The relentless pursuit for justice remains an unfinished business since the change that the people envisioned never came to fruition since the tendencies and resemblance of dictatorship continue in the new dispensation. The defiant struggle for democracy was cut short due to complacency, indifference, preemptive claim of victory, and compromise of values and principles. The justification of the undeniable and the need for a relentless pursuit of justice for all citizens is evident in the continued abuse of power, dereliction of duty, misappropriation of public funds and resources without accountability, and incidents of police brutality signaling the legacies of the past dictatorship. The relentless pursuit of justice should be embraced as a duty of all citizens because the constraints and obstacles of a just society that were meant to be abolished still prevail, which supports the statement by Gene Sharp that “tyranny can only change into tyranny” if the newfound freedom is not zealously safeguarded.

The relentless pursuit of freedom and justice for all remains a necessary quest because the draconian and inhumane laws that lead to arbitrary arrests and unlawful detentions stay the order of the day. The dispensation of justice remains flawed since decisions that affect citizens’ daily lives can be derailed by conspiracies that favour the privileged few. Citizens are still trapped in captivity and bondage since the exercise of basic rights such as freedom of speech can be met with arrests and detentions based on “orders from the top”. This indicates the absence of the rule of law and rule by law instead, which points to the notion that citizens live in a state of conformity and fear. In an environment of continued cruelty and maltreatment, the response from the citizens should be a never-ending strive to end oppression to live in peace and safety.

I want to take this opportunity to remind all Gambian citizens, friends of the Gambia, and all stakeholders that the lessons of dictatorship were twofold: the gruesome lessons of pain and the lessons of overcoming fear and creating a social cohesion that ended dictatorship. The tasks should inspire that fear can be overcome and coercion and deception can be identified through awareness. All the signs on the ground indicate the emergence of a new dictatorship, which should be an alarm to renew the pledge that “NEVER AGAIN” will legacies of tyranny or dictatorship return to the Gambia. The people have what it takes to recognize the strength in their diversity, solidify their bonds and safeguard their shared interests.

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