By Banjugu Nyangado
I neither can remember much about the coming into power the government of Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) nor the reign of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). But growing up, I learned that the AFPRC government came into being at a time when Gambians really wanted change. Witnessing that government ruled The Gambia for twenty-two years, I still find it shocking how such government could have been termed, in most quarters at the time, as the savior of The Gambia.
Trying to find explanations, I did some research, and nothing was really interesting except perhaps a video I saw on YouTube which showed how articulate and determined Yahya Jammeh was immediately after taking over power. He was young, filled with anger and frustrations just like many Gambians around about his age. He constantly blamed the PPP government and how important it was for him to save The Gambia. The speech was well-rounded trying to justify the political takeover and portrayed Jawara’s regime as corrupt and inefficient and at the same time promising a new era of democracy.
Although from the video it was clear to me that AFPRC was particularly welcomed because the PPP government had lost touch with everyday Gambians and knew not of their daily struggles. That was the opportunity the AFPRC government capitalized on to gain popularity and acceptance. Twenty-two years later, it was clear that, that same government in the process of consolidating itself in power lost touch with the struggles of everyday Gambians as well.
Notwithstanding, Jammeh tried to address what he advocated for in that video. However, the truth is corruption was never eradicated but at least by their vision and promise it was out from where it was during the PPP government and shifted elsewhere. Schools were built just not enough competent teachers which could be based on so many reasons. But by being a devil’s advocate, at least some of the problems they highlighted, they did put the efforts to tackle whether they were the right ways or not are something we can ruminate on.
After twenty-two years it became clear too that Gambians were fed up with Jammeh and when the Coalition government won the election in 2016, it was a mixed feeling for me. Don’t get me wrong, change was long overdue, but then the feeling of ‘’we’ve been here before’’ led to that doubt. Haven’t we been promised of a brighter Gambia in 1994; but twenty-two years later, where did we end? Although both governments are completely different but they all came at a time when Gambians really yearned for change.
For instance, the biggest problems Gambians faced during Jammeh’s regime were its poor human rights record and accountability. The government was a one man show with no checks and balances. Therefore, it is obvious that the least we expect from the current government is ensuring freedoms without any encroachment. It becomes a problem when after a year, the government is falling short on this expectation. I am conscious of the fact that there are certain problems that are deeply rooted, but Gambians wanted change at least that’s what the excitement was all about.
When Jammeh took over in 1994, he tried to move away from what his predecessor’s government was notorious for, at least for the few first years. Shortly thereafter, he indulged in the worst abuses unimaginable by the government he overthrew. The current government is, however, falling short in radically moving away from what Jammeh’s government was ruthlessly notorious for. Gambians voted for change and this requires a complete overhaul of the old system. One way to do so is allowing Gambians to exercise their rights without any hindrance. Any encroachment by the government leads to a repetition of the abuses Gambians rejected and voted against. This translates to accepting criticisms and allowing citizens to participate in the day to day accountabilities of representative governments. Again, selectively changing laws to suit one or two individuals whilst a greater part of the law is oppressive left many citizens feel they are still under the yoke of the Jammeh regime.
Generally, power corrupts and sometimes overstaying in power fails a government as the people they represent are ultimately left behind. But nonetheless, I wish I can be more excited or at least be as excited as my folks were in 1994. They had to wait a couple of years for their excitement to evaporate like a splash in the pan on fire, but indeed it did for two decades of misrule.
Banjugu Nyangado is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of The Gambia who currently lives in the United States of America.