FYI

Gambians Abroad Call For United Opposition, Party Leaders Applaud Gesture


The Independent

February 5, 2001
Posted to the web February 5, 2001

Alhagie Mbye
Banjul

A UK-based Gambian pro-democracy organisation, the Movement for the
Restoration of Democracy in The Gambia, has spearheaded a campaign to convince
opposition parties in the country to present a united front against the ruling
APRC in the forthcoming parliamentary and presidential elections.

The movement, which comprises many Gambians from different walks of life
abroad, said that their call for an international petition is also posted on
the Gambian mailing list the Gambia-L. It also noted that it believes that
there is "widespread popular support for the formation of a united opposition
platform for the forthcoming parliamentary and presidential elections."

While calling on Gambians both at home and abroad to support the idea and sign
the petition, the movement said it recommends "a strategic and tactical
alliance of all democratic parties and other representative organisations
under one umbrella movement, a common political campaign platform as an
interim measure for the forthcoming elections, and a united opposition
presidential candidate, selected on the basis of an all-party agreement."

The movement also noted "that the national interest requires and calls for
such an alliance, considering that any other alternative will be divisive and
prone to opportunistic exploitation." The movement outlined that the call for
a united opposition has received widespread endorsement by Gambians in Britain
and the United States.

When contacted to react to the proposal, the UDP leader Lawyer Ousainou
Darboe, described it as a "sensible move and no one should object to it." "The
proposal should be studied and if accepted we try to implement it."

The NRP leader, Hamat Bah, also pledged full support for the idea of a united
political front against the ruling party. "Of course there is no other way, it
is very important and I am 100 percent behind it." Halifa Sallah also stressed
on behalf of PDOIS that every Gambian has the right to an "opinion and a
belief" and should be respected in determining the welfare of the country. He
however added that, PDIOS' position calls for "strategies and tactics" to be
given due consideration by all parties.

"Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe, and enthusiastically act upon...must inevitably come to pass" (J. Meyers).

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