Christopher 'Dudus' Coke has been making news in Jamaica and overseas for the last nine months, exposing the true reality of Jamaican politics. Dudus being the son of the late so-called drug kingpin Lester 'Jim Brown' Coke, inherited the Don crown from his father.
Jim Brown was backed by Edward Seaga during his tenure-ship as Member of Parliament for the garrison called Tivoli. Mr. Seaga ran one of the many garrisons in Jamaica, where criminals are breed to defend political parties, ensuring their victories in elections.
The systemic problem of crime and violence in Jamaica can be traced back to the political parties that led to the tribalization of the country for over 40 years. These parties being the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People's National Party (PNP) have led an economy that prospered post independence into a gutter of debt and dependence.
The issue of Dudus is a mere smoke screen hiding the true issues of Jamaica. Even in this modern day and age, the tribal tendencies that seem inherited from our fore parents continue to direct the path of a beautiful Island that now grabs at straws for hope.
The search for Dudus in the last couple of days, and the trail of carnage unleashed of the community of Tivoli points to the lack of serious intelligence and leadership in Jamaica. For months the JLP has hid behind patriotism of party in protecting Dudus from the United Stated authorities. The backlash of this action has been severe on the citizens of a country that is suffering under the effects of a global recession. Many lost their US visas, and with that an opportunity for employment, while their Government stood by protecting so-called ideals.
Dudus over the years established himself as a protector of the people of West Kingston and Spanish Town, ensuring that in the light of the absence of proper police protection the people felt safe. In fact, in downtown Kingston businesses and customer alike felt safe to conduct their business, even with the cost of extortion that had to be paid. The state has failed for many years to protect the hard working people of Jamaica, and to this day hide behind 'dons', laying the blame squarely at their feet.
It may be a good thing that this incident took place in this era. But one wonders if the same action taken in West Kingston will be done in all the garrisons. It is indeed sad what has taken place, but the end game was evident, battle lines were thrown years before, the pawns were placed for sacrifice and the King issued his command of attack. Jamaica has lost the war, and now tries to blame Dudus instead of aiming at the true enemy, the many citizens who have sat by for years, hypnotized by tribalism. The time is ripe for a rebirth, a turning from evil to good. Jamaica has always feared God, and should restore itself to this humbleness, 'the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom'.
