By Ndey Sowe
Ebrima Habibou Fatty, a Gambian brought-up up in Brikama-Ba, in Central River Region (CRR), has launched his book titled “Ayeh Jii.”
“Ayeh Jii” (let him step down) is a Mandinka phrase that became a campaign slogan used by the coalition of seven opposition parties and an independent candidates led by current President Adama Barrow during the December, 2016 presidential election.
Born on 12th December, 1965, Fatty started his education in Brikama-Ba primary school in 1972/72 academic year. In 1978/79 academic year, he proceeded to the then Saint Augustine’s High School now called Saint Augustine’s Senior Secondary School in Banjul. Fatty possesses a G.C.E certificate and a diploma in marketing.
This is a birth of a book entitled Ayeh Jii, a Mandinka word and being the slogan for the coalition race to state house, said Fatty, adding the slogan was a pacesetter for The Gambia’s democratic dispensation.
The author said the book amounts to full coverage of 2016/17 presidential elections, initial results, Yayah Jammeh’s acceptance, IEC’s election error, election rejection result speeches, threats and the impasse. He said these events are lessons learned collectively.
“The book looks small but indeed, pregnant with numerous lessons learned during the historic 2016/17 general presidential election, the impasse and the unexpected historic removal of Yayah Jammeh as President of The Republic of the Gambia through the ballot box,” he said.
Fatty said his book is here to stay for posterity and it has been endorsed by the National Center for Arts and Culture (NCAC) due to its relevance. He said the NCAC has archived it at the center’s library poised to be used by history and government students of The Gambia.
“Writers are not enemies but informers of events that have happened. If one is ignorant of where dad stopped, he/she wouldn’t know where to begin, meaning no project will be finished without a solid and recognized foundation,” he said.
Hassoum Ceesay, Director General of NCAC, applauded Mr. Fatty for the professionalism and for coming up with such an important historic book that will be read for many generations to come.
