JULY 22^ND COUP IS A FAILURE!!

The Big Interview: Former Junta Spokesman Speaks

The July 22nd is an unconstitutional event in the history of the Gambia. The advent of the second Republic makes the July 22nd an outdated political event not worthy of celebration. It's therefore the duty of all Gambians to denounce it as a waste of time and resources- Kanteh Declares

“Dismal failure of a regime that came to power with a promise of change for the better. Interms  of human rights, the country is more or less a police state in which the fundamental rights of the citizenry are routinely violated. The overall scenario is doom and gloom. Security seems to be an important issue for Jammeh but not that of the defenseless citizens. This is a government that rewards mismanagement, indiscipline and incompetence; indemnifies brutality, even those meted out to innocent school children demanding an apology for wrongs against a few of them. Since the untimely and mysterious death of the regimes' own energetic Finance Minister, Korro, several high profile deaths and disappearances have occurred without investigation into the cases. How can a government worthy of its salt fail to get to the bottom of such high profile abuses? You can kill the people but not their determine spirit. Our departed heroes, worthy sons of our beloved land are assured of justice no matter how long that may take.” These were the exact words of former Junta Spokesman and North Bank Division Commissioner Retired Captain Alhagie Kanteh. As the APRC celebrates the infamous July 22^nd Anniversary, which toppled the 30 year PPP rule, Freedom Newspaper Editorial Staff, had embarked on a special assignment to profile former army officers, Civilians, politicians and decision makers. The goal for such a coverage is to sound people’s opinions about July 22^nd anniversary. In this Exclusive interview, Captain Kanteh denounced the celebration of a military coup, describing it  as undemocratic and waste of public resources. Below is the full text of the interview. Please read on……

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Freedom Newspaper: Good day Captain Kanteh. There is yet another so called  July 22ND Military Revolution celebrations in The Gambia. What are your reflections on this day?

A  Kanteh: Good day Mr. Mbai; thank you for having me. It was on the this day 14 years ago that the democratic constitution of the Republic of the Gambia was subverted by a coup d'tat led by a group of mainly uncultured junior officers of the Gambia National Army, GNA. Initially the move was welcomed by a cross-section of the population who felt that the Jawara regime had outlived its usefulness. Public expectation was that the Junta was going to announce a short transition to democratic constitutional order.

 As important recommendations of the people through the Constitutional Review Commission, CRC, such as the presidential term limit were turned down by the Junta, far sighted Gambians started to smell the wrath of the prospects of the Junta perpetuating itself in power. Today the verdict is here for all to see - monumental abuse of authority, unprecedented level of corruption and mismanagement, gross human rights abuses and indiscipline. On the whole, the regime is adamant in celebrating an unconstitutional day and a failed revolution.

Freedom Newspaper: Military coups are globally considered illegal and undemocratic. Do you support the celebrations of a coup?

A Kanteh: Military intervention should be a last resort in addressing the wrongs of an undesirable political system. Coups can be hardly justified especially when democratic alternatives for change exist. There should therefore be no need to celebrate a coup if those who stage the take-over are not self-seekers and despots. President Tumani Toure of Mali is a bright example of those military leaders who will never celebrate a coup anniversary, but the country's legitimate national day.

Freedom Newspaper: Don't you think the APRC have cause to celebrate July 22ND? If no why not?

A Kanteh: The July 22nd is an unconstitutional event in the history of the Gambia. The advent of the second Republic makes the July 22nd an outdated political event not worthy of celebration. It's therefore the duty of all Gambians to denounce it as a waste of time and resources.

Freedom Newspaper: On the other hand, the man behind of the July 22Nd coup Yahya Jammeh, might argue that there is cause for celebrations, considering the numerous projects he initiated since coming to power. Your views?

A Kanteh: well, the white elephant projects are a different matter all together. These are no longer news worthy. Let Jammeh bring up something new; something that helps put bread on the table of the average family and ensure security for all Gambians and not only the powerful and well connected.

Freedom Newspaper: Has Jammeh failed or succeeded as a leader?

