We
would like to congratulate all our people for electing new parliamentarians, in
a spirit of peace, harmony and love, save for some snag in the heat onto the
voting day.
We
also congratulate those elected and are hoping that they do what is expected of
them.
The
electorate would really expect them to look at the people’s socio-economic
lives, to pressure the government of the day to build roads, electricity and
water supply, to improve the health, education and communication sectors, among
other key areas of national development.
We
know the current regime is facing serious financial constraints, as it has been
reported that government coffers “are virtually empty” since former President
Jammeh was alleged to have embezzled 82 million Euros from the state coffers.
We
are also expecting the new parliamentarians to act on behalf of the people that
elected them and not to be rubberstamp.
There
are some important draconian laws which are not in conformity with our
democratic principles.
The
just concluded parliamentary election, with the new Gambia, has paved the way
to strengthen our democracy. Each and every political party should have
measured its weight by now and their leaders should be prepared to work hard
for the people to ensure political maturity, social cohesion and economic
growth and development in The Gambia. This is why they have been elected by the
people and not to turn out to be lords over them, or in other words ‘gold
diggers’, feeding like vampires on state resources to the detriment of national
development.
Politicians
need political base and structures, as well as to act in accordance with the
law. It is not merely during campaign, when vote is needed, that politicians
should try to be or reach out to the people.
The
APRC was annihilated in the elections because former President Jammeh was
accused of human rights abuse, such as killing people and embezzling public
funds. This has contributed enormously to the downfall of the APRC party.
The
success of the United Democratic Party (UDP) in becoming now the largest
political party is as a result of the fact that their leader, Ousainou Darboe,
and his party members and supporters made a lot of sacrifices including
challenging the former regime to bringing about political reforms and stopping
human rights abuse.
We
also commend the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, Alieu Momarr
Njai, and his team for a job well done in both the presidential and
parliamentary elections, as this time around, all the results of the National
Assembly elections were announced within 24 hours. This has put The Gambia on
the map again and projected its democratic pattern and electoral system as a
case study for other African countries to emulate.
Now
that elections have passed, the new government in the new Gambia should work
hard to deliver the goods and live up to expectations. They should try to
encourage more investors into the country to have in place lucrative
investments that would create more jobs. The government should also try its
level best to solving the country’s energy challenge.
Government
funds should also be used in the right direction, even as it sets up a
commission of enquiry to rectify the misdeed of Yahya Jammeh.
On
the other hand, it is natural to note that things would not be rosy at the
initial stage of steering state affairs, especially considering the
circumstances leading to the new dispensation.
Therefore
people should also be patient, give their support and advice; rather than
criticizing without objectivity.
Let’s
work and pray for peace, national unity and reconciliation, as the AU and UN
said over the weekend.
The
special representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the
Sahel, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, has urged all Gambians, especially stakeholders
in the political realm, to put the national interests above all other
considerations. This should be the spirit and focus of all Gambians as the
Barrow government moves ahead with the national reform agenda, responding to
the legitimate expectations of the people.
The
AUEOM has also called on the government to focus on national reconciliation in
view of the events of December 2016 to January 2017.
It
encourages the people of The Gambia to tow the path of peaceful coexistence
with respect for religious, ethnic and political differences.
Put
national interest first
Dr
Mohamed Ibn Chambas
