Hamjatta,

The points you raised in your memorandum of 16 April have been noted. Feel
free to send me personal mails to raise any question for further
clarification. This is a time to share. All views need to be taken on board.

It is, however, necessary to explain certain things to you that may enable
you to understand our position better.

You would agree with me that in order to be the guardians of our own
destiny, we must address the exigencies of the passing moment and the
demands of the emerging future. We have a responsibility to address both
demands. This is precisely the reason why we operate at both levels. We do
take measures to address concerns that are of immediate consideration, and
we do operate at the level of a political party aimed at ensuring the
complete transformation of the society.

The students demonstration was beyond partisan politics and it gave birth to
a coalition of students who are moved and bound by their outrage for the
killing of Ebrima Barry and the raping of Binta Manneh. The delay in the
criminal justice system led them to take action in unison. In that respect,
they put the criminal justice system on trial. Their lack of faith in the
system is what compelled them to call for a demonstration in order to give
sharp focus to the issue so that its negligence will be inconceivable. The
students were, therefore, struggling for standards and values. They were
willing to give their lives for those standards and values. They were
determined to have a voice and be heard. They were determined to be seen.
They were not willing to compromise their position. The authorities who were
dealing with them did not realise how far the students were ready to ensure
that they were not ignored.

What we have been doing is simply to explain this reality.
All Gambians now know that the right to peaceful demonstrate is a democratic
right which should be respected. That failure to recognise such rights can
lead to national upheaval. This national upheaval did take place as the
authorities tried to restrict the demands of the students.

Now, we are confronted with the demands arising from the catastrophe.
Students are arrested and they need to be released. Some are tortured and
they redress. Properties are destroyed and there is need for reconstruction.

People have been demanding for a public enquiry. They want
to know whether live bullets were utilised which led to the death of
students. They want a fair and speedy trial in connection with Ebrima
Barry's case. They want a commission of enquiry to know what actually
happened. These are their demands.

It is left to the government to ignore these demands or address them. It is
not for us to indicate whether we are sure that this time anything would be
different. It is for us to amplify the immediate demands of the people.
Whether the response of the Attorney General is simply meant to be a mere
bait to shift attentions from what is really wrong with the country and that
the investigations would be half-hearted or not, is left to their practice.

What is abundantly clear is that the will of the people has been asserted
and a government ignores that will at its own peril; no government can
ignore the people's concerns with impunity when the people are determined to
matter.

You have mentioned the strategic objective of not only demanding for justice
in dealing with this particular incident, but to ensure a change of
leadership. Of course you know that we also operate an opposition party in
order to address
the demands of the emerging future; that is the demand for total political
change. As far as we are concerned, even if the demands of the passing
moments are addressed, that does not negate the major demands of the people
for economic prosperity and fullest empowerment.

Hence, we are committed to amplifying the demands of the moment and giving
suggestions regarding the means to address them, as well as the total
transformation of the society.

What we have been trying to do is to explain that this is not a law and
order issue, opposition and ruling party; it is a struggle to expand the
democratic space. It is a refusal to live the old way and a demand for a new
way. No government, which is refuses to acknowledge this, can govern this
country in peace. This is the fundamental lesson that should be gathered.

Suffice it to say, it is the duty of the opposition parties to express these
demands of the people clearly and offer them a political alternative. The
party in office also has its prerogative to do whatever it desires to try to
address the concerns of the people.

What is important is for the standards required for addressing the
grievances of the moment to be set and weigh practice against the standards.
I hope our position is clear.

As for the question of a coalition, this is a tactical instrument. Political
parties, whether in Senegal or Gambia, can establish coalitions. That is
also dictated by circumstances. Your suggestion is noted.

Keep in touch.


Greetings.

Halifa Sallah.

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