A Kanteh: A leader who oppresses his people; muzzles independent opinion; murders countless citizens including school children and granting the perpetrators those crimes immunity from prosecution; mismanaged the economy, rendering himself richer than the national treasury, cannot be considered successful.

In the Gambia today what matters is the personal security of Jammeh; everything else is secondary. The country and its recourse is the personal property of president Jammeh. The cabinet, judiciary and legislature have been rendered irrelevant in face of Jammeh's hunger for excessive authority.

Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of Jammeh is his ignorance of the the position of President in a democracy. His perpetual flouting of rules and procedures says a lot about the personality of a man that can be described as enigmatic. In short Jammeh is the worst that can ever happen to the country.

Freedom Newspaper: Comparing Libya's Revolution to that of The Gambia, what can the APRC learned from Libya? Any differences here?

A Kanteh: The AFPRC has learnt a lot of vices from Ghadaffi's Libya. Where do you think the concept of the notorious J22 movement comes from? Ghadaffi is a different dictator from Jammeh - while the former is an intelligent nationalist, the later is nothing but a comic bafoon with a penchant for "flamboyant lifestyle". In Libya like the Gambia, there is a clear absence of freedom of speech, opinion and association and its leader, a recuperating pariah. The Jammeh political philosophy is one based on George O'well's satires of "Animal Farm" and "Nineteen Eighty Four." What a sad situation!

Freedom Newspaper: What's your definition of a revolution?  Will you call July 22nd a revolution or a rebellion?

A Kanteh: In as much as I do not share the imperial categorization of world's four greatest revolutions as haven taken place in Europe and America plus the Industrial Revolution, the July 22nd was a sham and a terrible hoax pulled on the peace-loving people of the Gambia. I guess you can also describe it as a rebellion of self-seeking and greedy officers of the Army.

 Freedom Newspaper: In your view, what success story have the Jammeh Government recorded,  if any since coming to power?

A Kanteh: Jammeh government succeeded in misinforming and mis-educating the masses on issues of fundamental importance to the citizenry. As we speak, the majority of the people of the Gambia live in fear of persecution, fear of malnutrition and fear of the erosion of their fundamental rights and freedoms. This is the Gambia that we have to inherited following decades of colonial injustice. And yet Jammeh considers himself young generation leader. Instead of expanding democratic space, Jammeh has chosen to oppress the people "Mansa" style.

Freedom Newspaper: What about the airport, the Kombo Coastal Road, the University, The TV, Middle and High Schools. Are these not developmental projects?

A Kanteh: Of course, the devil should be given it's due, and this is what makes the regime different from the PPP. However, the hospitals are structure without doctors and drugs; the schools are in dare need of facilities, thus the sharp plummet in the quality of education today; the TV as a state propaganda medium with virtually nothing to offer other than the whims and caprices of Jammeh. And yet even the generations of Gambians unborn are indebted to international financial institutions such as the World Bank and the IMF. Jammeh runs a tax-based and borrowing-based economy, while growth is stagnant. 

Freedom Newspaper: What's your overall assessment of the 14 year Jammeh Government in terms of Governance?

A  Kanteh: Dismal failure of a regime that came to power with a promise of change for the better. Interms  of human rights, the country is more or less a police state in which the fundamental rights of the citizenry are routinely violated. The overall scenario is doom and gloom. Security seems to be an important issue for Jammeh but not that of the defenseless citizens. This is a government that rewards mismanagement, indiscipline and incompetence; indemnifies brutality, even those meted out to innocent school children demanding an apology for wrongs against a few of them.

Since the untimely and mysterious death of the regimes' own energetic Finance Minister, Korro, several high profile deaths and disappearances have occurred without investigation into the cases. How can a government worthy of its salt fail to get to the bottom of such high profile abuses? You can kill the people but not their determine spirit. Our departed heroes, worthy sons of our beloved land are assured of justice no matter how long that may take.

Freedom Newspaper: If you should issue a report card to the APRC/PPP Governments, which of the two is more democratic?

