By Sarjo Bayang

Sarjo Bayang challenges Gambia government and president Jammeh to be realistic about a development promise of transforming the poor African nation world class super power in four years from now

To repeat the claim of transforming Gambia into super power next four years is the most untruthful and biggest misleading utterance by Gambian president Yahya Jammeh. In next 4 years, Jammeh will trun around to blame demons and bush animals for not letting him deliver the unrealistic fantasised promise. Even the most dented minds crowding around Jammeh don't believe a word of this deliberate deception. It is unrealistic, faked, and nothing near feasible. Let the government produce a sound review report of Vision 2020 since the loud pronouncement many years. Gambia government ministers and technicians should be feeling lot shy about hearing the head of state making a promise that the whole world knows will not happen.

Building personal fortune out of national resources

Since coming to power by force of arms, everyone has seen the creeping of Jammeh from rags to riches using national resources to get rich quick. In one million times, Jammeh has to be reminded that his reason for staging a coup according to him was to fight corruption, ensure transparency, allow probity, and remain readily accountable to people of Gambia. All that has been tested with clear proof that Jammeh didi not speak the truth as seen in 17 years gross abuse of power, deliberately negating the very promises.

In real sense, there has been more abuse of political power by Jammeh in 17 years compared to the total of purported abuse by all the ministers and deposed president Jawara put together in 30 years. The amount of ilgotten wealth amassed by Jammeh is far more than all the past ministers and Jawara put together. Jammeh is far too corrupt and totally lack every element of trustful person in his handling of public office. On the back drop of what Jammeh amply demonstrated in terms of his grossly abusing public office, Gambians have every reason not to believe any more promises. I stand to be challenged in putting it before the whole Gambian nation and anyone in this world that by next five years, Jammeh may get richer through usurping state resources, Gambia as a nation will get only poorer and life more difficult for everyone else.

Grand scheme of time buying

Not being a complete fool, Jammeh is aware of time as an element life progression. When he makes these unrealistic promises, he knows nobody will lynch him for failing. He knows he is not accountable. He knows he does not need to produce truly comprehensive technical report and realistic plan of action.

Above all, he wants to add up more years towards the foolhardy ambition of destroying perceived and real opponents while opening chances for those crowding around him with no regards to merit. The other truth is that by staying in power longer, his children will grow and take control of the illicit money and material empire he now amasses. In the process too, many of his political opponents would have grown older and step out of the ring.

Unfair electoral process

Gambian political parties have been warned by this author many years ago about the tricks Jammeh employs to keep coming up with voter numbers even though he knows he does not command mass support. Political opponents of Jammeh have been warned that the environment they operate in is dangerous and unsuitable. It is created by Jammeh to ensure nobody else gains from it. Jammeh has bogus laws defending his grossly abusive misconducts. He sets an electoral scheme that claims to be operating within those same bogus legal provisions. Knowling fully well that after the numbers are declared, the next stage is to get sworn in by the same bogus legal system, Jammeh is confident that any pursuit of electoral fraud court cases will only end up in the thrash bin.

Other political parties if they are serious about unseating Jammeh and his gang, it has to be done on another platform. One way out of this twisted situation is by destroying the political environment of Jammeh and settling for a free, trusted, and balanced political environment. Had other political parties considered tackling the dangerous and unsuitable environment long time ago, Jammeh could not have stayed on this far. It is not enough to boycott elections though that is part of it. After boycotting elections, political parties have to decide the type of environment that best suits everyone. This can be tabled for discussion with other stakeholders including development partners. The most fatal error of politics with other parties is getting used by Jammeh to validate his bogus claim to victory each time round.

Bad body politics

Using influential members of every community to contest under his part is one way that Jammeh is able to deceive Gambians. Around the country, Jammeh has been banking on support from locally influential persons who serve as political reps or district commissioners. These people for the majority of them play bad cards to see Jammeh win. The opportunity accorded them means that they have to work harder to keep their ruling party in power. In that process, they will do everything to canvass votes. Lot of money exchanges hands in the process.

Curious observers wonder why Jammeh has to go that far in clinging on a political position he denounced as dirty and improper. To those who may continue doubting, Jammeh is likely worried that by not being president any more, he will be tested to the full. A possible exit strategy is for Jammeh to put his trusted bodies in position so that when he is no more in power, they will defend his stolen money and property fleet.

Whatever Jammeh's hopes and dreams, it is not possible for him transforming Gambia a super power. That is a time buying scheme. It is full time political demagogy and grand deception. In next five years, given that Jammeh is not swept away by other forces greater than him, he will be challenged to tell Gambians how it has not been possible making one of Africa's poorest nations a super power of world class ranking. To those Jammeh enablers, you have to look for examples around the world and know that this scheme of destruction is not going to last. Other very powerful persons have failed and Jammeh is not immune. How many of you would want to drown with Jammeh when the tides get hostile and sweep him away?

Empty promises far too much

No amount of empty promises will lift Gambia from the abysmal depth of poverty that president Jammeh ditched the nation since he seized power by coup on 22 July 1994. Jammeh is not bothered about how much destruction and self inflicting damage to personal image he suffers by making loud pronouncements knowing fully well he has no means and never committed to doing.

To you Mr President Jammeh, speak the truth with no fear or favour. You need not pledge transforming Gambia into world class super power. It is unrealistic and never going to happen with you. Jammeh you can enjoy better bonus time by stepping out of Gambian politics. Those sycophants crowding around you will not be there when your day is over. Look at more examples around the world. Make a wise decision before others decide about you. Say the truth. Keep your promises. Trive to live in peace and to leave in pieces.