Dida Halake makes a rare response.

It has just been brought to my notice that my friend PK Jarju recently wrote a piece called, sarcastically of course, “NAKAM NAK DIDA”.

It is probably the cleverest thing I have seen from PK, although I may have missed much of his stuff, very unoriginally named, I hear, PK’s Beef. As the American Presidential candidate once asked “Where is the beef?” – so let us just call it PK’s Puff.

Much of PK’s NAKAM NAK sarcasm is based around the fact that I am a great supporter of President Jammeh’s July 22 Revolution – just as my friend PK once was. We both worked at the Daily Observer, and PK and I shared a unforgettable meal at Rasta Garden (as described in my book Freedom Essays). I also recall, back in early 2005 I think, while I was teaching in Leeds, UK, that a certain Binneh Minteh and a certain Darboe LLB attacked PK mercilessly for supporting Jammeh’s development efforts. One evening I spoke at length with PK while he was mulling over which way to jump – be pro-Jammeh or anti-Jammeh. Of course, PK chose the anti-route and he went so far as to write in Freedomnewspaper.com calllng for a coup against Jammeh – something that I remember even the generally irresponsible Freedomnewspaper disowned.

PK was a friend of mine at the Daily Observer, and when I made a Deed of Gift and a Will giving my compound and my land to my son Hassan and my daughter Jainaba, PK was one of the witnesses – and I have no doubt that he would be honourable enough to ensure that my children will inherit their lands should a not be around.

But PK’s NAKAM NAK sarcasm (and much of his abuse while I was MD of the Daily Observer) was simply misplaced because he judges me by his own standards.

I do not disown my beliefs because the going gets tough PK. On the contrary, throughout my life (starting as a seven year old war-refugee orphan in Nairobi) hardships have simply spurred me on and made me stronger.

So you outline in your NAKAM NAK piece my support for President Jammeh. Well, I have to tell you that my views on President Jammeh’s development of this country have not changed an iota. What the guy is doing to develop this country is just incredible and my children, and your children PK, will be the beneficiaries of the Jammeh Revolution.

As for my 12 night “Nelson Mandela Experience” with the police, I can’t say much except that, contrary to the claim in your NAKAM NAK piece, my arrest and detention was engineered by other people – NOT PRESIDENT JAMMEH. President Jammeh was NOT even in the country when the conflict between me and the individual concerned erupted. All I can say to you is that I am 99% certain of an eventual acquittal because I am certain of my facts and I have evidence to back them. So the question of NAKAM NAK re: President Jammeh does not arise.

Nor does NAKAM NAK arise with regards to the 12-night detention itself. It was a fantastic educational experience and the police both at Kotu and Banjul were wonderful. I don’t know where you get your facts, but I was never bitten by a mosquito even once during those twelve days – because my watchman brought my mosquito cream (and my camp-bed) from the moment I was arrested. Even the British High Commissioner brought another mosquito cream when he came to see and interview me in detention.

Talking of facts, I read the other week in the POINT that Pap Saine was attacked for visting me in Kotu Police Station. Pap did NOT visit me any time during my detention. Sam Sarr of Foroyaa did, and I was humbled by his concerned for my welfare – although I assured him that I was fine. Three people from GPU turned up while I was at Serrekunda – but I asked the police to remove them at once! My view of the GPU as a body has not changed, I am glad to say.

PK, sitting in my Bantaba and garden in Kotu writing this piece, while my maid and watchman make the compound as beautiful as you must remember it, I say to you again that your NAKAM NAK sarcasm is misplaced.

Finally, PK, do Ineed to say that I am extremely proud of what we achieved at the Daily Observer in my seven months? I say to you it was a minor REVOLUTION and I will always remain proud of what we achieved. African leaders like President Jammeh are rare and what they need is praise and encouragement. My headlines of the past seven months lie on my desk – to remind me that I have played my part in the development of Mother Africa. But then again, you wouldn’t know because even when you were here you never made the journey from Kotu to Koina to see for yourself.

I wish you and your family, including the baby son, well. In my Oromo language we say “AKAM” and no sarcasm is intended, my confused brother. Long Live the July 22 Revolution (Do you remember my long poem “July 22 Rap a Revolution? I attach a copy for you).

Asalam,

Dida Halake