Fatoumatta: The phrase “Court Jesters and Yes Men in Politics” often refers to individuals who may not challenge but rather affirm the status quo, potentially leading to the downfall of a promising young man in politics. The pinnacle of absurdity: When clownish antics and court jesters’ “dof do flu” and “deegree fit” audacity set a standard for political figures.
“Ridicule is non-existent for those who face it head-on have mastered the world,” declared Octave Mirbeau, echoing the sentiments of Gambian jesters, party-supporting clowns, and comedians in politician’s garb, uneducated yet opinionated in politics, who believe that “dof do flu and deegree fit”—acting foolishly with boldness and shamelessness—ensures triumph. These words embolden Gambian politicians who not only embrace ridicule but dive into folly, flirting with the absurd, parody, caricature, and grotesque without hesitation. They’ve conditioned Gambians to view politics as a realm of deceit and trickery, where being duped is almost a pleasure. A skilled politician, they argue, is one who can spin a web of ten lies and earn applause for each. The most esteemed are those who push boundaries as far as the young actor suggests. Birds of a feather, politicians increasingly join forces with entertainers, online trolls, and fraudsters, becoming lords of the spectacle and time. And thus, a deluge of falsehoods descends upon us, particularly as elections approach.
To make my point, I will refrain from discussing the disrespectful behavior and speeches of certain individuals in politics, including both the opposition and ruling parties, as well as civil society members who prioritize their titles over their honor. I will not engage with the convoluted reasoning of leaders whose lust for power has overshadowed their intellect and humanity, risking the loss of my own sense of reason. I will not recount the forays of certain educated individuals into politics, nor the actions of some disreputable politicians, lawmakers, and cabinet ministers. Instead, I will simply highlight these facts that are quite telling of the Gambian political landscape in recent years, which have been prominent in the news. This mainly concerns young Gambians with education who have entered politics without having contributed to the Gambia’s fight for democracy and resistance against a harmful dictatorship for over two decades. They did not participate in the struggle, while others were entirely complicit, aiding and abetting dictator Yahya Jammeh in extending his rule and the suffering of the Gambian people. These individuals have shamelessly schemed, manipulated, and maneuvered the system to occupy front-row seats in a new government they never fought for, as they were absent during the struggle.
Fatoumatta: Some individuals, after years of alliance with the tyrant Yahya Jammeh or remaining silent during the Gambians’ suffering, never uttered a word, penned op-eds, or joined protests despite their previous government roles. Others, who once campaigned strategically and derided the opposition, have now switched sides with much fanfare, criticizing the government like never before. This shift often occurs when the promise of prestigious government positions is given to someone else. Meanwhile, as the ruling faction disintegrates amid self-criticism, instead of reprimanding those who insult via the internet, the authorities are appeasing them with substantial sums and vehicles, as some disclose. Consequently, Gambians are increasingly abandoning restraint, modesty, and decency, even more so than the political figures.
Let’s set aside the extravagances of our political figures; let’s ignore the unseemly praise, the spins, the late-night escapades, and the exotic concoctions. Let’s not dwell on how some young, educated politicians attempted to ensnare a person, how they ended up splintering them, or how they were deceived. We shall not discuss why our republican institutions and politicians were so derided and elders were metaphorically “gunned down.” Instead, let’s address the issue of Godfatherism in politics, which has also flirted with the absurd. Nowadays, many young, educated politicians are too apathetic to pursue a career in government for better prospects. They have reached an unprecedented level of inactivity, accompanied by a collective of failures that includes a mix of the serious, the less serious, and the outright jesters.
Many Gambians continue to question how and why individuals dare to form political parties or venture into politics. How is it that some manage to progress from the stage of a political party, with investments amounting to millions of dalasi and other expenses, only to merge with the ruling party? Why has the electoral management body, tasked with overseeing the funding and financing of political parties, failed to do so, remaining inactive and not contributing to the expansion of democracy? These questions are not criticisms of democracy but rather a critique of our people’s level of civic education, who are easily swayed by media sensationalism and money. It must be acknowledged that the high cost of entering politics excludes many courageous Gambians from the race, as if financial clout were a measure of competence and experience. Consequently, the affluent and well-connected have turned elections into their enterprise, sometimes with the endorsement of self-serving and potentially perilous patrons, all proclaiming, “Yes, we can! We can because we are wealthy!”
Fatoumatta: Careerist politicians, known for their populist politics, sought an audience at the Palace to air their grievances to the President of the Republic. The President received them but remained indifferent to their complaints. These politicians, indignant at the consequences of their actions, denounced what they called “The Republic of Dealers” and lambasted the government with harsh criticism. Some went as far as to publish tirades to express their support for the “candidate of politicians,” while others praised the party leaders, pledging an end to the hyper-presidential system and nepotism. Despite previously condemning the President for misusing public resources, they sought to absolve themselves of all blame and attempted to negotiate a pact with him.
The debate intensifies, with discussions centering on a potential institutional war. Concerns are mounting that Gambia may become a mere plaything. Despite presenting what they claim to be undeniable evidence, some decry the mockery of democracy, allege conspiracies, and foresee an institutional crisis as dire as the one under Yahya Jammeh’s regime, marked by a confrontation between judicial and legislative authorities. They express surprise that their proposals are considered ahead of earlier ones. In this climate, critics describe the political maneuvering as an unseemly and unprincipled alliance game. Nearly all candidates are actively campaigning for votes, with some declaring support for others while still not formally abandoning their own political parties, leveraging their ambitions to benefit the incumbent government.
Fatoumatta: The “dof doflu and degree fit” is in full effect! Overwhelmed by vertigo, my outdated reasoning shuts itself away. When mockery takes hold and festers, it turns pitiful; laughter becomes improper, and hearts are overtaken by desolation. In my solitude, I recalled how, just months ago, flattery ignited the flames of moral and ethical decay, casting aside integrity and education. I then declared: “These young, educated politicians have cast aside their honor on the altar of democracy and freedom of association, presuming to judge judges as a blind man leading the one-eyed! With this in mind, I offered a prayer, aware, as Georges Clemenceau once stated, that “one never lies more than before elections, during war, and after hunting”: God save The Gambia, my homeland.
