Well, brother Musa, your attitude never changed in this subject saved for
that brief moment in 2011 when you favoured a UDP led alliance, a support
you later reneged on unceremoniously. For you, it is always UDP that have
to move the earth and the skies for a coalition to happen. Halifa should
just wait in his slumber of intransigence for everybody to come around and
submit or succumb to his total whims and caprices. That makes me always ask
myself who on this earth is Halifa Sallah?
You kept calling for a so-called none partisan coalition against all advice
to the effect that as far as the constitution is concern, no organisation
other than a political party has the standing to sponsor a candidate in a
public election even if that candidate is an independent.- this does not
preclude an independent candidate sponsoring him/herself in a public
election-. Since a coalition or alliance is not a political party, what
this means is that you have to have a leading political party to serve as a
vanguard for the coalition in order to be able to legally sponsor a
candidate in the 2016 presidential elections. That is what UDP's proposal
is all about.
I bet Halifa told you something difference. Well, he did the same thing in
the NADD registration matter to avoid a UDP led alliance and against all
advice. You know what happened next.
You also provide no valid justification as to why the conventional norm of
coalition formation between political parties should be abandoned for
Halifa’s fish and chips. Halifa has been opposed to a UDP led alliance
since 2001. According to him in 2001 on Radio 1 FM, UDP should not have
existed in the first place since PDOIS was already there in 1996 and that
the proponents of UDP should have joined his party rather than forming
their own. As unreasonable as it may sound, this has nonetheless been
Halifa’s grievance all these years. To add insult to his perceived injury,
UDP pulled far more votes in 1996 than Halifa’s decade old PDOIS and
continue to do the same in every subsequent general election. This remains
a score in Halifa’s eyes and that means he will say anything to avoid a UDP
led alliance.
It looks like all what people like you who knows Halifa well are doing is
asking the UDP to give comfort to his egos. Well, we are not doing that,
thank you very much. We have a legitimacy to protect, principles to defend
and laws to comply with.
I have stated above Halifa’s reason for not joining a UDP led alliance of
2001. In 2006, he said he does not want to help Alhagi Ousainu to become an
elite but he (Halifa) allow himself to be nominated as presidential
candidate in that year’s presidential elections in order to become the
elite he does not want to help Alhagi Ousainu to be. In 2011, he said UDP’s
votes of 2006 was a drop and yet he would not explain how his own share of
the votes in the same election barely crossed the 5% threshold despite been
backed by a coalition of political parties. God knows what he is coming up
with next. The point is, Halifa will always find an excuse to avoid a UDP
led alliance. You all know this but because you think you can't make him
change attitude, you now want to take UDP for granted and as a soft target.
It does not have to be like this, my friend. Forget about Halifa and PDOIS
and lets move ahead with the national cause. The UDP cannot be taken for
granted and it is definitely not a soft target.
You also suggested in the radio that UDP is refusing to respond to PDOIS's
Agenda 2016 as if there is a need to do so or that the agenda was
officially presented to the UDP. Besides, what is the difference between
PDOIS’s Agenda 2011 and their Agenda 2016? Was it not you who said UDP’s
proposal of 2011 accommodates all the safeguards addressed in the NADD MOU
and PDOIS's 2011 AGENDA. If that sounds like a compromise (you can’t say it
isn’t and by the way, PDOIS did not reciprocate UDP’s concessions), why
then does everything has to be in total convergence with Halifa Sallah's
will and wish? Who the hell is he after all?
This matter will have to be resolved on the basis of a compromise that is
in tandem with constitutional law and the fundamental principles that
underpins coalition politics in the world that we live in. If Halifa Sallah
wants to cling onto ideology, or his delusional narcissism and personal
ego, then that is a matter for him. The rest of us should move ahead with
the national cause.
As the leading opposition party in the country and regardless of what
anybody says, the UDP has a legitimacy to lead any coalition it becomes
part of as a matter of the democratic principle that underpins coalition
politics and in line with international standards and practices. That
argument will only cease to be made if the party is no longer the biggest
opposition party in the country. This is something that you must understand
or they will be trapped in their own folly.
However, the UDP recognises that it cannot call for a coalition that is
based entirely on its programmes. That is why we agreed to PDOIS’s 5yr
transition proposal and their proposal about the successful presidential
candidate serving only one term and not seeking re-election in the
subsequent election or to support another candidate in that election. If
they have more of these kinds of proposals, they should bring them forward
so that the UDP can look at them and see how best we can accommodate the
same.
