Article 20
By:Sulayman Lecturer Darboe
Independence in illusion-The Dark Side
Perhaps, a question first: What type of an independent country would it be like for a country who struggles to efficiently provide basic education, jobs, security(food and human) but rather has the citizens largely malnourished, living in absolute poverty, unemployed, and largely uneducated? Who is to be blamed? Largely public authorities but generally every Gambian!
_"A truly Independent Nation is a state that does not own any allegiance in any way to any other state. It is free to do all that other nations that are independent do. It conducts its own business and international trade without influence from other nations. It makes its own laws and runs its own government".-Keneth B Clarke_
While The Gambia was wombed by the British decades ago, vibrant and dedicated citizens stood up to agitate for self governance. After series of struggles through dialogue on different platforms, occasions and environments, small Gambia was delivered in 1965 and became a republic in 1970.
During this crucial time, pessimist amongst the Europeans especially the British; doubted excessively about whether self-governance is feasible considering the location, size among other reasons at the time. However, with the dedication and contribution of men with foresight who scaled national interest above the interest of self, many of those were doubtful of whether Gambia could stand on her own became amazed.
The first republic of The Gambia at it's early stage was productive socially, politically and economically. The Gambians saw themselves as Gambians and thus work towards a sustainable Gambia where the future for generation yet unborn will be guaranteed. The beautiful Gambia and her people started to drain in how we perceive ourselves and our country in the late part of the first republic. Corruption became popular, institutional failures and other vices were traceable. This forms the background of why the "July 22 Boys" ousted the First Republic.
Interestingly, the background of why the first Republic was overthrown even became more naughty and common during the second republic. Corruption was like drinking from the tap. It was like survival of the fittest. Most of those who pretend to hate corruption by fighting it were in fact the most corrupted Gambians during the second republic. An evidence to this are the numerous revelations from The Truth Reconciliations and Reparations Commission(TRRC) where entrusted public authorities were engaged in serious financial crimes. One may argue that there was infrastructure development during the Jammeh era. But, how many Gambians were living in hunger and thus cannot access the so-called infrastructural development brought. What is the essence of building a hospital when you cannot provide drugs for the citizenry. Men were killed and brutalized and some were killed in cold blood.
The present government's effort in promoting and protecting the features of a independent state (Gambia) is not encouraging. An independent nation should proof it's independency by observing and protecting fundamental human rights, providing economic based initiatives to secure food self-sufficiency.
The Independence Day of The Gambia must not be publicly celebrated but instead in our houses and workplaces to recognize the efforts of Sir Kairaba Jawara, ED Francis Small and others for their selflessness.
The Gambia gained independence but today, poverty, unavailability of Jobs, insecurity, dependency on foreign aids(loans and grants), intrusion of other independent nation in the governance process of our Country are common.
Gambian citizens on their side continue to blame stakeholders but remain unwilling and irresponsible in to work for the progress of our nation.
We may not agree collectively but, our independence is an illusion.
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