Tomorrow 22 July 2008, will mark 14 solid years of the leadership of the APRC government under the stewardship of President Yahya Jammeh who came to power through barrel of a gun on July 22 1994.Then in 1996 Jammeh like many of his military colleagues in the sub region and beyond turn into a civilian, contested and won the elections, since then he won two more elections in a country that has no presidential term limit.

 The Gambia as a developing country had scored some developments in certain areas but notwithstanding have some short comings under Jammeh. The Media Agenda’s reporter at large went on a wide raging vox voice to feel people’s feelings on where the coup took us in the last 14 years and whether there was a need to celebrate the day.

Mustapha Kujabi a student said for him it is difficult to make comparisons since he was too young during the first republic. One thing he made clear is that no matter what he cannot condone a military rule. He condemns all coups including the one that brought President Jammeh to power. He however said he thinks there are some developments in terms of schools.  I think yes the day can be celebrated but with little cost owing to the hard living conditions of ordinary Gambians.

A journalist who whish not be named in this article said there is absolutely no cause for celebrations as far as he is concern. I would like to see justice done in the pending cases of my colleagues like Deyda Hydara and the disappeared Chief Ebrima Manneh.One cannot celebrate when ones colleagues are killed and got disappeared with little commitment by the state whose responsibility is to do so as people’s representatives.

Nyambi Drammeh a farmer in the URR village of Perai said yes there is a cause to celebrate as the developments speaks for themselves, unless one is blind to see. Apart from the bad road conditions from Banjul to Koina on the south bank, under the Jammeh regime we have seen much development. The schools, the health centers, the television and rural electrifications speak for themselves.

Fatoumatta Suko told this reporter that she is disappointed by the regime because as a farmer if she cannot find a market for her produce will there be any cause for her to celebrate July 22. NO, she said. I need to feed my family from these produce, to educate my kids and to take care of the welfare of my family as a single parent.

Lamin Ceesay a university student said yes there is much cause for celebrations as if it were not the Jammeh regime I would not have seen the walls of a university, so bravo President Jammeh.

“We need good governance, free press, and progressive democracy” said Kumba Fatajo of Laminkoto village of CRR. Without the above she said there is no cause to celebrate July 22. For her a coup is a crime and should not be glorified.