The intellectual Community in Banjul, known as the Banjul old guard, could be best referred to as “political guinea pigs.” Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has long been recycling these so called intellectuals in the name of “Governance Reforms” and incompetency . Banjul matters a lot to President Jammeh politically and as such he would do everything humanely possible to win the minds and hearts of the City residents. What’s befalling though is Mr.Jammeh’s open political hypocrisy. Each time, he fires a Banjulian, he would try to replace the sacked official with either a family member or resident of the City. Such moves are calculated to woe political support. It’s about time for Gambians to closely monitor the way President Jammeh runs this country. He is undermining fabric of society in The Gambia, in the name of clinging onto power.
The Banjulian old guard created the Yahya Jammeh factor in our body politics. Call them cheap and dishonest intellectuals you make no mistake. Imagine Balla Jahumpa, Saja Taal, Tamsir Mbowe, Bai Ousman Secka, Willy Joof, Harry Sambou, alias Boy Harry, Omar Faye, Tamsir Jallow, Fatou Jahumpa Ceesay, the list goes on and on being used as political pawns by the dictatorship. These officials had no moral conscience and principles so to speak. All they cared for is their monthly salary and nothing else. Integrity is alien to them.
What President Jammeh fails to realize is that politics of deception never last. We can bet that these named folks would be among the first Gambians to disown Jammeh if he was out of power today. The Banjulian old guard have betrayed what their ancestors had stood for over the years. Shame on these folks.
To some extent, they contributed to the Governance crisis in The Gambia. These unprincipled folks are living in denial and shall continue to live in denial. They believe that without Jammeh, they would starve to death. They also believe that the best place to secure job is by working the Government.
Knowing fully well that the Banjul old guard are cheap, Jammeh continues to treat them with contempt. He hires and fires them without cause. Some spent months behind bars, whilst others suffered daily persecution from Jammeh’s bully agents. Despite such humiliations, these so called intellectuals continued to pledge their allegiance for Jammeh and his APRC.
Gambians are in the habit of underestimating Yahya Jammeh. Jammeh is no fool as he is perceived in some quarters. He had a set goal each time he hires some one. Once, his mission is accomplished, he bids farewell to such appointees. Our intellectuals never learn from their past mistakes.
Gambians should not lend their ears to any disgruntled Jammeh former appointee trying to settle old scores with the devil they helped to create. One good thing Jammeh had succeeded in doing is by instilling culture of fear into these sellouts and cowards. Out of the former Jammeh appointees, very few percentage of them are bold enough to speak out against their former savor. They have good reasons for not speaking out publicly. Perhaps, they don’t want Jammeh to expose the other side of the coin to the Gambian people. As such, they decided to lie low. How long would you continue to hide your past dirty games
Gambians are very magnanimous. Thanks to our benevolent populace, these sacked officials are being taken care of mentally and financially. Our people helped to pay their monthly rent and other domestic needs. They also helped to rehabilitate these recycled old guard. Many of them would have gone mad if the General public had not stepped in to allay their worries. Jammeh would meet the same people along the way when his Government is declared historic.
It pays to be nice when entrusted with the position of authority. You can do your job without being corrupted. The Banjul old guard should think twice. What would they do if Jammeh is no longer in the position of authority? That day is coming sooner or later. Nothing is impossible. Safeguard your legacy in the interest of your sons and grand sons. We rest our case.