IS NADD A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE IN GAMBIAN POLITICS:
By The Editor's Desk ( progressiveafricans.com)
Ebou Jallow's insightful analyses of NADD and its ultimate demise is much food for thought. Indeed, the rushed formation of a coalition bears all the hallmark of of an unplanned and ill-conceived idea, which ended up as afailed plan. What was most surprising however, the position of authority assumed by Halifa Sallah, in defense of the constitutionality of NADD viz-a-viz its constituent parties.
It is common knowledge that Ousainou Darboe is a well trained and experienced lawyer and legal draughtsperson. It stands to reason therefore, that a matter as important as the interpretation of the constitution, a significant test case for NADD to demonstrate to the Gambian public, and indeed, the international community, its political superiority and knowledge of the law, should have been handled by Ousainou Darboe. The uninformed position assumed by NADD therefore a laughing matter when the judicial ruling was handed, in favor of the APRC who had challenged the legality of the co-existence of NADD with its constituent parties. This faux-pas by the coalition already planted the seed of doubt as to the political correctness of the coalition. Perhaps more importantly, it betrayed the denials of the members to accept Ousainou’s leadership from the word go.
More recently, we have seen another shade of NADD's true color in the way they handled the recent charges of sedition brought against three of its members. Whereas OJ and Hamat Bah are being represented by Ousainou Darboe, and rightly too, Halifa has decided to represent himself. The public expected to see a show of solidarity where Ousainou or a pool of lawyers will represent all three accused. Halifa's position appears to be a dissent from the others and is further proof of the deep divide between the groups. In fact, it is understood that Ousainou refused flatly to represent Halifa, even after their Chairman, Hassan Musa pleaded with Ousainou.
It should not be surprising that NADD is in disarray. Remember that this is a group of convenience with very different political ideologies. It is a melee of socialists, communists and a branch of no known political ideology.
What is even more worrisome is the arrangement (as per their Memorandum of Understanding), which calls for a transitional tenure. Obviously, this is not well thought out as, what it means is that no aid will flow into the country and, no foreign investments should be expected during this period of uncertainty. No sensible donor or investor is going to take the risk of doing business with Gambia if (God Forbid) a NADD coalition were to assume power under such an arrangement. Donors and investors want stability and continuity, not a half-baked arrangement such as is proposed by NADD.
To crown it all, we are right now witnessing a severe crisis of leadership among the NADD membership. It reminds one of Chinua Achebe's classic: Things Fall Apart, The Center No Longer Holds. The coalition was not founded on a genuine desire to work for the betterment of the Gambian people. It was founded in a hurry, to satisfy the personal agenda of its members. Therefore it is unable to stand public scrutiny and the vagaries of the political weather. The question being asked now is - Is NADD a viable alternative platform as a matter of choice for the Gambian People.
© Copyright Progressive Africans..
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