Comrades:
I want to take a moment in commenting on Sister Jabou's informative dialogue on the issue of "Save The Gambia Fund." It is really worth time for us to realistically advocate collective and decentralized participation.
I had talked to Joe, Sister Sophie, Ous Mbenga, and other Gambians at the ALD meeting that our initiative for this fund drive may materialize if we decentralize our collection process. I also stated that we need community involvement instead of a centralize initiative. I also asserted that the opposition should pay visits to different communities and hear their concerns.
We should set up individual fund drive initiatives in our locations. My concern is that very few people have access to computers, let alone GambiaL or the Post. It will provide momentum if we can let every community collect funds for the opposition.
When OJ, Alhagie Landing Sonko, and others came to Raleigh, I advocated that we set up decentralized fund raising intiatives for the opposition. I also asserted that the opposition should visit the Gambian communities in the U.S.
If the executive board is to be formed, we should advertise this intiative and encourage Gambians from different states to indicate their willingness to serve. An opposition political platform, without participatory democracy yields self-destruction.
I hope those involved in this novel initiative can take Sister Jabou's and my concerns into consideration.
Naphiyo,
ML Jassey-Conteh
-------Original Message-------
From: [log in to unmask]
Sent: 07/28/03 07:31 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Save The Gambia Fund
>
> Joe,
I am one of those people who pledged my support for the Save The Gambia
Fund,
but I also did say that I will make my contributions when I know there is
a
solid opposition with a clear agenda laid out. Otherwise in my view, we
will
collect funds only to delegate that our individual contributions go to the
parties of our choice.
Perhaps I made a mistake by adding my name to the list at this time, with
this condition attached,and if it will become a tool for deriding people,
then I
would like to have my name removed from the list until I feel that there
is a
solid coalition opposition to fund, and at that time, you can bet I
personally
will put my money where my mouth is.
I know it is imperative that this coalition be organized and organized
well.
I also know that it will take a lot of work and dedication to lay out
clearly
what this coalition will look like, the rules under which it will operate,
what they will accomplish if they win the elections, how long it will be
in
place, and what reforms will be undertaken by them to pave the way for a
free and
legal open election eventually.I was told this roadmap will be put
together by
cooperation between the diaspora committees and the political parties on
the
ground working together to eventually come up with the final document.
It was said here that a report on the summit in Atlanta will be posted and
I
know a lot of people are waiting for that to provide them with some basic
information. If it was posted to the GL, I missed it, and I believe
Momodou
Sidibeh enquired about this report the other day.
I had made enquiries as to how things will be organized as far as the
diasporans were concerned, i.e what our role will be, and how the effort
will be
coordinated and it was at this time that I was told given the above
information.
I was later informed that the organizers of the summit were accepting
nominations for names to form a committee, so it would seem then that the
committes
are not open for people to just volunteer to help, they have to be
selected by
someone.
In essence, so far, at least on the GL, there is not much information
about
what is being organized and who is organizing it, and whether they are
looking
for volunteers or not.
I think that unless this is considereed priviledged information, those who
are the organizers perhaps need to provide some basic information about
what is
going on and provide some direction to those who are willing to assist, or
simply keep them informed so as not to defeat the purpose of the idea.
Even if
there is already a group that has been selected by someone to serve on
these
committees, It would be wise to provide information to the general public
in
the diaspora so they can feel they are part of the process and will be
encouraged to lend their assistance financially or in other ways.
Jabou Joh
[log in to unmask] writes:>
>
> Folks, I am appealing to all that pledged to show that they are serious
> about saving the Gambia by sending in their contributions. Please take
a
> look at the attached list and honestly ask yourself whether you've
measured
> up. Folks, talk alone is not going to save the Gambia, just as Jammeh's
> preaching is not feeding our farmers. The real fight to get rid of Yaya
has
> just begun and Yaya knows that, which is why he is on the offensive
against
> the Alternative party leaders. We asked the party leaders to come
together
> and wrestle the criminal that is Yaya out. However, we are not
> demonstrating that we are serious on our request because we are way
under
> budget on raising the funds we are capable of raising. We also need to
be
> serious about forming the committees that we talked about. Why is it
that
> we are quick to request or state what we need to do or not do as a
people
> but drag our feet when it comes to putting a cent where our mouth is?
We've
> done that ever since Jammeh stole power and it has not gained us nothing
but
> more corruption and increased poverty of our people. We all know what
it
> will take to bring down Yaya, but where we fall woefully short is
providing
> financial support to the Alternative. Why is that? If we just talk
about
> the plight of the masses on cyberspace but don't match our words with
our
> financial responsibility, then we are not helping them much, for talk is
the
> cheapest commodity on the block and they can do just that. Infact, they
are
> doing just that in their bedrooms, or whenever electricity is out, which
is
> all the time. So, please let us reconsider our attitude towards saving
the
> Gambia. Let us not just say it, let us act it. So, before you send
your
> next article to speak on behalf of Gambians or their plight, please ask
> yourself if you really earned the privilege to do so. Aside from being
> Gambian by birth or other process, are you fulfilling the responsibility
> that comes with citizenship? We are in a state of crisis that not only
> requires our intellect, but also our wallet as well, and I think we are
too
> intelligent to be reminded of this.
>
> Please send your donations to Joe Sambou, 8046 S. Kimbark Ave., Chicago,
IL
> 60619. I also encourage people to order the coalition summit tapes from
> Kebba Foon or myself. I got a copy and I highly recommend that those
that
> did not make it to Atlanta get a copy. You'll have the chance to hear
all
> that was said and it will help you follow the journey that we'll pledged
to
> continue. Thanks for your consideration in this very important issue.
>
> Chi Jaama
>
> Joe Sambou
>
> _________________________________________________________________
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