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How the “struggle” against Jammeh has become a race for self-promotion
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How the “struggle” against Jammeh has become a race for self-promotion

The struggle against President Jammeh began in the Diaspora. It was what many described as a movement against "dictatorship". They fought relentlessly to bring an end to Jammeh’s grip on power. Infact, some took the bullet for it.

After the news that Jammeh has conceded defeat and congratulated president-elect Barrow, many young Gambians around “Kairaba Avenue” quickly joined the struggle turning it into a movement about self-promotion.

One of the most outspoken among them is  an all-of-a-sudden political blogger called Nyang Njie.  Before the elections, he had barely made political commentaries. And when he did, he would treaded cautiously beating about the bush. But today, like many other "Kairaba Avenue kids", he is capitalising on the moment portraying himself as a fearless Jammeh critic.

One of his Facebook followers described him as an “opportunist”.

“Nyang, also known as Daddy Njie,  is the biggest opportunist yet. The new government should be very careful not to associate with him because he has a very big mouth. He is doing all this just to secure a position in the new government.”

Some of the ‘new strugglers’ recently launched a Facebook campaign dubbed Gambia Has Decided. They want to frustrate Jammeh to leave State House before January 19 when his constitutional mandate ends.

Many admire their courage but fundamentally disagree with their approach.Even though speaking against Jammeh may be welcomed, we need to watch out for people with with ulterior motives for self-aggrandizement.

Their “Stay Home” protest against Jammeh’s decision to reject the election results was not well received by the ‘original strugglers’.

Pata Saidykhan wrote on Facebook: “I suggest we be patient and let the leadership who have been absolutely very mature and efficient in handling things, to proceed. Our frustrations in not knowing what's on their cards must not compel us to undermine and compel them. And I hope they come to tell us how they think about this Stay Home Initiative. Certainly, if anything, it's not going to affect Jammeh in anyway more than he is right now.”

He continued: “Jammeh is still President until January 18. We've fought and waited for far too long to create chaos or mistake when we're in the driving seat. Any sort of protest that could hurt the incoming government, especially economically, is not prudent.”

A social media commentator that spoke to What’s On Gambia said if Nyang and his colleagues around Kairaba Avenue are not checked, they could besmirch the struggle’s reputation and cause. 

 

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