There is total convergence on the constitutional reform issue and that
makes that a none contentious issue.
Thanks
Daffeh
On 30 August 2014 10:14, UDP United Kingdom <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Well
>
>
> On 30 August 2014 02:58, Musa Jeng <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>> Which comment in particular are you concern with? I may be able to make
>> some clarification, as you know context is everything.
>>
>> Thank you
>> ------------------------------
>> *From: *"UDP United Kingdom" <[log in to unmask]>
>> *To: *"and, The" <[log in to unmask]>
>> *Sent: *Friday, August 29, 2014 1:53:05 AM
>>
>> *Subject: *Re: [G_L] We can defeat Jammeh at polls in 2016 - Sidia Jatta
>> on 2016 Elections
>>
>> And by the way, I am glad you said you are not married to any specific
>> formula because your comments on fatu radio are a bit of a concern to me.
>>
>> Thanks
>> Daffeh
>>
>> On Friday, 29 August 2014, UDP United Kingdom <[log in to unmask]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Brother Musa, I am glad you see the humour in my branding. But as for a
>>> stumbling block, I think you know better who that is. It is none but Halifa
>>> Sallah and only Halifa Sallah. You guys keep saying he is principle as if
>>> the rest of us are a bunch of jelly fish. I am principle too.
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>> Daffeh
>>>
>>> On Friday, 29 August 2014, Musa Jeng <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Brother Daffeh:
>>>>
>>>> The flip flopper tag put a smile on my face, even though I am sure that
>>>> was not your intent. This may not make sense to you, but when it comes to
>>>> coalition as a tactic, I continue to believe that it can give us the change
>>>> we all yearn for. I am not married to any specific coalition tactic, and
>>>> will always look for the compromising position that will finally give all
>>>> Gambians the opportunity to vote and fight to bring an end to the APRC
>>>> regime. The Daffeh's of this world are the stumbling blocs to our efforts
>>>> to find a common ground in our struggle against Jammeh, and that is
>>>> unfortunate.
>>>>
>>>> Thank you
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>> *From: *"UDP United Kingdom" <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> *To: *"and, The" <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> *Sent: *Thursday, August 28, 2014 5:16:39 AM
>>>> *Subject: *Re: [G_L] We can defeat Jammeh at polls in 2016 - Sidia
>>>> Jatta on 2016 Elections
>>>>
>>>> Guys, I was only putting tnt from yurhe records straight because it
>>>> looks like PDIOS leaders still don't know how to live the life of a
>>>> dignified elder. They keep distorting facts and misleading people in every
>>>> step of the way. The coalition debate is not yet around and when the time
>>>> comes, you will have answers to your concerns.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>> Daffeh
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 28 August 2014 08:31, kejau <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I think that will only work with a boycott as it will be insane to
>>>>> follow a candidate who is barred from standing, even if unconstitutionally.
>>>>> I think UDP should allow negotiations and depart from their party led
>>>>> coalition even if it means bringing in more delegates proportionate to
>>>>> their perceived majority or suggest another alternative to their
>>>>> uncompromising stance.
>>>>>
>>>>> KR
>>>>> Kejau
>>>>> Sent from Samsung Mobile
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -------- Original message --------
>>>>> From: Demba Baldeh
>>>>> Date:28/08/2014 08:18 (GMT+01:00)
>>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Subject: Re: We can defeat Jammeh at polls in 2016 - Sidia Jatta on
>>>>> 2016 Elections
>>>>>
>>>>> A Darboe candidate actually could have worked or could still work and
>>>>> the governing agenda could be an independent one. See what we are not able
>>>>> to overcome is that we are not getting anywhere with individual parties. So
>>>>> if the fear was for one party NOT an individual to dominate the transition
>>>>> leadership then I think it makes sense to have Darboe lead a coalition
>>>>> under a different banner.. I think it was pretty much the same as Hamat Bah
>>>>> leading a coalition under an independent ticket...
>>>>>
>>>>> I sincerely think politically the UDP has an advantage either way...
>>>>> It is a matter of taking us through a transition successfully with the
>>>>> needed reforms and we can battle it out base on party merits. No political
>>>>> party should be afraid of contesting under a free and fair system..
>>>>>
>>>>> So the question really is since Darboe is constitutionally ineligible
>>>>> (unless we find a way to change the existing one) could a formula be
>>>>> advanced to have him possibly lead a transition under an independent banner
>>>>> in 2016 and then form a national unity government with five permanent
>>>>> members for the transition from all the political parties who cannot be
>>>>> fired by the elected President... Once Jammeh is out and the reforms are
>>>>> effected Darboe could step aside and allow others including a new UDP
>>>>> leadership to contest the elections..
