The Gambian dictator who found himself suddenly on the ropes for the first time in his 22-year has been trying for the past couple of weeks to see how he can fight himself out of the corner to center ring. Initially, he thought he could do the rope-a-dope to wear down the protesters into retiring into their daily chores by re-submerging into the difficult survival mode that they have come to be accustomed to because of the economic crisis the corrupt and incompetent regime has caused.
Instead, the crowds grew bigger and more energized. And as the protest demonstrations grow louder as well with reinforcement coming from around the country, the security forces appear to be on the side of the protesters - at least they've displayed restraint by not firing live bullets, except last week when unconfirmed reports of firing live shots in the air occurred,
It is being reliably reported that Jammeh is ready to infiltrate tomorrow's demonstrations with 1,500 "Jammeh supporters" - comprising of 1,000 military personnel and 500 Green Boys who are fashioned after Qaddafi's Green Brigade, all dressed in civilian clothes for the sole intent of attacking demonstrators. It is expected that the ensuing chaos will be the sufficient pretext needed for the military and paramilitary to shoot at the demonstrators. The international community and the rest of the world's attention is being drawn to this likelihood.
Leaders of political parties including the ruling APRC, who met with the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) under the aegis of the Inter-Party Committee, have bailed out the electoral consultation process, The message has finally broken through that this is not the time to talk elections. The nation is faced with a political crisis created by Jammeh with the death in custody of Solo Sandeng and others, the arrest and detention of Ousainou Darboe, a number of his party executives including many others who have still not been accounted from since the first protest demonstration two weeks ago.
Tomorrow's court hearings are expected to attract large protest demonstrators who will be in Banjul to show support of the opposition members. Because of the large crowds that seem to grow daily, Jammeh is changing strategy by limiting the number of protesters that will be in the capital tomorrow by considering changing the venue of the court to an isolated place - like the Mile II prison complex or an army barracks even though none of the accused is in the military. Today's National Security Council chaired by Isatou Njie-Saidy did not reveal the conclusion regarding the venue perhaps because the proposed venue - should there be a new one - will need to be cleared with the dictator who is still holed up in his native village of Kanilai.
Jammeh also plans to close the Oyster Creek Bridge ( to many the Denton Bridge ) at 9:00 A.M. if not earlier. Demonstrators have indicated that they will walk the 3-mile distance to the High Court at the entrance of Banjul. We are recommending that either demonstrators spend the night in Banjul or start very early tomorrow morning and well before the 9.00 A.M closure.
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