A Kanteh: The PPP was a semblance of democracy as President Jawara used to call it. There was relative peace during the Jawara era. But to paraphrase a thinker, peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the prevalence of justice and fairplay. The Jawara regime was controlled by a elite mafia insensitive to the plight of the the ordinary man. As for the AfPRC, democracy has never been a priority, Kaputt.

Freedom Newspaper: But in terms of  fighting corruption, the Jammeh Government had tried many public officials for economic crimes. Has the PPP tackled official graft seriously in those days?

A Kanteh: Jammeh is not fighting corruption; he is himself corrupt. Imagine, this son of  a poor has now got in his name over 20 landed properties, a huge fleet of commercial vehicles.....the list goes on. It is reported that that during his wedding in Morocco he was dishing so much money and gold that his in-laws had to ask if the Gambia was an oil-rich country. What moral authority has such a man to lead an anti-corruption crusade? If he thinks he is clean let him declare his assets and properties for public scrutiny.

Freedom Newspaper: Why is Jammeh acting as if he owns The Gambia and her people?

A Kanteh: I don't know. Jammeh is in a better position to answer that.

Freedom Newspaper: What needs to be done to restore democracy in The Gambia?

A Kanteh: So many different things: Opposition unity; civil society organization self empowerment; opposition parties negotiating from position of strength by refusing to participate in elections if the playing field is not level and for Gambians to show resolve and determination in dealing with Jammeh who has come to believe that he can do as he pleases in the country. It is time that we engage the international community in highlighting the plight of the Gambian people in order to avoid a Rwanda-type civil conflict in the country.

Freedom Newspaper: As the APRC celebrates another July 22Nd anniversary, some of the pioneers of the coup are gone. Sadibu Hydara is dead. Sana Bairo Sabally jailed and released. Edward Singhatey fired. What does this tells you  about Jammeh? Is he a betrayer or a no nonsense man?

A Kanteh: If evil was a four wheel transport, these four are the wheels. All of them have done what they have done out of malice. No wonder they are all on the dark side of history and will sooner or later pay the full price for their actions, with the exception of hydara who is dead. There was a network of betrayal between these men and the worst has not yet happen to them because they betrayed their country. They lied about everything just to remain in power. where is Baba Jobe, Ablie Kujabi etc? If jammeh can betray these people then surely he cannot be trusted.

Freedom Newspaper:  Do you think elections will remove Jammeh from power?

 A Kanteh: I have my doubts.

Freedom Newspaper: Many Gambians want to see Yahya Jammeh out of the Statehouse. Is arms struggle the right course to eject the despotic Jammeh regime?

A Kanteh: No. Where democratic options are available and viable, it is an easier preferable option to conflict and bloodshed. It all depends on Jammeh. If he respects the will of the majority as the basis for the manner of government, then conflict is avoidable.

Freedom Newspaper: What kind of Gambia, do you foresee in the event of Jammeh's demise? Will business go as usual?

A Kanteh: A free and prosperous Gambia for us all. I believe things can only get better after the Jammeh era which I hope will come sooner rather than later.

Freedom Newspaper: Why is it that  Mandingkas and Fullas are  the main casualties in Jammeh's Government, each time there is an alleged coup?

A Kanteh: You guess is as good as mine.

Freedom Newspaper: What kind of armed forces do you want to see in The Gambia?

A Kanteh: The Armed Forces should resume their rightful duties of protecting lives and properties as dictated by the constitution of the Republic. That is the only way the Armed Forces should function in a democracy.

Freedom Newspaper: As the Government observes this day, what message do you have for the military?

A Kanteh: Do what is right at all times; true accountability will surely knock on each man's door some day.

Freedom Newspaper: What does the future holds for The Gambia and the ruling APRC?

A Kanteh: Well The Gambia, our homeland, is greater than each of us and is here to stay. The future of the AfPRC as a party is in the balance due to it's records. A day will surely come when no one would want to be referred to as a member of this Party.

Freedom Newspaper: Any last words?

A Kanteh: Last words, not yet. I want to thank the readership of this leading online paper. And to you, able editor, keep up the good work. Freedom is on the way, on the right way.

Freedom Newspaper: Thanks brother Kanteh for granting us this interview.

A Kanteh: Thank you sir