The Big Interview: AGERA Chairperson Speaks!!  

Freedom Newspaper: Good day, Mr. Mbye. Can you please introduce yourself to our readership?

Habib Mbye: I thank the good lord for this day and thank you for having me,  Ndombai. My name is Habib Mbye.  I am originally from the Banjul area migrated to the US since 1978, and proud to live in the Chocolate City and a # 1 fan of the Atlanta Falcons, Hawks, Thrashers, Silverbacks, The Dream, the world champions Braves and of course our local scorpions. I live here with my wife, Fatou, niece Aji, Sons, Saul and Pa Doudou, daughter Ndey Fatou and other close relatives. I am a Georgia Certified Power Plant Engineer employed by Fulton County Government as a division manager in the department of Environment and Community Development.

Freedom Newspaper: What's AGERA all about? Who pioneered the organization?

H Mbye: AGERA is all about relief:  we come into peoples’ lives when there is no one that they can turn to and most importantly try to nurture a vibrant community environment by uplifting the condition of our families in times of death, illness and to be role models to our young ones. AGERA really came about when a number of Gambians at the Atlanta Airport were arrested by the INS. This incident became the rallying cry for the need of an organization that we can all belong to: create an effective safeguard to our community. Spearheaded by the Imam and leaders of the Christian leadership, a steering committee was created to effectively respond to the problem. From there an organization called AGERA was born. Since then we have spent close to $100,000 in disbursement including and not limited to help bury our dead in all communities in the US, helping people with chronic illness and intervening in situations that pose a threat to our community.   

Freedom Newspaper: AGERA has been too involved on the July 4^Th celebrations. What do you have in place for this year's celebrations? Any special surprises for your guests?

H Mbye: The July Fourth has really become part of the Gambian tradition, and every year we bring entertainment, soccer tournaments, outside picnics and the opportunity for Gambians in the Diaspora to meet old friends and make new ones the event brought a lot of families together in matrimony. With the help of some very devoted and hard working young guys, we have been able to showcase young Gambian talents, cultural evenings to promote and introduce to our kids the very rich culture that we are proud of as Gambians. We are still looking forward to having Jamil Cham as one of our visiting volunteer Artists to this year’s July Fourth who is still waiting for his visa. There are other legendary Gambian artists that have also volunteered their services the likes of: Singateh AKA Freaky Joe, Chess, King of Afro Manding/Rap, Mo …homeboy… and Amie Dibba …African Queen who are going to be in Atlanta  

Freedom Newspaper: Many believe that July 4^Th is for Americans. Can you educate our readership about Gambia's role on July 4^TH anniversary?

H Mbye: The July 4th was intended for February 18th but weather conditions and activities in the community that were celebrated around July 4th weekend forced us to collaborate with Edi Jagne and Sal Njie on occasions that they celebrate: Edi's namesake and Sal's daughter Isha’s birthday all fell around the 4th. But all in good faith the activities are meant to bring our people together. My daughter Ndey Fatou’s birthday is on July 4^th uuh. (laughter) 

Freedom Newspaper: Is it true that AGERA is using July 4^Th to generate funds for the organization?

H Mbye: The July 4th thank God has been the only financial  lifeline for almost everything that we do in the community, in the Diaspora and in the Gambia.

Freedom Newspaper: It's good to generate budget for organizations like AGERA, but how accountable is your organization?

H Mbye: Thank God for the volunteer spirit of Gambians, we have a registered and licensed CPA, Sal Njie who prepares and manages our books. AGERA is a non-profit entity and that make us open to public scrutiny and we welcome it. In good faith, we always encourage the community and give access to them to our books. We present financial statements every so often to the community and answer questions and clarify issues that they have.

Freedom Newspaper: How can you assure me that funds collected from the July 4^th fund raising drive would be judiciously managed? Where do you put such funds? Who benefit from such funds?

H Mbye: The Funds are here for the relief of all Gambians and friends of the Gambia. We have a disbursement committee that meet and discuss all requests from the community. In the past we refrained from publicly putting out requests because traditionally Gambians are not comfortable having their dirty linen in the public, but for the sake of transparency we are changing this rule to further maintain utmost degree of transparency demanded in this type of organization. 

