The Arch 22 square symbols of the July 22 take over in the city of Banjul was full to capacity with sympathizers of the coup, today the 22 July 2008. The occasion described by others as a revolution. It was a heavy rainy day as we are in the middle of the rains. It was by no other means that it rained, but simply because we are in the rains. The Prime ministers of Guinea Conakry and that of Senegal and other dignitaries from the sub region were quest of honors.

 In this year’s celebrations speech it was punctuated with verbal attack on the west and particularly the United Kingdom and United States of America for various human right abuses, ranging from the invasion of Irag to the use of African wealth during the era of colonialism. The speech also never spared the African leadership for poor and weak caliber of the continent’s leadership performance.

Delivering his speech on the occasion, the President who is also the catalyst of the coup of 22 July 1994, said each celebrations has a theme and for this year, its independence and national pride. He went on to ask how one can have pride if one is not independent. He said one of the slogans they came with 14 years ago, was independence, transparency and accountability. He said he did tell people 14 years ago that each Gambian should plant a tree, how many have done that he asked? If that was done we would be able to feed ourselves. But that is not happening, unless we feed ourselves we cannot have pride nor can we have independence.

 In a 1475 map which he has did, indicated that the Gambia was an elephant at that time. He then accuses the British who turned us to this tiny little Gambia. He said we are a great nation before, and it was all due to colonialism that has rip that greatness from us, making us poor and turning them rich. He said independence is a joke, because even at the level of African Union before anything is done the EU has to help. Jammeh said there is no one to be blame for such backwardness, but the African leaders. He said this why he once stood here and said he will not be part of anything call Knee pad referring to NEPAD. He will not encourage any one or organization to encourage begging.

He said the west is made rich by the Africans. Jammeh said the Great Britain big as they were; it was the tiny Gambia that help them against the Germans. Gambia also gave a loan of 75,000 pounds he said he has no knowledge whether that grant or loan is paid or not, he indicated that Gambia has contributed both financially and morally to the wellbeing of United Kingdom Jammeh rebuked Peer Review Mechanism, which he said means criticizing one and other. He gave examples of Chad critizing Sudan or vise visa. And wonder what havoc that will cause.

He hip all blames on the poor leadership of his colleagues on the continent. He blames the west and other African states for allowing what is happening to Mugabi. He said they have issued an arrest warrant for the President of Sudan, but we have worst criminals in the west. The people who invaded Irag are all war criminals, why are they not accountable for those crimes? He questions what kind democracy is that?

He asks a question whether he is a dictator, the crowd says No! Then he said he is happy to be labeled one because once they do that they will never touch you and your people. He questioned the role of the west in trying to get Mugabe down. He said he was not defending Mugabe but before Mugabe there was a minority leader call Smith, why was he not questioned for all the atrocities against the black majority.

If we want Africa to develop, we Africans have to stop killing one and other. We have to work hard to get our pride. Gambians must stop the bantaba syndrome. He finally call on all to tile the farm for a better Gambia.