Courtesy of RaakiTV

http://www.raaki.com/gambia.html

Gainako greatly appreciates RaakiTV http://www.raaki.com and Mr. Buharry for allowing us to post this video for our young readers who may not remember this particular event. I have been a long time critic of Sir Dawda for his style of leadership and soft sideness.
 
However, in watching the video I can really feel a sense of genuineness and sincerity in former President Jawara's voice for finally wanting to leave office and retire for good.

After all the tears that were shed by some elders who may have been terrified of him leaving, he still continued to warn his party that at some point they should prepare for leadership change and smooth transition.
 
I just wished that he had fulfilled his dream of leaving and transitioning power to someone else.  This documentary really has some very significant insights into the political landscape of the Gambia and the PPP party in particular. It clearly revealed that the PPP was a one man party and that there were some serious divisions within the party ranks that threatened the very existence of the party without Jawara. Thus many elders were seen weeping not for Jawara but for the uncertainty of their future.
 
The video also further revealed some disturbing mindsets of Gambian politics where loyalty is not for the country but for the leader and only him. It is the same kind of mindset that has been successfully passed onto the next generation of leadership. So it really shouldn't be surprising that Yahya Jammeh would want to clinch on to power by all means and following the foot steps of our first leader post independence.
 
I wonder what would have happened had Jawara left successfully? Who would have taken over the leadership and where would he has led our country? Would there have been any need for military take over? Would NCP in fact finally had the opportunity to win an election after several years of contesting just like Abdoulie Wade of Senegal?
 
I guess we would never know these answers but certainly the historic video is a must view and it is quite educative to the younger generation.