Freedom Newspaper: For the purpose of transparency, can you declare how much money you got from last year's July 4^th?

H Mbye: After over a $20,000.00 expense we were able to raise a little over $16,0000.00. We disbursed almost 80% of all the proceeds. 

Freedom Newspaper: How often do you conduct executive elections?

H Mbye:  We have had one election when this organization was created. AGERA is unique in the sense that we do not have a hierarchy where you have a chairman making decisions and everyone follows directives. The organization is team driven; all decisions have to be unanimous. We are always changing within the group and believe me new members have come in and taken the group by the horns and sometimes change the direction to suite there vision. The most important people in AGERA are the active members, in the final analysis they are the people that keeps the organization relevant.

Freedom Newspaper: Critics say the current AGERA Executive have over stayed its mandate? How true are such claims?  
 

H Mbye: It is indeed a fair criticism, and if these people you mentioned are really interested in maintaining AGERA with the sole interest of the community, we would really like them to come and join us. Now, what we cannot do is to abandon the people’s business and create this vacuum for some of these people to pursue their own selfish agenda. We are always looking for fresh and progressive ideas; over the years we have gotten an infusion of new blood from new members that have really propelled the organization to higher heights. 

Pa, if I may add one point. In the past these same critiques have labeled AGERA as a Wolof organization; others call us a Muslim leaning organization; when we help organized the Diaspora summit with the opposition parties we were labeled as an anti APRC party. We understood that perception is important, and we have reached out to our Mandinka brothers & sisters in metro Atlanta, the Christian community by contributing to their annual “Sang Marie” Sarahules and even APRC supporters. Now, these same folks are going around the Atlanta community telling Wolofs that Mandinkas have taken over AGERA and telling the Christian community that AGERA is all about promoting Muslims. We would like to build an organization for all, but if people are bent on creating division there is not a whole lot we can do.

Freedom Newspaper: Is AGERA an interest group or an independent organization?

H Mbye: AGERA’s commitment is to Gambians living in the Diaspora and friends of the Gambia, irrespective of religion, tribe and political leaning. We will not allow the commercialization of AGERA for the sole purpose of individuals or groups for that matter. We are totally driven by our community. Pa, the team we have in AGERA are not in it looking for any gratuities or accolades. If I can borrow from the late Tim Russett .....” his gratitude is achieved when his knees bend to pick someone up that is down....” he will be missed.

Freedom Newspaper: Besides, July 4^Th, where do you get funding?

H Mbye: Individuals, local Gambian owned businesses and donations from events like of course the July 4th weekend.

Freedom Newspaper: Since you are involved in disaster relief programs, do you extend helping hands to disaster victims in The Gambia?

H Mbye: This one is more challenging, but is indeed is one of our long-term goals.

Freedom Newspaper: Is AGERA affiliated with any political party in The Gambia? Are you NADD or APRC apologist?

H Mbye: We are non political, non-religion, non sexist, non "generis", non raciste, non tribaliste. (Laughter) We welcome everyone. Now lets not be fooled there is politics, religion, sexist, “genderist”, racist or tribalism in everything we do in our daily lives this is unavoidable but we strive to empower our community to be able to make good sound decisions when it comes to making decisions again we are not affiliated to any political party as a tax exempt organization our legal status will not even allow us to.

Freedom Newspaper: Why is AGERA not inviting Gambian based artists to come grace the July 4^th anniversary?

H Mbye: We pioneered it and hope to make it a tradition.  For the last celebrations, we have had legendary musicians like Singateh, Chess, Amie Dibba and variety of Rap artists. Our goal is to make the July Fourth the platform to launch Gambian talents in the Diaspora. 

Freedom Newspaper: Besides, sporting activities, what else have you put in place for the day? Any conference of that sort?

H Mbye: We are working on a forum for the growing Gambian authors to get some exposure to their fellow Gambians in the Diaspora.

