THE SECURITY MUST NOT BLAME ITSELF FOR THIS CRISIS. MUKK!

By: Muhammed Y. Darboe

The spontaneous protests are not the fault of the SIS, the Police or any unit responsible for internal security. They are unpredictable and fluid events that can happen anywhere.

The security forces need to stop overworking themselves just to save face or to impress the President. I understand they have a responsibility to provide security and safety but that does not require a combative patrol and visibility strategy. At this stage of the crisis the approach should be less about riot control and more about prevention.

I have closely studied the average Gambian mindset and I can tell you these protests will end soon. What do the people need? Service. Let the President provide it and see how quickly things change.

But this will not be achieved through political gaslighting or through MPs complaining about attacks on political bureaus and the NAWEC building. It cannot be fixed by people falsely telling the President that this is sabotage. The best way to address it is simple. Provide the needed service.

You cannot expect people to manage without electricity for this long. Yes the arson, the burning of tires and the break ins are unjustifiable. They are illegal and criminal and must be addressed. But they are also part of a crisis fueled by the government itself, not a failure of security intelligence.

It needs urgent redress. The current situation is a cycle of failure, empty promises and more failure. The people are tired. They can no longer buy into it. This is the truth someone has to tell the President even if it has to be said politely.

The President promised more than he can deliver. He must now take responsibility. Hopefully the security services will put in place clear operational protocols that balance public safety, infrastructure protection and the protection of civil liberties.