Mr. President:

The law of gravity tells us that things tend to fall downwards - that is, whatever goes up with force must come down. History also tells us that former African leaders such as Idi Amin Dada, Mobutu Sese Seko, Sani Abacha, Valentine Strasser, Charles Taylor and Samuel K. Doe; all left office with ugly and pitiful human rights records. These brutal and rapacious leaders did not leave office peacefully or honorably. Taylor is behind bars facing gross human rights violations; Doe was brutally killed; Strasser was toppled and he is now brooked; Dada and Sese Seko both died in exile, and who knows how exactly Abacha died in office.

Mr. President, you should study the history of these leaders in order to get your acts together. It is hypothesized that power attained by force will be taken by force. Or if you rule by the gun you will most likely die by the gun. I am not in any way suggesting or condoning to any undemocratic takeover of your government, but oppressed people cannot remain oppressed for the rest of their lives. While I don’t claim to predict the future, I can tell you Mr. President, with some degree of confidence that this is the beginning of the end of your government. I say this is not a matter of mere speculation, but from your form of governance and contemporary history.

Mr. President, for fourteen years, you have ruled the Gambia with an iron fist. You have ordered or condoned murder and torture. Your failure to rule by the law and prevent corruption in the Gambia is a major moral failure. It is also a political failure; lowering the credibility of the political atmosphere in the Gambia. The Constitution should be used to restrain government powers and guarantee citizens their rights, but you have used the Constitution to restrain people you don’t like. Thus far, you have specialized in corruption, lying, torture, and murdering innocent Gambians and foreigners.

Mr. President, where did you get the money to build your Kanilia Mansion? Who killed Ousman Koro Ceesay? How did Sadibou Hydara die? Who ordered the killing of 14 innocent students while exercising their rights to peaceful assembly? Who ordered the killing of 44 innocent Ghanaians and 10 Nigerians in the Gambia in 2005? The recently released Amnesty International report on your ugly human rights record is very disturbing. It shows your evilness and lack of respect for the rule of law.

Mr. President, I challenge you to address these questions and most importantly, disclose all you bank accounts and assets that you amassed in the last 14 years. This is your chance to tell us that you are transparent.

Mr. President its not that Gambians hate you, we just don’t like the way you run our beautiful country. We don’t like it when people who disagree with you are held incommunicado. We don’t like it when innocent Gambians and foreigners are killed by your actions. We don’t like it when press freedom and journalists are trampled upon by your vicious agents. We don’t like it when you lie about economic and political liberalization. We don’t like you because you lowered the moral standing of Gambia and Gambians. The Gambia used to be the epicenter of political freedom in Africa but your lack of discipline and intellectual acuity is costing Gambia immensely.

Mr. President, you cannot run a country in the 21st century with a 19th or 20th century mentality.

Mr. President, if you think the Gambia belongs to you, then you are mistaken. Of course, you are mistaken if you claim that you can cure HIV/AIDS, Diabetics and Hypertension with no medical training. Yes, you must be mistaken when you said “let the whole world go to hell”.

Mr. President, you are mistaken if you hire, fire, and rehire your cabinet members. You must be hallucinating from your infamous herbal medicine. My advice to you, Mr. President, is keep drinking your herbal medicine - it may eventually cure your problems because your actions and behaviors are worth diagnosing.

Do you think that Gambians are cowards like you? Or do you think Gambians are as irrational as you? Absolutely not!

Mr. President, we are not afraid of you. We are just cleaver, rational, and responsible than you and your cronies. We will speak up for truth and justice and fight your unjust policies through every civilized means. We will not live our lives in fear because of your repressive policies.

Mr. President, I am afraid that you will not be living comfortable life exile. Mile Two prison is calling for you.

Mr. President, you are a shame to Gambians and Africa as a whole. I can’t wait to see you in handcuffs awaiting trial for corruption and crime against humanity. Thus far, it looks like there will be no light at the end of the tunnel for you and your cronies. Shame on you and your government. I hope you come to terms with your disastrous actions. I also hope you leave office soon. Lets us all hope that you get your acts together. 

Foday Darboe

A graduate student at Portland State University. He is pursuing a Master's degree in Conflict Resolution.