ideological grounds or basis will have nothing to offer to the masses. Members of such political parties resort to talking about their opponents' personal and private lives. Even the parents of their opponents are not allowed to live in peace. Instead of championing issue-based politics or politics of development, these parties will campaign along tribal lines, with its members touting sentiments like 'ali Kari fasa', 'ali Kari la julo jo' (delo len jugal) or 'Kari batata bankola kula'.   Instead of selling his party's programmes and policies to the or what he intends to do for them if he is given the responsibility to manage our meagre tax revenue, the doyen Lawyer politician chose to blow his own trumpet. Maverick politicians are like gifted salespeople who must master the art of sales pitching. Wise politicians allow others to tell their story, especially with regard to their sacrifices. Statements like "I suffered and sacrificed a lot during the Jammeh era" is simply laughable. Who hasn't suffered? Even unborn innocent babies and their mothers are not spared by a regime whose leader sacrificed babies for rituals. Every Gambian tasted their own bitter pills or played their own part and sacrificed without expecting any personal rewards or benefits. All they care about was to free their once Sweet Country from a Mad Dog. Any attempt to defeat Mr. Jammeh was tantamount to solemn national duty.   Truth be told loudly and clearly, President Adama Barrow’s father (Mamudou Barrow) was not a politician. Mamudou's name only came to the public limelight when his son defeated Yahya Jammeh. He was not under any obligation to give his inheritance to Adama Barrow to develop The Gambia. Where has that happened in the world? Mr. Darboe’s remarks corroborate the fact that he endorses the insults and arrogance being peddled by the UDP supporters. How can insult be a crime in a village where elders okay the use of vulgar language? I have now believed that use of vulgar language is an accepted standard of normalcy within the UDP. If you see a child insulting and abusing others in the streets one should know that child learns that behaviour from home.  After more than half a century of self-rule, one might believe that politics of insult, violence, castigation and tribalism should have no place in our modern day Gambian politics.  A 72-year-old man should have been a good Role Model for the younger generations and not the other way around.   It is true that Lawyer Darboe used to get under the skin of former President Jammeh, although in a more responsible manner many a time. But what Darboe needs to understand is that President Barrow is not Yahya Jammeh who can easily be provoked to arrest or suppress his political adversaries. Such tactics are relics of the bygone era. Democracy requires politics of issues and not of personal attacks. It elevates arguments and instils principle of mutual respect and tolerance. It is not the state or the governing party alone that should uphold principles and dictates of democracy. The opposition parties vying for power should also respect the same very principles of democracy. Lawyer Darboe has failed the principle of fair play, mutual respect and upholding sacrosanct traditional values of limiting one's remarks to one’s opponent and not to their parents or relatives. It would have been an explosive affair if such unpleasant remarks were uttered by President Barrow. Our lousy media would have drummed it up and labelled it a threat, yet a clear provocation and punch below the belt is instigated by a veteran politician and the outrage is minimal, which in itself is alarming. Distasteful political remarks or innuendos are not what the world expects of Gambians to practice in a post-dictatorship era. We cannot build a Better Gambia in the absence of restraiing our utterances and allow our democracy to flourish. In essence, let us police ourselves and live in Peace rather than in pieces.  Ends

President Barrow Receives Commonwealth Secretary General

Foreign Minister Dr. Tangara receives Commonwealth Secretary General Her Excellency The Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland Q.C. Banjul, 7th December 2020: The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, on Monday 7th December 2020 received the Secretary General of Commonwealth, Her Excellency The Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland Q.C. in his office in Banjul. In welcoming the Commonwealth Secretary General, Foreign Minister Dr. Tangara commended her and the delegation for the visit to The Gambia. Minister Tangara informed her that The Government of The Gambia is committed to continue working closely with the Commonwealth to spur socio - economic development for The Gambia and all member states. He said partnership in the areas of Health, Judiciary and Education are crucial to the development Blueprint of the Government and extend his appreciation for the technical assistance by the Commonwealth in the areas of Human right, Rule of law, Good Governance, Education and Health. For her part, Her Excellency The Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland Q.C. said her delegation is in Banjul to share with The Gambia opportunities crafted together for the country to tap and utilise. She expressed Commonwealth’s readiness to work with the Government of The Gambia in ensuring a better future for the youth and collaborate in the areas of Climate Change, Good Governance, and Rule of law and Financial Accountability. She used the opportunity to thank Foreign Minister Tangara for the accurate information he provided about the great achievements and initiatives taken by the Government during the past two years. In attendance was the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Saffie Sankareh – Farage and other staff of the Ministry. It could be recalled that The Gambia formally rejoined The Commonwealth on 8th February 2018 following the unilateral withdrawal of the country by the erstwhile President Yahya Jammeh. President Barrow this afternoon received the Commonwealth Secretary General Rt. Patricia Scotland at the Governor's residence in Kerewan, North Bank Region. According to Secretary General Scotland, the President made several commitments in relation to adhering to the Commonwealth Charter, Values, and other issues of difficulty in The Gambia when his government decided to rejoin the organisation of former British Colonies. While expressing her impression about the progress the government has made, SG Patricia said she met with several government Ministers that are determined to make a difference and deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals. She particularly commended the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare on the issue of addressing domestic and sexual violence and advancing the rights of women and girls in the country to ensure their full participation. “We know that if any country is to be healthy and wealthy, we have to look after all our people and 50 per cent of our people are female, so taking advantage of the assets, the talents, the energy of our women and girls is going to be critically important for The Gambia.”