15th December 2016
Recognizing the fact that music is a universal language that promotes peace, solidarity and dialogue among people of the world regardless of nationality, tribe, color, religion, gender, age, language, race or political differences.
Cognizant that Gambia has a rich music and cultural heritage, which contributes to national development that influences our way of life, thinking and behaviours.
Musicians, music promoters and producers in the Gambia have realized that music can be a tool for preserving and promoting positive cultural heritage and promoting solidarity among musicians and the people of the Gambia. This has led to the establishment of a non-governmental and non-profit making umbrella body of musicians in The Gambia called the Musicians’ Union of The Gambia (MUSIGAM).
Aware of the current political situation of our dear Motherland – The Gambia, MUSIGAM and the Gambia Association of Music Producers and Promoters (GAMPP) hereby strongly condemn the outgoing President’s statement issued on the 9th December challenging and rejecting the 2nd December Elections results to which he previously conceded defeat and personally congratulated the President – Elect Adama Barrow through a telephone conversation which was aired on Gambia Radio and Television Services.
MUSIGAM and GAMPP believe the statement of the outgoing President Yahya Jammeh and his refusal of the election results may tantamount to violence and disobedience in our peaceful country and also we understand his statement endangers the peace and stability of the Gambia. It is constitutionally erroneous and a complete disregard of the supreme law of the land, our constitution and surely differs with the culture of promoting the principles of democracy.
Music is a universal language and MUSIGAM and GAMPP as Umbrella bodies of Musicians, Music Promoters and Producers in The Gambia, therefore call on the outgoing President Jammeh to reverse his decision for the good of our nation. We join the majority of the Gambian people and the rest of the world to firmly condemn his rejection and claims for a reelection and categorically proclaiming the December Presidential Elections null and void.
We recognise the results to be genuine and the election is free, peaceful and credible and we stand by the voices of the majority of people of The Gambia.
We are therefore calling on the outgoing President to reconsider his December 9th statement and maintain his acceptance speech which he made on the 2nd December and work with President Elect Adama Barrow on a peaceful transition process that the Gambian people deserve ever more. We urge outgoing President Jammeh to demonstrate a strong leadership and again, remain committed to the values and ideals of democracy at this critical point in time of our political history.
After 22 years of ruling, we thank the outgoing president for the development programs he implemented as well as his personal and administrative support and contributions towards the Gambian music industry and musicians of the Gambia. We commend him on that and urge him to kindly step down and peacefully transfer power to President Elect Adama Barrow.
Finally, MUSIGAM, stands firm to ensure that the peace and stability of this country is maintained and that leaders are held accountable to their promises. And we intend to use music to speak up for the voiceless and the vulnerable people at all times.
