Foroyaa Online, 12 April 2010, Author: Publisher

 

Editorial: Interface of two Administrations Elderly Statesman Jawara's Historic Book Launching

Foroyaa's Managing Editor, Sam Sarr, did witness the launching of the autobiography of Ex- President Dawda Kairaba Jawara. All the members of the Editorial Board were invited and they delegated the Managing Editor to represent all of them.

We do admit from the report that the Ex President has the fundamental objective to leave a legacy behind. On the other hand, the current President wants to be seen to have conducted a justifiable coup d'etat. How these two contradictory aims could be done on the same platform was the irony and challenge of the day.

The current Ministers were there and so were the ambassadors, religious leaders, National Assembly Members, security chiefs, some former members of Jawara's cabinet and public service and other personalities. The mixture of the past and present was orchestrated by the Kora Players and the traditional praise singers who played the old tunes such as "Jawara ila Jamaanoo Diyaata" (Jawara's time was nice) but would also conclude that every person has his or her day and that Jammeh has done a unique thing in Africa by according a high status to Ex- President Jawara. One Jali Tamba Suso is reported to have led the others into singing praises and recalling past glories as the audience dipped their hands in their pockets to decorate the hands of the praise singers with dalasi notes.

Serious business started when President Jammeh arrived. The National Anthem put everyone on their feet. As the past and the present blended to put Jawara's legacy in black and white, both leaders should draw the fundamental lesson that political succession is possible and inevitable; that it should be a matter for the people and that it is best done in a peaceful and democratic manner so that a whole list of former leaders could be maintained, all of whom should work together to give meaning to these words of the National Anthem: "Let justice guide our action towards the common good and join our diverse people to prove man's brotherhood."

In our view, President Jammeh could have given an additional historical significance to the occasion by announcing his prerogative to release Femi Peters without conditions. It is however better late than never. As Gambians now turn the pages of the book to know what is behind the cover, we should all remind ourselves the great task that lies ahead in remedying all deficits in liberty and prosperity and build a society where our diverse people are joined to promote the common good. Ex-President Jawara has been favoured by history to produce his autobiography. This is a rare opportunity enjoyed by few leaders.

Foroyaa wishes to express appreciation for the invitation and would take note of the salient points of the book in any future review. The chapter of the past has been written according to Ex President Jawara's memory and diary. Others will do the same. However, what is not written yet are the chapters of the future. They are in the making through the deeds we do. This is the time to learn from past mistakes to avoid future ones.

 

Foroyaa Online, 12.04.10, by Sarjo Camara Singhateh

FORMER GAMBIAN PRESIDENT LAUNCHES HIS AUTOBIOGRAPY, 'KAIRABA',

"46 Months of hard work but without regret"

Says D.K Jawara

 

The 85 year old former Gambian president, Dawda Kairaba Jawara, who became the first Gambian leader from 1965 to 1994, has launched his autobiography at a ceremony held on Saturday, 10 April, at the Kairaba Beach Hotel. The book entitled 'Kairaba' celebrates the life and times of the President of the first Republic.

Giving an overview of how it came about, former President Jawara said he first conceived the idea of writing his biography way back in 1999. He actually started writing in 2006. This was after he made up his mind during the Gambia's 41st Independence anniversary when he was invited by the current president to grace the occasion which also coincided with his 82nd birthday. He said his memory and diaries became extremely important.

According to Jawara, some of the photos in the book were recovered from his kids, neighbours and other people and not only from official documents. He said "It took me 46 months but without regret today." He thanked president Jammeh for his valuable support as well as his own family, including his two wives who stood by him all throughout.

 

In his speech, President Jammeh said, "We did not stage a coup to hurt President Jawara," He added that they took power to contribute to the development of the nation. He commended Jawara for what he described as his foresight and good leadership. He further described Jawara as someone who has a sense of parental responsibility; that he is a father and a grandfather. President Jammeh praised the former president as a good and respected leader and urged all and sundry to buy the book. President Jammeh pledged to buy one hundred thousand dalasi worth of the books and bought seven books at ten thousand dalasi each for embassies and missions, including the American Embassy, British High Commission, Sierra Leonean High Commission, Taiwanese Embassy, United Nations etc. He again bought another four books at twenty-five thousand dalasi each.

In his review of the book, Mr Monie Ralph Captan, former Foreign Minister of Liberia and present Chairman of Comium Liberia and President of Liberia Chamber of Commerce, said "Kairaba' is a story of an African leader with both African and European stories. He said it is a rich and honest testimony of the author, himself. Mr. Captan said in some pages of the book where the author captures events showing a movement from a restricted party to unifying party (that is from Peoples' Protectorate Party to Peoples Progressive Party) have shown the foresightedness of the author. He said the book entails the life and times of Sir Dawda, who was the leader of this country for almost forty-years. Mr Captan assured that Sir Dawda's book is worth reading, as it entails events dating back to the time when he was a veterinary officer, Minister of education, Prime minister and then the President, the establishment of the African

Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, the abortive coup in 1981, the Senegambia Confederation, the 1994 coup and life in exile in the United Kingdom. He described the conciseness and candour with which Jawara gives a graphic account of the events leading up to his reconciliation with President Jammeh

Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, current President of ECOWAS Commission, for his part, said Jawara has taken a right step in the right direction. He said this is the first of its kind in the sub-region and in Africa . He said African leaders, especially former Presidents in West Africa , should try and emulate Jawara's example of writing memoirs. He described Jawara as a true son of Africa and said that through this memoirs we will have a good record on our political leaders and society.

On her part Madam, Esther John Audu, High Commissioner of Nigeria, who represented the former president of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo, said she was mandated by the latter to deliver a word of wisdom on Ex-President Jawara. She said the former Nigerian President said during the time of President Jawara he had spent two weeks with him in the Gambia when there was a military shake up in his home country, Nigeria . She said former President Obasanjo has recommended this historic book to all and had promised to re-launch the book in Nigeria . The Chief Launcher of 'Kairaba', Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, former president of Sierra Leone , hailed the 504 page book written by the former Gambian leader. "I did not read the book prior to the launch, but having heard from the review, your interest is unity and prosperity and I will pray for that."

He called on the religious denominations to pray for the brotherhood and oneness to continue in The Gambia and also recommended for everyone to buy a copy. He informed the gathering that he is also working on his own autobiography. On his part, Mr. Ebrima Jawara, a son of the author, said his father has tried three different agencies to assist in publishing his book but to no avail. The said book, he said, was edited and published with limited resources provided by the author himself. He thanked the editorial board, including Suwaibou Conateh, Nana Grey Johnson, Foday Baldeh , Momodou F. Singhateh and Lawyer Momodou Drammeh (for legal aspects). He said he knew his father for 34 years as a Golf player and not an author.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Mr Kawsu Jawara, general manager HYSEN IT Services, also a son of the author, thanked everyone for honoring their invitations. The master of ceremony was Mustapha Alex D'Acosta. Attendance was based on invitation and the whole programme was very orderly.