Tick
Tock! Tick Tock! When I hear the sound of the clock and how slow or fast it is
ticking , it reminds me that soon it will be January 19, a day when the
president-elect should be sworn in to lead the Smiling Coast of Africa, The
Gambia, my homeland, our homeland.
Indeed,
the clock is ticking nonstop and we have barely 14 days left, for each and
every Gambian and non-Gambians alike residing in the country, to know their
fate in the current political impasse gripping the nation.
Will
there be a peaceful transfer of power from the incumbent to the
president-elect?
The
clock is ticking fast, and women of this country sleep and wake up with
different stories each day, as some people, if not all, in the country have
taken up the role of an Information minister.
It
is 2017, another year that should be welcomed with smiles and happiness from
every Gambian, like we always do, but sadly this time it is a different story.
Some
Gambians do not even want January to come soon, because we have political
leaders in this country who cannot or do not want to play a peaceful political
game.
Thus
D-Day is almost here, and there is nothing positive that can assure Gambians
that there will be a peaceful transfer of power from the incumbent to the
president-elect; instead, all we could see and hear is the two leaders firing
statements at each other at every given opportunity.
A vague New Year’s message from each side,
that cannot even tackle the problems the nation is encountering as a result of
their political fight.
Can
someone please bring to their attention the sufferings of women and children?
Can someone please tell them that our markets are becoming lonely every day?
Are
they not aware that sons and daughters of this soil, who campaigned and voted
for them, are fleeing the country? Are they not aware that as they continue to
fight, we as a nation are losing money? If all of us flee the country, who will
you rule?
Businesses
are closing down; investors are running for their lives! People, particularly
women, no longer get the quantity of foodstuff or commodities they need to sell
at the markets.
This
beautiful country is falling apart, and still they cannot even sit on a
negotiating table and iron out their differences in the best interest of the
Gambians.
The
nation is weeping for peace so that lives and livelihoods can be protected. So
I took a walk at the gardens were women are trying to clear the land for yet
another gardening season, to seek their views and what they think of the political
impasse.
That
atmosphere then used to be peaceful, friendly and fun, but it is sad that fear
has now taken over and even a slight movement in the bushes will make everyone
will run for their lives.
Na
Binta, one of the women gardeners, told me that now women at the garden are
divided because of their political differences, and they hardly talk to each
other or even come together in a gathering, because no one knows who to trust.
She
told me that “we hear different news from different people, and the more
horrifying stories we get, the more frightened we are to an extent of wanting
to flee the country with our children.
“But
then also if I want to run away with my children, my mind will not be at ease
because I still have my other family members here.
“My
daughter, if Jammeh don’t want to step down, maybe there is something that he
wants that can bring peace. So I called on president- elect Barrow to engage
Jammeh in a dialogue so that they can all find a peaceful solution, before the
day in question.
“We
are frightened and sleeping and waking up every day with fear of losing people
you love; which is more painful than death itself, and this is our lives now as
Gambian women.”
Indeed,
living in fear has now become a part of our lives. The fear that there will be
military intervention in the country, come January 18 when the incumbent’s
reign expires and he refuses to step aside and allow a peaceful transfer of
power to the president-elect.
At
the Brikama Market, a vendor told me that “whenever I wake up in the morning
and look at the innocent faces of my children, my face will be covered in
tears.”
“They
are our children, the nation’s children and we owe it to them to give them an
environment where they will grow in peace. So on behalf of my children and
other children, we asked the incumbent and the president-elect to put children
first in any political decisions they are to make, come January 19.”
Looking
at her face and those eyes that glistened with tears, and may not have been
properly closed for many nights, I can only imagine the suffering she is going
through as a mother.
All
that a mother wants and wishes for is for her child to grow up into a
responsible adult like her, and be productive in a peaceful environment; but I
can tell from her choking voice that she has lost hope of a peaceful Gambia due
to the rumours that ravage the country like a bushfire.
My
Dear President Jammeh, we all know the fact that you said you believe in pan
Africanism, preached peace throughout your 22years of leadership; but what is
not deniable is the fact that you are a father to two lovely children and, as a
father, you must have an emotional attachment that you and your children share,
just like these mothers who are appealing to you.
So
as January 19 approaches, we hope that before the clock stops ticking, you will
sit on your favourite spot on GRTS TV and accept the will of God, the voice of
Gambians, and as well extend your fatherly love to the nation’s children and
allow a peaceful transfer of power to your successor.
In
your 22 years of leadership, we have witnessed situations where you showed your
firm stance, to fight against anyone or anything that would bring tears on the
faces of Gambian women; and now they are crying because of your decision of
staying in power after losing the election.
We
hope you will wipe their tears by reversing your decision. The peace you have
been preaching for the country to maintain is now in your hands to determine.
To
president-elect Barrow and your team, we hope you are trying very hard to
explore all possibilities to make sure that peace reigns, come the D-Day.
You
are a father and a husband to two beautiful women, and I believe you have
families across the country and, in case of violence, if you are safe, you may
not be able to guarantee their safety.
So
instead of you and the incumbent firing each other with statements, we hope you
sit on a negotiating table, hear each other out, forget about your personal
gains and work together for a peaceful transfer of power.
Remember,
put women and children first as the most vulnerable groups in any nation where
there is violent conflict.
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