Freedom Newspaper: We recently witnessed the birth of The Gambia Families Association in Atlanta. What's AGERA'S perception about this non-political organization?

H Mbye:  We always welcome any organization or people that come together to make a difference to our community I am an executive of another local organization. Even though, we have had our reservation to the creation of another organization that we deemed to be a duplicate in all there pitch, we still supported GFAA financially in the Mother’s day picnic and we will continue to work with them for the development of our community if the niche is well defined and not in duplication of anything we already have in existence. Remember, AGERA was created from different organizations that came together and forge for the development of our community and we can do it again. We are hoping that by working together it will give us the economic scale to lure big cooperate sponsors and take events like the July Fourth to another level.

Freedom Newspaper: Some commentators recently wondered the rationale behind the setting up such an organization. Do you see GFA Atlanta as a competitor or a partner in development?

H Mbye: They are definitely not a competitor to my view, and the majority of their members are very good people and we see them as partners in development. But, there are people who are using the organization to bring division and they have their own narrow agenda, which is unfortunate.

Freedom Newspaper: Are you a member of GFA? If no, why not?

H Mbye: Yes, I am a member and have attended all there two activities with my family including a meeting and have personally contributed financially.

Freedom Newspaper: What's your organization doing to prevent division in Atlanta, among The Gambian Community? Why can't AGERA members be part of GFA, since it's for the community?

H Mbye: Most AGERA members are willing to be part of anything that will bring the community together, we have always worked with the women’s organization in the celebration of Mother’s day and Father’s day and have always participated in all of their programs since the formation of AGERA. I was very proud that it was solely started and run by our local community ladies.  Initially, the understanding was that the Atlanta men were going to organize this year’s mother’s day for the ladies, and people were very excited about it. When the whole thing started to leapfrog to the formation of an organization, it started to look like a road that we have traveled before and hate to see our community divided once again. Like I said, the majority of the folks have good intentions, but without a doubt some of them are up to no good and we know who they are. Recent incidents prove my assumption.

Freedom Newspaper: AGERA has been commended in the past for its role in uniting Gambians. What have you put in place to further unite Gambians?

H Mbye: Ndombai, our doors are always open we are very a progressive group of people and we should try to work together at any cost because that is the only way we can succeed as a community. Come in and stand for what you believe in.   We really believe that we have something good in Atlanta, and our active members are a cross section of the Gambian quilt with the sole desire to build a viable community for the preservation of our culture and heritage.

Freedom Newspaper: What's your view about the Freedom Newspaper?

H Mbye: Is a medium that has its purpose and has really filled a vacuum of bringing Gambians issues that are very close to home. It should be seen as a messenger and at the end the receiver is always the one that will determine the benefit of the information and how they will use it. I visit the Freedom newspaper and other online papers everyday. I rely on them to balance the news from home.  Your paper has really played a crucial role in our quest for an opened Gambia.

Freedom Newspaper: If you are in the position of meeting President Jammeh today, what will you tell him?

H Mbye:  I will encourage him to strive for total democracy, justice, tolerance and freedom for all Gambians, we are a proud people and if given room to operate we can make the country the envy of all in no time. 

Freedom Newspaper: Do believe that the Freedom Newspaper is anti Government?

H Mbye: Obviously, your aggressive reporting sometimes come across as anti the status quo, and that is understandable but you also go after the opposition as well and have said some good things towards the government. 

Freedom Newspaper: Any last words?

H Mbye: Ndombai, everyone should pursue a role to give back and always find a niche where they can make a difference to some one else. As Dr. S Nyang, ones mentioned in one of our forums: “ …..to free some of our people from the resistance to change, we need to  find a friend, relative, neighbor and financially support them to cut the chains of patronage and that freedom will enable them to make independent decisions” (Paraphrasing). Thank you very much again and may God bless you and your readers.

Freedom Newspaper: Thanks Ndombai for granting us this interview. We look forward to meeting you in Atlanta on July 4^Th. The Freedom crew would be there grace the occasion.

H Mbye: Look me up. Most oblige God Bless.