>
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Date: 2004/06/29 Tue PM 08:45:41 EDT
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [>-<] The Lasting impact of a coalition
>
> The immediate objective in the quest for a comprehensive coalition is to
> effect a regime change .As the parties work to fashion an entity to be the vehicle
> for this much needed and important project,  they are simultaneously laying
> the foundation for a political architecture that would make our country second
> to none in our continent in terms democracy and pluralism. When these good
> folks conclude this critical national project and go on to win an election they
> can't loose, politics will never be the same from Kartong to Koina and from
> Barra to Sami Baling-to. It helps matters that all the parties currently
> negotiating are at their core very strong proponents of the primacy of the rule of law
> and see partcipatory democracy praticed in a free, fair and rule based
> context as the only way to move the country forward with the Gambian people
> eternally in charge of the fate and direction of their nation.Here are some of the
> siemic changes we can expect when when the coalition assumes power:
>
> 1-Redefinition of Leaders and Leadership: Gambians would for the first time
> experience leaders and a style of leadership that would revolve around them and
> their issues as opposed to the diabolical tendencies of self perpetuation and
> selfishness. Additionally this coalition would mitigate against concentrating
> too much power in the hands of one individual or faction, a condition that
> would nurture consensus building and also protect minority positions especially
> on critical policy matters.The diversity of leadership that would constitute
> the executive would bring greater depth and perspective which in turn would
> spawn careful deliberation and debate all within the context of solving the
> nations problems. This would replace the incompetence, corruption and foolishness
> that passes for policy making in the current regime. Facing a catastrophy in
> nearly all aspect of national life, the coalition leadership would be bring a
> work ethic that would seek to inspire the rest of the nation . They would do
> that by fully and demonstrably assuming responsibilty , defining the problems,
> prescribing solutions and focusing on achieving results. That too would be a
> welcome departure from the incompetence and excuse making that is the M.O of
> Yahya and his cronies who sleep on the job and ALWAYS blame other people  for
> grave national failures.They have never taken responsibilty for anything including
> daylight murders they have committed.Finally the coalition leadership would
> be far more persuasive and successful in conducting our nation's business
> beyond our borders especially after they quickly move to consolidate democracy,
> transparency and the rule of law and demonstrate that they are good custodians of
> the limited resources of The Gambian people.They will attract more aid and
> investment both by dint of their characters and the kinds of policies they would
> adapt. They will revamp our foreign policy and reorganise our embassies which
> today are so poorly run and underfunded that they ressemble ramshackle
> provincial extension offices run by people like Kabba Bajo , a guy who ought not
> drive a diplomat much less be one. He simply doesn't know what he is doing and
> yet this is the guy who is supposed to conduct Gambia's important business in
> the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the gulf states and Southeast Asia.Chei!
>
> 2-The Birth of a real plural democracy:The success of the coalition will
> usher in an era that would witness the flourishing of various political parties
> and for the first time in our history Gambians will have an equal opportunity to
> see and hear from all the legal parties in the country. No longer would one
> faction be able to monopolise the political life of the nation through the
> unfair application of government and it's resources. Through legislation and
> regulation, political parties would all be treated the same at all times and under
> all circumstances. Campaign laws and a reconstituted and credible IEC would
> ensure a permanent level playing feild thus giving Gambians the opportunity to
> learn as much as they wish to from all the folks seeking their mandate. This
> would in turn foster greater competition among the various parties and give
> greater weight to merit as opposed to connections which uptill now has been the
> surest way to get elected . All of this would contribute to the education of The
> Gambian voter and make him less vulnerable to coercion and manipulation and
> would simultaneously also attract talented people who may not otherwise feel
> comfortable trying their hand at public service. Even better would be our
> achievement of what obtains in mature democracies and that is the periodic transfer
> of power from one party to the other in a peaceful orderly way without rancor
> and  dangerous polarisation. With a stable political dispensation
> charactersied by full particiaption of all legal parties, we can strengthen and reform the
> rest of our institutions, build our economy , give our people hope and shine
> as an example in a continent that has varoiusly brought pity, redicule and
> devastation on it's people even as the rest of the world marches into progress.
> From our little perch of real estate, we can be an example of a people who face
> down evil in our midst, work together , embrace honesty and integrity and
> build a progressive society that respects the rights of the citizen  and
> challenges him to make his community and nation better than he found it.
>        Today the burden of a critical national project vis-a-vis the
> formation of a comprehensive coalition of  the opposition lies with the leadership of
> the five registered parties. They are all working very hard to successfully
> conclude the talks. We pray that The Almighty continue to guide and repose
> wisdom in them for the fate of our nation hangs precariously in the balance. The
> urgency of the matter requires difficult choices be made by all parties in all
> areas within the spirit of compromise and reason. I have total confidence in
> all of the folks working on this project and I am heartened by the potent
> dynamic that has already been created by the impressive efforts currently underway
> in Jarra. The coalition terminology has now been permanently etched into the
> political discourse , a fact that points to the near certainty of a successful
> outcome of the talks .This is not lost on the negotiators. Still they need our
> collective prayers and encouragement  and i urge folks to do just that.
> Thanks
> Karamba
>
>

I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something he will die for,
he isn't fit to live.
Martin Luther King Jr.,

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