BY BINNEH S MINTEH:

LIEUTENANT RETIRED 
 

It is apparent to all Gambians and friends Of The Gambia that President Jammeh and his bandwagon of thugs are gearing up once again in preparations for celebrating a triumphant evil that overshadowed our country for over a decade. The question however ordinary Gambians and friends of the Gambia are asking is why a July 22nd celebrations, when such a revolution that ousted a democratically elected government contravened the norms and ethics of what constitutes a revolution? Why a July 22nd celebrations when the revolution only successfully and shamelessly ravage our economy to be among the worse economies of the developing world, when the revolution only successfully divided and failed us as a nation and as a people. 

Why a July 22nd celebration, when such a revolution is tainted with the worse atrocities and crimes ever committed against humanity in the history of mankind, when such a revolution uses whims and caprices to brutally silence its citizens. WHY SPENDING ALL THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON THE JULY 22ND CELEBRATIONS? WHY? 

The answer to this question can be found in a well-convoluted path as Jammeh and his regime are far from the realities of the changing world. His regime has successfully looted and robbed us of our meager resources making it difficult for the average Gambian to make ends meet. Today no one can deny the profound impact it has on helpless, men, women and children, coupled with the skyrocketing costs of basic food commodities, unemployment, poor wages for civil servants, and the apalling standard of living for the average Gambian. Such a celebration is only a mockery and an insult to all Gambians. 

Why a July 22nd celebration when people are dying on a daily basis due to poor medical facilities? when our school systems are deteriorating on a daily basis, when families are still mourning over the lost of loved ones. Why a July 22nd celebration when our economy is in the brinks of total shamelessness and mayhem, when we are a highly indebted nation? WHY SPENDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON THE JULY 22nd CELEBRATIONS? WHY? 

In all respects, the Jammeh regime is only an unfortunate term for Gambians, as the regime can never evoke its massive economic, social, political and cultural blunders ingesting a daily dose, therefore causing havoc, terror, confusion, uncertainty and a state of helplessness on the average Gambian. The political environment under which this regime operated since stepping to the realms of power is a routine element of a totalitarian system. Its structural constraint largely dominates the potential agency of the people, which is their power according to the dictums of the constitution.  

Why a July 22nd celebration when our Agricultural sector is deteriorating and farmers disrespected as their problems and concerns are not attended to? Why a July 22nd celebration when people are struggling on a daily basis to travel from one part of the country to the other due to dilapidating road conditions, and inadequate means of transportation. Why a July 22nd celebrations when civil servant are forced to succumb to poor wages and inhumane working conditions. WHY SPENDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON A JULY 22ND CELEBRATIONS AFTER ALL? WHY? 

We must therefore collectively and vehemently condemn the celebration as one of triumphant evil. It is a celebration in rejoice for the brutal murder of  officers and men of the armed forces on November 11th 1994. It is a celebration in rejoice for the brutal murder of student demonstrators of April 10th and 11th 2000. It is a celebration in rejoice for the brutal murder of former finance secretary of state ousman Koro Ceesay by the Singhateh brothers. It is a celebration in rejoice for the brutal murder of Deyda Hydra by state sponsored agents. It is a celebration for the dissappearancs and detentions incommunicado and it is also one of a rejoice for all other countless deaths and tortures committed against innocent citizens. Celebrating the military takeover that brought President Jammeh to power is therefore only one of Triumphant Evil. 

"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." (MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR)