I agree entirely with what Ebrima said as regards the ownership of NADD. He is quite right it does not belong to only those whose names he emntioned, even though they may be the initiators. Like all other political movements, if it is to succeed, then every bonafide Gambian has a say in its transformation into an organisation that would serve the interest of all Gambians, both at home and in the Diaspora.
Like he said, those who are interested in its development should not wait for the leadership to initiate everything, including who its flag bearer should be, but it is the duty of everyone else to participate in that process. Of course the final choice of who the coalition would adopt would rest with the leadership, but at least all other stakeholders have a role in the process.
On the question of Dr. Isatou Touray as a possible presidential candidate, I agree it would be a perfect choice. She has all that it takes to make a credible choice. There are of course some other Gambians who are also capable of delivering the goods. Therefore, it is the duty of everyone to come up with possible names.
Indeed, it should not be assumed that even in the case of the APRC, President Jammeh is the automatic candidate in the next presidential elections. If the party is practising real democracy, then it is up to the party structures to determine who their next candidate would be. 
The political scene in The Gambia promises to be quite interesting, and all of us need to play our different roles as effectively as possible in order to make it work in the interest of everyone.
Best regards to all
Demba
 
----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ebrima Ceesay 
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2005 4:35 PM
  Subject: A Brief Response (Part One)





  My Fellow Gambians,


  I am obliged to briefly respond to some of the messages I have received in response to my "controversial" posting earlier this week. A few of you, among other things, took issue with me over my naming of Dr Isatou Touray as a potential Coalition Presidential Candidate. I intend to send, as promised, something comprehensive at the weekend.


  The freedom to engage in constructive debate is a very healthy thing, and something that everyone should cherish.


  The plight of our country today calls for sober and clear-thinking Gambians to take part in the debate about the future direction of our homeland. As Gambians committed to democracy and the defeat of the APRC criminal regime, we all of us have to be proactive participants rather than passive spectators.


  I have never posted anything to the Internet without weighing what I have written most carefully: I choose every single word with care, and consider the implications of whatever I write before making it public.


  I was well aware that my last posting would be a thought-provoking piece, and I knew that it would generate the range of reactions (both public and private) that it did. I am keenly aware that the issue of the leadership of the Coalition is highly sensitive. In the 2001 elections, a full Coalition never came to fruition because of disagreements on the leadership issue.


  Let us therefore not fool ourselves or pretend here on the Internet as if the forthcoming Presidential Election is going to be an election contest between NADD and Yahya Jammeh. It will be an election between a NADD Presidential Candidate, yet to be named, and Yahya Jammeh. NADD must name a presidential candidate to contest the elections on its behalf. Again, it is vital that we do not make the mistake of believing that the future Presidential election will be a contest between Yahya Jammeh and NADD, the coalition party. 


  It will be an election, I stress, between a NADD Presidential Candidate and Yahya Jammeh of the APRC. NADD has to name a Presidential Candidate to contest the elections on its behalf. Of course, Gambians all over the world will be interested in knowing the identity of the person that NADD itself will choose as its representative. The choice of who will lead the NADD Coalition is critical, and we should be involving ourselves in the debate prior to NADD's choice.


  As Sheikh Ndow suggested, it would be good to remove the politics of personality from African politics, and encourage instead the politics of principles and issues, but we shall fool ourselves if we believe that the politics of personality will ever disappear from any nation's politics. It is part and parcel of the political scenery.


  In my view, it is not going to be easy for the signatories of the NADD Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to reach a consensus over the presidential candidate for the 2006 elections. Of course NADD will eventually make a selection, but we all know that this selection process is going to be far from easy.


  It could well be that NADD has already identified a candidate of choice.


  My own personal view is that it would have been preferable to have made a public announcement about the NADD presidential candidate at the signing of the MOU. However, that is not my decision and I respect the action of NADD to defer this if it so wishes. 


  I do believe that the leadership issue should be brought into the public domain, and we are all aware that Gambians at home and abroad are already heatedly debating this. My reasons for stating my personal preference for Dr Isatou Touray were precisely to get a healthy debate going. The thinking behind the naming of Dr Isatou Touray was deliberate - the aim being to bring the discussions on leadership issue in the public domain, knowing that already Gambians in the Gambia and Gambians abroad were at least in private, debating the matter. 

  These are difficult times for The Gambia and we should all become stakeholders in the future of our nation. In my opinion, we should, as a matter of urgency, start openly discussing who could be a unifying presidential candidate for NADD. We do not need to wait for NADD to name a candidate, only to start expressing reservations about that candidate once the candidate has been named, and when the decision, at that stage, would have been irreversible.


  Now IS the time for Gambians to start putting forward names of people to head the NADD election contest, and for us all to start digging deep into our pockets to support the coalition party. We should have open and public debate. That is what healthy politics and democracy are all about.


  Of course the signatories of the coalition will have the final say. 


  Halifa Sallah, Omar Jallow, Sidia Jatta, Hamat Bah, Lamin Waa Juwara and Ousainou Darboe have initiated the founding of NADD, but they do not own the party. The coalition and its party belong to us, the Gambian people. These men are our servants, not our lords.


  Our views about who would make a good coalition Presidential Candidate are of paramount importance, and will be taken into account by NADD. The leadership issue is not a private matter, and we do have an input to make into the preliminary phase right now. We all need to contribute to the leadership debate. We also need to support the Coalition financially. Everything that the NADD signatories do now in the name of The Gambia is our business, and if there needs to be a Primary election of candidate, in the event of an impasse, then all of us have the democratic right to lobby the party delegates and suggest potential candidates. 


  We cannot wait to name a presidential candidate because we fear for his or her safety and security. We are already well into 2005, and the presidential election is drawing ever closer. We have limited time on our hands, and we do need to start making informed decisions.


  Politics is full of risks and dangers - especially in Yahya Jammeh's Gambia. Whoever accepts the chance to lead our country away from a murderous regime will be taking on a brutal adversary, and will be fully aware of the risks and threats which will come his or her way. The APRC has always fought a dirty fight - the 2006 elections are not going to be any different. However, we have to be prepared to stand up to these Jammeh thugs, and not let issues of personal safety deter us. Whoever takes on the leadership challenge will be fully aware of these issues, and will have made their decision to accept the candidacy in this spirit of awareness.


  Let me again stress that I for one believe that it is vital that we discuss this matter, and others which will inevitably follow, in the open and with urgency. Whoever is put forward to lead the NADD to electoral victory will have the chance to say yes or no to their candidacy. Again, in my view, NOW is the time to start debating the leadership issue and one should feel free - and it is within our democratic rights - to suggest names of potential presidential candidates if you truly believe in someone's impeccable leadership qualities and abilities. I hope we'll not choose to ignore the leadership issue and think it is a private matter to be handled by the NADD alone. 


  I for one would continue to discuss the matter in the open, and if Isatou Touray were to say no to my plea, I would, without delay, suggest another name. I see it as my duty as a concerned Gambian to suggest names of unifying people I think can take our country forward in the post Jammeh era. And if you think or pretend here online that the leadership issue is not a difficult subject, even among NADD members and their various supporters, then I suggest you read Patrick Chabal and Jean Pierre Daloz's book, "Africa Works: Disorder As Political Instrument". I say let's debate the matter in the open. We do not have to know the criteria that NADD is using to select their candidate.


  Our debates will be centred on issues and respectful discussion. Let none of us be side-tracked away from this.


  I considered it vital to post this first general response to all the messages I have received at the earliest opportunity. At the weekend, I shall respond to the individual postings themselves. Bailo Jallow, Sanusi Owens, Sister Ndey Jobarteh and others, I owe you a reply.


  Let us all pray to Almighty God for his guidance, and let the true spirit of democracy be our guiding light.

  Ebrima Ceesay (Coach)

  Birmingham, UK




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