Mr Government, do you remember the recent uprising that swept across North Africa and Middle East? Do you remember that it all began when 26-year-old unemployed graduate in the person of Mohamed Bouazizi set himself alight in protest against ‘injustice’?

Mr Government, do you remember how this event led to the unraveling of the general discontent among the ‘politically naïve’ people of Tunisia? Do you remember that it was this revolution that spilled over to the Egypt, Libya, Jordan, Syria, Yemen, among others, so far killing the regimes of Mubarak and Ghadafi of Egypt and Libya respectively?

Of course, even if one wishes not to see those events as they unfold, one cannot turn a blind eye. This paper is not merely refreshing memories of those dramatic incidents, neither is it doing it to threaten anybody. But if anybody feels threatened, we say, that is not our intention. We are simply bringing to the attention of relevant government authorities the need to respond to the needs of Gambians.

For many reasons, the public would mask their discontent with plastic smiles even when they are boiling in anger. It is important not to be deceived by the 72 percent election victory. In fact, any keen follower of politics and other important developments in Libya and Egypt would bet without a second thought that, had Libyan or Egyptians gone to the polls a day before revolutions in those countries, Ghadafi would have secured over 98 percent of votes and Mubarak would bag 85 percent or above.

What we are implying here is that ideally, elections are held to choose leaders, but in many cases in Africa, elections are either intended to launder regimes that fought their way to power, or otherwise dress up despots in democratic garb.

We have been raising issues in our editorial commentaries about the killing of innocent lives, especially those purportedly perpetuated by law enforcers. We did also indicate the fact that where the government seems unable to nip the excesses of elements in our state security services in the bud, it should make sure that justice is not only done, but it should be seen to be done where and when they offend. The law shall be applied to the latter regardless of who breaches it.

We should bear in mind that The Gambia that we should all make by simply doing what is morally and professional expected of us, should not be The Gambia that we should destroy by abdicating our moral and professional responsibilities. Neither should we show fear or favour.

In this edition, we have been informed that the civilian held over the death of Alpha Omar in Manjai was taken before a court of law. Banjul Magistrates’ Court to be precise. According to the information we gathered, the case has been transferred to the Special Criminal Court. What however baffles us is that the court clerk at Banjul could not remember whether or not the case was mentioned. The police spokesperson could not even remember the name of the civilian in their custody.

How about the anti-narcotics officers who allegedly tortured the 22 year old boy to death? Nothing so far! There are other pending ones such the death of an old woman at the outskirts of Banjul. No mentioned is being made about the presidential convoy crash that claims several lives.