Mr.
President, the game is over; it’s time for reconciliation and action.
The
Gambian population was distracted last week by violence that erupted between
the 3 Years Jotna protesters and the security forces, but we thanked God that
there were no deaths reported.
Now
that things have come back to normalcy, let’s continue praying for peace and
unity so that we won’t encounter such unnecessary protests again in the
country, which will only take the country back to worse and weaken our economy.
Mr.
President, there is need for national reconciliation and dialogue. We need to
open a new page and continue focusing on other important issues affecting the
livelihood of Gambians.
Major
challenges like fighting migration, child trafficking and creating jobs for the
youths are pending issues that need to be addressed. Prices of commodities in
the market are also on the rise.
Mr.
President, we appeal to you to give amnesty to the executive members of the 3
Years Jotna and drop all charges against them for the sake of peace and
national unity.
The
members of the 3 Years Jotna should also know that like everybody living in The
Gambia, they should respect the rule of law especially the constitution.
Everyone
should be law abiding to avoid troubles, respect one another and not use
threats, insults and castigating people through the social media. This is not
democracy.
Mr.
President, we also appeal to some people in the diaspora to desist from
sponsoring groups to instigate violence in the country whilst they and their
families are abroad. Let them use those monies to sponsor development projects
in their communities so that development can be decentralised. Let them invest
in the areas of health, education, electricity and water for the betterment of
the lives of the Gambian people. We appreciate their contribution to our
economy by providing over 300 million US dollars last year as remittance.
Mr.
President, the Gambia is a signatory of Article 19 of the UN People’s Right
which states that everybody has right to opinions and expression. The rights
include freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and
impact information and ideas through any media.
In
this regard, we appeal to you to reopen King FM and Home Digital FM radios.
Journalism
is a noble profession, and those in the profession should be very careful and
very responsible in promoting divergent views without hatred or disrespect.
Rwanda
is an example of how the media instigated the civil war.
In
The Gambia, we have 33 radio stations, six news papers and many TV stations.
Journalists should take the advantage of New Gambia to promote peace and unity
and not violence.
Mr.
President, the Gambian judiciary under the leadership of Justice Hassan Jallow
should be commended for demonstrating its independence. An example was set last
week when Hon. Ya Kumba Jaiteh won her case against the President for her
unlawful dismissal from the National Assembly.
As
Hon. Jaiteh said: “Hopes have now been restored in our judiciary.” Unlike
during Jammeh’s time when we had kangaroo courts and judgements being dictated
by one man.
Your
government should encourage the judiciary personnel and assist them in some of
their challenges.
Finally,
Mr. President, as father of the nation, let’s forgive and forget and work
together for the betterment of The Gambia.
For
the Gambia, our homeland
Good
day!