A renowned and respected Gambian Political Scientist Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, has warned against President Adama Barrow, staying in power beyond the three years transition period or the five-year mandate stipulated by the constitution. Dr. Ceesay warns that Gambia’s peace and stability cannot be guaranteed if Mr. Barrow decides to cling onto power beyond the stipulated time period mentioned above, while citing the possibilities of the military overthrowing his government. “Now, if Barrow decides to stay beyond the five years, this can cause problems for the Gambia, and it might lead to another military dictatorship in the Gambia. So, that is why for me, it is important; this is very, very important; and every Gambian must really fight; any Gambian who really believes; is a strong democrat and believes in the national interest, Barrow should not be allowed to run in the next elections,” Dr. Ceesay, who is a Political Science Professor at the University of the Gambia told Freedom Radio Gambia during an exclusive interview.
“Gambia’s political stability and democratic gains consolidation cannot be guaranteed if he stays beyond five years. Because I will repeat it: That Barrow going after five years, could really bring another military dictatorship in the Gambia. Like I said Pa, self-perpetuating rule; because you know ECOMIG will not stay in the Gambia forever. They will leave at some point; the rate of nepotism and corruption that we are seeing now is reminiscent of the Gambia of the eighties. And if it continues; that is the reason why the military intervened in 1994; it is because of that,” he added.
Dr. Ceesay reminded President Barrow that a man’s word is his honor. He said it was Barrow, who told the Gambian nation, including the Senegalese press, that he was going to honor the three year transition period agreed by the Coalition government.
Barrow, he said, also promised that he was not going to run after his three-year mandate. But what we are witnessing now, he went on, is Barrow, reneging from his original promise. He said Barrow has clearly communicated to Gambians during his recent meet the farmers tour that he wants to stay in power beyond the three year transition period.
“I think President Adama Barrow should honor his word. He had an agreement in the form of an MOU with his peers. And the agreement was that the person, who is elected as the flag-bearer, should only rule for three years and then we will call for fresh elections. You have to understand the spirit of the MOU. The whole idea was that we are going to establish a new constitution for within three years, which could allow for elections to take place,” Dr. Ceesay remarked.
“So, for me, I think he should honor his words. If he for some reason sees that the three years isn’t enough for him to do the necessary constitutional reform; the TRRC and so on and so forth; I think it is just apt for him to consult again with the people he sat with to say look: We agreed on three years, but I cannot do the three years; I want to go for another two years; for another five years; and if we all agree, why not; but that agenda is difficult now because he has burnt bridges. He has elbowed out most of his coalition partners; that wasn’t a wise way to do,” he added.
Dr. Ceesay warns that there are far reaching political ramifications associated with Barrow ruling the Gambia beyond five years. He further warns that any attempt on the side of Barrow to self-perpetuate himself in power, could cost the impoverished West African nation dearly.
“For the sake of maintaining our democratic gains after the transition; and also, for the sake of the supreme national interest of the Gambia, Barrow should not go beyond the five years. Whether he will go after the three years, that is up to him and the coalition partners. They are the ones to make that agreement, but for the five years, I don’t think it is in the interest of the Gambia, for Barrow to go beyond the five years. It is not in the interest of the Gambia, for Barrow to run in the next Presidential elections; because why? The reason is that: One, one of the reasons why we had this transition and the MOU is to inject a new democratic culture in the Gambia. The spirit is to stop self-perpetuating rule. Instil a new democratic culture, where a leader voluntarily relinquishes power. This will not only send a strong signal that our democracy is maturing, but it also sets a very important political precedent,” he said.
When asked what makes him believe that Barrow’s prolonged to stay in power could lead to another military dictatorship in the Gambia, Dr. Ceesay remarked: “ Because the whole idea is to stop self-perpetuating rule. Because if Barrow runs for the next elections, the playing field will not be leveled. Obviously, if Barrow has during the transition shown tendencies whereby he blatantly engages in constitutional infractions by receiving gifts and so on and so forth. There is no reason for us to believe that Barrow will not use the state resources to win the next elections. And you know African politics… the power of incumbency, or the advantage of incumbency. So, if Barrow stays for five years; this five years, and win the next elections; definitely he will be there for fifteen years; fifteen and twenty what is the difference?,” he rhetorically asked.
“What happens is that we are going to repeat the same cycle of self-perpetuating rule. So, there is no guarantee that there cannot be another young military officer, who will just think look, it is enough; it is enough; we are also going to take over the country. So, for me, that is why I say, we should set a good precedent; we should take break from the past; we should reset the democratic culture and instill a new democratic culture in the Gambia,” he added.
Dr. Ceesay also said Gambians should put all hands on deck to prevent Barrow from prolonging his stay in power. He said Barrow has so far proven that he is not only incompetent to run the country, but has also betrayed his coalition partners by firing them.
“Barrow will do favor for himself; he will do himself a favor; the Gambia a favor and the world a favor; he will earn the respect of every Gambian; he will earn the respect of posterity; he will earn the respect of the whole world, if Barrow after the three or the five years, and said look, I have been given a task to do certain reforms; I have done them; I am going to organize elections; let Gambians go find those interested to run; come and run and let the Gambian people to choose; and he retreats; and I think that would be the best think that would happen to the Gambia in the 21st century,” he said.
“I am sure Barrow going beyond the five years will do more harm to the Gambian democracy than good. And as a citizen, it is my right to raise these issues that I think can harm the Gambia. I don’t see anything good in Barrow going beyond the five years. For the three years, it is debatable. If he cannot do all what he wants to do in three years, let him consult with the coalition partners. But after five years, I think for the benefit; for the supreme national interest; for the benefit of Gambia’s democracy; Barrow should not run because if he runs; he wouldn’t do himself a favor; he wouldn’t do the Gambians a favor, and he wouldn’t do anybody a favor,” he warned.
“If Barrow stays beyond the five years, then there is no new Gambia; then there was no transition. It was just kind of continuation; there is no change; it is a continuation; that is from Jawara’s thirty years; to Jammeh’s twenty-two years; to Barrow’s fifteen or twenty years. So, for me, it doesn’t make any sense. That’s is why it is important for Barrow to self-reflect and understand why he was elected as flag bearer; and then look into the future and know that the best think he could do is not to run again in the next Presidential elections,” Dr. Ceesay told me.
The post GAMBIA: BREAKING NEWS: BARROW’S PROLONGED STAY IN POWER COULD USHER ANOTHER MILITARY DICTATORSHIP IN THE GAMBIA-DR. ISMAILA CEESAY WARNS! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.