As Opposition Coalition Holds PDOIS Makes Position Clear




The Independent (Banjul)

August 20, 2001
Posted to the web August 20, 2001

Sheikh Al-Kinky Sanyang
Banjul, the Gambia

As the coalition of opposition parties is riddled in political turmoil, the
Peoples' Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) have
spelt out their position.

Speaking to The Independent at their Bundungka Kunda bureau on Friday Halifa
Sallah said their position was that opposition parties must create an agenda
to empower the people and then form a coalition in the first or second round
of the forthcoming October presidential elections.

He said once there is an agenda to empower the people, PDOIS can always be
part of any coalition, but would never help any party to come to power just
to preside over the ignorance, poverty and subjugation of the people.

Mr. Sallah warned that a country needs a government, which is sensitive and
responsive to the needs and aspirations of her people. He also said that an
alternative government, should be sensitive and responsive, and shadowed by
a mature opposition.

Explaining PDOIS' absence at the inter-party meeting of the opposition at
the YMCA, Sallah said they did not receive any letter of invitation and
heard of the meeting after it had started. He added that during a telephone
conversation with the chairman of the meeting Assan Musa Camara of the GPP
they suggested for a postponement for at least a day or two to enable them
participate. But he added that to their surprise a press conference was held
on that same day indicating that Darboe has been selected to be the
coalition's presidential candidate.

'In our view the opposition made a big blunder and instead of having a
united opposition, factions have now developed," he charged. To convene a
meeting of opposition parties, Mr. Sallah suggested that each party should
state its minimum programme for a coalition and where there are no points
for agreement to dislodge the Jammeh administration they could still agree
not to form a coalition in the first round by expressing intention to form
it in the second round.

However, the renowned sociologist claimed that the fundamental error made by
the organizers was their failure to get the ideas of all opposition parties
regarding the meeting. He said PDOIS would have told them to form an ad-hoc
committee comprising the administrative secretaries of all the opposition
parties and give them the mandate to prepare the venue, time and agenda of
the meeting. He added that a minimum guideline should have been prepared
indicating the procedures to make a decision either by majority vote or by
consensus, which would require a unanimous vote. To encourage transparency,
he said civic societies and organizations could have also been invited to
witness.

"A coalition candidate selected under such circumstances would have earned
tremendous support, respect and authority," he suggested.

To still uphold the integrity of the opposition Mr. Sallah, revealed that
PDOIS have written another proposal for a coalition to all opposition
parties based on the one year transition programme, comprising civic
education over radio and TV to enlighten the people to free them
intimidation or inducement. Further more, he noted that all political
parties would have access to radio and TV with a view to putting their
programmes before the electorates without insults or promoting any
sectionalist feeling.

According to Mr. Sallah all constitutional and legal provisions hindering
the pursuit of rights to stand in election or to ensure redress or grievance
would be repealed. He said in that sequence elections would have been held
after the expiration of one-year term by the president of the coalition. He
clearly pointed out that if their proposal was not accepted PDOIS would go
alone or consider alliance with any political party, which agrees with the
agenda to empower the people.


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