Gambia: Then Yahya Jammeh Like the Biblical Dog, Returned to His Vomit

President Yahya Jammeh and his wife, Zeinab Suma

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When the West African country, The Gambia went for Elections about a fortnight ago, I did not pay much attention. I knew it was a foregone conclusion. Yahya Jammeh the maverick dictator of 22 years would be announced winner irrespective of what transpired at the ballot.

His greatest enduring competitor and harsh critic for many years, Usainou Darboe of the United Democratic Party was in jail – a normal thing is a free and fair election in Africa.

The army on whose back he rode in a coup two decades ago was apparently still backing him and meddling in the election in a partisan manner – another normal thing in a democratic election in this part of the world.

All the other things that matter like the Central Bank and the election officials were in the bag -or so it was thought.

How wrong. Not only was Jammeh defeated by an opposition coalition led by Adama Barrow, but he also went on national television and conceded defeat.




He did not stop there he called his opponent and wished him well. He said what had happened was the will of Allah and that he would never rule Gambians without their mandate.

It was shocking. The theory of the incumbent of a banana republic, deep in the basket, not giving up power; had been obliterated by a dictator.

Well, a week later, Jammeh like the biblical dog, returned to lick his vomit- making things ‘normal.’ He rejected the result sighting ‘abnormalities’ with the electoral process! Whatever happened to the will of Allah?

Wherever this one ends, there is still an enduring question that begs an answer. Why is it that particularly African presidents do not want to leave office even when they are well past their sell-by date?

It may be something to do with the inadequacy that comes from the obscure backgrounds from which many of us originate.

Many times when people have wallowed in poverty for years, living off hand outs, charity and at the mercy of Good Samaritans, they develop a feeling of inferiority and latent anger with the world they view as unfair.

They also develop a survival instinct, become resilient and determined. Many times for one to get to terms with this situation, they feel the need to bring it to the attention of the world that they are not as insufficient as circumstances have defined them this far.

One of the best ways and avenues to do this is by contending for leadership at the highest level possible. It puts all men below their feet.

It brings us to the world of African politics. It has been a rough one right from the colonial days. It has always been a fight.

First against recalcitrant white men, then the intransigent post colonial dictators and the superfluous semi-military new breed of African leaders who came to power in the late 80s.
By Nicholas Sengoba I The Monitor



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Michael Onas
Africa - Online Founder & Senior Editor Africa - Online.Com was founded by Michael Onas in 1997, in the years since the site has grown to become a world leader in African news sector, with millions of readers around the world and followers on social media.