Madi Jobarteh- Understanding why from Arch 22 to Memorial Arch

The moment the issue of name changing of the arch came about one hears all sorts of narratives against it. But what is really the basis of these arguments of opponents? Of course, we know for many of them it is about defending the tyrant while others merely seem to misconceive the idea on some fault lines. So let’s break down issues. Changing the name of the arch is not the same as wiping out history or denying that the structure was built it 1996 under the regime of Yaya Jammeh! Changing the name does not mean not recognizing that a military coup took place in The Gambia in 1994. If that’s anyone’s perception then it is hugely misinformed. Didn’t we change RVH to RVTH to EFSTH? Didn’t we change the name, Bathurst to Banjul? Does that mean we have wiped out our history in colonialism or denied that the British created these names on the back of their history? Such name changes have taken place everywhere and will continue around the world. Certainly the intention of these name changes is not to wipe out history because those places are documented in books. Anyone who wants to research the history of Banjul will arrive at Bathurst and if you go further you will again arrive at British colonialism and European slavery in The Gambia! So let’s not look at things with a simplistic point of view that changing the name of the arch is about denying which regime built it. Far from that. When we change the name to Memorial Arch, that is also part of our history! Nothing happens in a vacuum. History making does not stop at one point. It’s a process which different epochs. When we change the name, future students of research will come to realize that this Memorial Arch was once called Arch 22. They will come to read in the books about the history of Arch 22 and further to read why and how it became Memorial Arch! That’s all history!!!So let folks not complicate our minds unnecessarily that this is about killing any history or denying who built it. That’s impossible! No one kill or deny that history because it is already documented in both hard and soft copies! For our reconciliation and rebirth as a society founded on justice, freedom and peace, it is necessary to change the vestiges of that authoritarian regime. This is not to be vindictive or vengeful or witch hunting. The fact is this country indeed went thru a brutal tyranny. Every society has done this which will continue until the end of time. Even Yaya Jammeh and his supporters know that. Hence we should help them to overcome their grief in losing power and privilege that they once enjoyed with unlimited happiness. Sometimes people feel like victims just because they lost the power they had! This is the feeling in Yaya Jammeh and his group right now. Ironically, they pretend to forget their past or try to rewrite that history as rosy like afra! But they know it was indeed a brutal regime. But they must also come to recognize that today the country is at another epoch. Indeed they must not be marginalized and victimized but also they must also be honest and fair to their motherland and her people to accept the reality that the story of Yaya Jammeh and AFPRC/APRC cannot continue to prevail forever! That’s basic common sense! Changing the name of the arch highlights a powerful force for truth. It recognizes that we once had a regime that violated citizens with impunity. It built an arch to celebrate itself. But in 2016, citizens ousted that regime and in the place of its most celebratory monument, the people did not only change the name but also imposed the names of the victims of that regime on that arch! What this shows is that ultimately it is victims and citizens who have the last laugh. It shows that truth crushed to earth shall rise up again. It shows that power belongs to only the people and they will take it back when they will. Above all, changing the name to Memorial Arch tells us that this monument that the regime coveted so much is now a sacred place where we honour and celebrate the sufferings and lives of victims. It memorializes the lives of victims and the struggles of Gambians against tyranny. Therefore let’s stand up to remake our society by putting an end to one epoch that is giving way to a new epoch that recognizes and celebrates our humanity, dignity and sovereignty! For The Gambia Our Homeland