Dear Sirs, The Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) was established by the Constitutional Review Commission Act 2017. The Act empowers the Commission to draft a new constitution for the Republic of The Gambia, and to submit the same to the president, who shall publish the draft within six months. Pursuant to this statutory mandate, the CRC… Continue reading Open Letter to the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC)
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Jaliba Represents a Tradition
Jaliya; true Jaliya is a noble profession and is not just for anyone. The Jali holds a very high status in Manding culture. Article 13 of the Manding Gbara also known as the Kurugan Fuga states; "Never offend the Nyaras (the talented)." And goes further stating in Article 43: "Balla Fassèkè Kouyaté is nominated chief of… Continue reading Jaliba Represents a Tradition
Contentions On The New Constitution
The issue of citizenship has stirred the most passionate debates among us and a lot of my fellow countrymen are concerned about people being rendered stateless if the constitution takes a position that citizenship by birth cannot be automatically granted unless one of the child’s parents is a citizen. Contrary to widely held notions, Gambian… Continue reading Contentions On The New Constitution
Why Not PDOIS
On multiple occasions, I’ve been asked about my political leanings (as if they are not apparent) and also why, as a self-confessed socialist I am not on board the People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) train. “You sound smart” (I am not); “you are a reasonable person and have an objective look on… Continue reading Why Not PDOIS
“Darboe Should Resign”
You can't help but laugh listening to some of the Gambia's “political pundits”. Barrow’s worst nightmare will unravel if he fires VP Darboe or if VP Darboe resigns. Now you can go spin that to mean UDP is threatening/daring Barrow to fire Darboe. The politically objective know what is being highlighted here; the fallout. “Darboe… Continue reading “Darboe Should Resign”
The White Man’s Grave
Pioneers of any expedition assume every risk venturing into virtually unknown territory. They are usually ill-prepared and not fully informed on what to expect. European exploration into West Africa was no exception. When the Portuguese explorers first arrived in the middle of the 15th century, they met with hostile reception from the natives who attacked… Continue reading The White Man’s Grave
All or Nothing
When western education was first introduced and expanded, our predecessors were cautious and even openly resisted enrolling their children in school, especially the girl child. Their fear was that we will adopt the ways of aliens (Tubabu Silo). They were castigated, called illiterate and blamed for our backwardness. With time of course the dynamics changed,… Continue reading All or Nothing
Manufacturing Issues; What “Tribalism”?
It would appear we have a phobia in dealing with facts objectively. And that is if we are confronted to deal with it and there is no other way out, but we prefer to ignore as much as possible or worse slant it in our favor. We see the facts all around us and deny… Continue reading Manufacturing Issues; What “Tribalism”?
Maba Jahu Bah’s Campaigns
When Maba's raids started on the Soninki villages in Badibou, Colonel D'Arcy proceeded to the spot in H.M.S Dart and was able to get in communication with Maba who sent a message to say the war was over, that he was disbanding his army and that he had declined the kingship." That was not to… Continue reading Maba Jahu Bah’s Campaigns
Profile: Maba Jahu Bah
It appears that Maba Jahu Bah, like Foday Kaba Dumbuya whom we profiled earlier, did not just wake up to wage a holy war against the Soninki, there was a non-religious trigger. As noted earlier also, once the wars broke out, they take on a life of their own thereby creating a new identity/reason. In… Continue reading Profile: Maba Jahu Bah
Mankajang 