A Firm Response to Abdoulie Saine

Abdoulie Saine, your track record speaks volumes about your approach to patriotism and national service—one that borders on self-interest rather than true dedication to our country. Your authoritarian tendencies have not gone unnoticed; your students have called you out for imposing your will without engaging in meaningful dialogue. Such behavior is a blemish on the principles of democracy and civility we strive to uphold in The Gambia. To label someone like Alkali Conteh as "uneducated" is not only brash, but it reveals your own insecurities. This petty jab only highlights the contrast between your failures and Conteh’s commendable legacy. Alkali Conteh’s journey is defined by resilience and a genuine commitment to uplifting our nation. From teaching in classrooms across the country to serving as a diplomat and leading efforts to oust the oppressive Jammeh regime, his dedication and integrity are well-documented and commendable. In stark contrast, your own public record is a litany of high-profile failures: the STGDP ended in turmoil, CORDEG—a initiative intended to unify the diaspora—collapsed during your tenure, and your attempts at leadership in academia and politics left more division and disillusionment in their wake than cohesion. These are not the actions of a visionary leader or a true patriot. Before you throw around accusations of failure and lack of experience at others, Mr. Saine, take a long, hard look in the mirror. Accountability begins with honesty, and the overwhelming evidence of your past missteps serves as a reminder that history remembers us for our actions, not our words.

Furthermore, your attempts to belittle Alkali Conteh by distorting the truth about his career are downright disingenuous. Mocking his work experience is not only shortsighted but a disservice to the incredibly valuable roles that many play across various sectors, including grocery stores. Your intellectual arrogance is staggering, and your condescension towards others is both childish and damaging. Your claims of Alkali Conteh lacking political experience are laughable, especially since you sought his support to lead the CoRDEC movement in North Carolina. It’s telling that your own ambitions crumbled under the weight of your so-called political prowess. Let’s not forget that you are the same Abdoulie Saine who once taught at Miami University and who advocated for inclusion and equality in the 2020 Constitution. Your inability to secure a vice-chancellor position at the University of The Gambia and your subsequent bitterness toward the Barrow administration further reveal your inability to unite or lead effectively in any capacity. In this moment, I urge you to step back from your lofty pretensions and recognize that education devoid of humility is futile. It’s time for you to relinquish your misguided self-righteousness and allow Alkali Conteh to shine. Leave behind the intolerance and animosity, for in true patriotism, we recognize and uplift those who genuinely serve our nation. The time for reflection and humility is now. Choose to build instead of tear down. I rest my case. Faye Biram Kanifing South Gambia