Conteh,
I just found this email, and I must say I do agree wit hyour points. I need
to clarify that I am not opposed to an election fund drive, I just want us to
use it as a levarage to tell the opposition parties that in their unity lies
our salvation from the Butcher of Kanilai. I admire your get up and get it
done attitude, and if all of us jumped on things the way you do, we would
definitley get things done. I think the same of Joe Sambou, and my comments
on this fund drive were definitley not an avenue to criticize anyone. Again,
I just want us to think about how the money will be spent, and I think all of
us have touched on that one. There is also a possibility that they opposition
will not unite, and then we have an even bigger task of how to handle the
funds. I will send in my contribution, but i am not going to relent on the
opposition uniting, and this is where I prefer my money to go into.
I know you guys will take care to address this issue and make the politicians
aware of our wishes. We Gambians have to start getting more demanding of
those who step forward and tell us they want to lead us. Afterall, it is we
they are aspiring to represent, and what is best for us is what should be
pursued.
Jabou Joh
In a message dated 5/12/2001 9:06:25 PM Central Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
Comrades:
It is interesting to know your concerns on the
presidential fund drive initiative. Your concerns
are well taken, but I must admit we have to reach
a consensus in how we are going to distribute the
funds.
I am appealing that you send in your contributions
to Brother Sambou. I hope Dr. Saine has time to
respond to your inquiring. I am of the opinion
that after we have substantial capital, we will
engage each other as to how we will distribute the
money. My position is that we should try and seek
unity and urge the opposition parties to unite.
I will appeal to the ALD Organizing Committee to
allow me time to address the opposition leaders
during the symposium. My position will clearly
define the role of the opposition and our willingness
to forego our own individual political aspirations for
the interest of The Gambia. There is a saying that
we all want to be Presidents of The Gambia, but there
can be only one Opposition Presidential Candidate
against the dictator of kaninlai.
Our search for democracy and one Gambia should be the
guiding principle for all. I am grateful that during
the infancy of the struggle I have been fortunate to
meet Gambians whose counsel I treasure. I remember
been met by a rowdy individual in Miami who mistook me
as a former Sir Dawda stalwart. The gentleman embarked
in saying that some Mandinkas are upset with Sir Dawda's
overthrow. I asked where he was from and his name.
When he said Sarr, I said "Naphiyo," the gentleman froze
and shook my hand. I said to him I am proud to call myself
half Serre (Kasico in Mandinka). But today I am proud
to call myself a Gambian, period.
As we engage in substantive debates of our intended
purpose and our ability to clearly define our role, I
am force to advocate that we are one tribe and one
Gambia. No political party should subject the electorate
into tribal sentiments. No single opposition party in
The Gambia can unilaterally claim to have a soul right
to our struggle. If we fail to unite, we are doom to
fail come October. Thus, comrades please send in your
contributions. As a product of a Historically Black
College (undergraduate) and a small Methodist private
graduate school, I am proud to say to you "a mind is
a terrible thing to waste.
Naphiyo,
Comrade ML Jassey-Conteh
>>
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