By Sulayman Jeng
Darboe’s documentary is superb. It authenticated Darboe as an examplary citizen who has given his most in restoring hope to the oppressed. It is also foolhardy to deny he stood against Jammeh’s 22 years of dictatorship which nearly cost his his life. However, there is a world of difference between being a good citizen and a good people’s leader. While Darboe significantly excels in the former, he badly radiates the latter
A good leader is not only resilient in thought and deed but resolved and collected when overwhelmed with daunting circumstances. Sadly, Darboe has repeatedly oozed an erratic temperament oftens threatening to plunge the whole country into choas just because the laws of the laws pose to halt his personal political ambition. No good leader will opt to plunge a whole country into disarray for his or her own end. Similarly, he is on record threatening individuals with chilling repercussions just because they differ in political points with him.
Added to his erratic temperament is his deflating inconsistencies. Fitting examples are his shifting positions on 3-5 years MOU agreement, Adama Barrow leadership, teachers and a host of others which all point to him being a bad leader.
Furthermore, good leaders are proactive, bold and assertive which are worrisomely deficient in Darboe. Most often than not when events unfold in the Gambia, Darboe has to wait for dictate from his diaspora before he will come forward with a censored statement and/or press conference.
Consequently, Darboe is a great citizen but a bad leader. Thus, to entrust him with running the affairs of the Gambia is comprising its unity, security, peace and development. Darboe will only be a ceremonial defacto president while his surrogates run the government behaviour the governance curtain. To further lend support to my assertion listen to Shorty Jammeh and Darboe’ videos below.