A new Gambia |
In Gambia, a tiny West African country, a remarkable change took place: with the presidential elections of December 2016 despite the threats and intimidation, the population managed to defeat Yahya Jammeh’s ferocious dictatorship that it has lasted for 22 years. Just 4 for months later the new Assembly was elected and a new way was finally taken. A real revolution that the Gambians have been able to carry out in a completely peaceful way. Fundamental to the conquest of the rule of law was also the intervention of ECOWAS troops (Economic Community of West Africa) who managed to handle the crisis without the help of the blue helmets of the UN for the first time in history of the continent and recently short- listed for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Thus, after two decades of censorship, assassinations, incarceration, torture and rampant corruption, the Gambia finally delights the taste of democracy, freedom of speech and the opening of markets. Many journalists and politicians forced to exile have returned home, editorial initiatives flourish, Senegal’s border is no longer by people fleeing but by merchants doing business in Dakar, university is abuzz, processes have been launched against the assassins working for Jammeh and some Gambians who arrived in Libya in their attempt to rea- ch Europe have been repatriated. Newly elected President Adama Barrow is working to give them a future in their country, to re- vive the institutions and to start the revival of the Gambia trying to solve the many problems left by the regime of his predecessor. The economy is in fact kneeling and energy resources are not yet fully exploited. Meanwhile, howe- ver, the people of Gambia, for 90% of Muslim faith, enjoy the liberty gained full of hopes for the future and aware of being an example for Africa and the whole world. |