>>>>>
>>>>> I think Darboe will be honored to lead a transition of 2 years or 5
>>>>> fives... After all he would become President for one term... which may
>>>>> never be attainable under the current circumstances... Any thoughts...
>>>>> Again we must brainstorm ideas and look to move forward as a country with
>>>>> or without individual leadership...
>>>>>
>>>>> We can do something Gambians that is historic... Who will be counted
>>>>> is another issue...
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>
>>>>> Demba
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Wed, Aug 27, 2014 at 7:42 PM, UDP United Kingdom <
>>>>> [log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Prior to the coalition meeting of 2011, Hamat was quoted in the
>>>>>> media as saying that he was going to be a candidate with or without a
>>>>>> coalition and that those who wants unity should rally behind him and the
>>>>>> NRP.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Once it was clear that UDP was not going to be foolish enough to
>>>>>> embrace Halifa's convention idea, Hamat saw can opportunity for himself to
>>>>>> became a coalition candidate. He decided to exploit it by declaring his
>>>>>> support for Halifa's convention proposal.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Knowing fully that the only thing that could keep Hamat in his
>>>>>> proposed coalition arrangement was his (Hamat) candidacy, Halifa decided to
>>>>>> grant him his wish and save his own face by withdrawing from the race and
>>>>>> thereby paving a smooth way for Hamat to become the candidate he so
>>>>>> uncompromisingly wanted to be. This was how Hamat became associated with
>>>>>> the convention idea but his position was initially for a Party led allaince
>>>>>> albeit NRP one.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Another point clarified.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Thursday, 28 August 2014, UDP United Kingdom <
>>>>>> [log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Well maybe we should wait until the proportion of votes actually
>>>>>>> changed and then we can talk about another form of coalition. As it stands
>>>>>>> now, nothing has changed and that means nothing will change in respect to
>>>>>>> the coalition approach.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> By the way; the UDP never proposed a Lawyer Darboe led allaince but
>>>>>>> a UDP led allaince. It was Landing Jallow Sonko who proposed a Lawyer
>>>>>>> Darboe led allaince and even Darboe himself rejected this saying it is not
>>>>>>> about him and that the UDP can choose a different candidate if they so wish.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Thursday, 28 August 2014, UDP United Kingdom <
>>>>>>> [log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Well maybe we should wait until the proportion of votes actually
>>>>>>>> changed and then we can talk about another form of coalition. As it stands
>>>>>>>> now, nothing has changed and that means nothing will change in respect to
>>>>>>>> coalition approach.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> By the UDP never proposed a Lawyer Darbboe led allaince but a UDP
>>>>>>>> led allaince. It was Landing Jallow Sonko who proposed a Lawyer Darboe led
>>>>>>>> allaince and even Darboe himself rejected this saying it is not about him
>>>>>>>> and that the UDP can choose a different candidate if they so wish.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Thursday, 28 August 2014, Kejau Touray <[log in to unmask]>
>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> OK, I see, a UDP led coalition, based on the fact that the UDP had
>>>>>>>>> more votes in 2006 than the rest of the opposition parties. Politics is
>>>>>>>>> dynamic and it proportion of votes are bound to change, hence the need to
>>>>>>>>> have elections every five year, otherwise the party with the majority many
>>>>>>>>> years ago will still be in government if that historic count is what
>>>>>>>>> counts. I think there is a need now to formulate another coalition formulae
>>>>>>>>> rather than party led coalition based on historic data if we are serious
>>>>>>>>> about defeating Jammeh at the polls, especially in the view of the age
>>>>>>>>> limit and the fact that Hon. Ousainou Darboe may not stand this time even
>>>>>>>>> if later.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Kejau
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Thank you, by the way, kindly remind us what exactly was it that
>>>>>>>>> UDP proposed? This discourse is important, if we are to avoid a repeat of
>>>>>>>>> 2011 in 2016.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> KR
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Kejau
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>>>>> Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2014 23:44:58 +0100
>>>>>>>>> From: [log in to unmask]
>>>>>>>>> Subject: We can defeat Jammeh at polls in 2016 - Sidia Jatta on
>>>>>>>>> 2016 Elections
>>>>>>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Correction; what actually happened was that the UDP invited all
>>>>>>>>> the parties to a meeting in order to discuss their coalition proposal. In
>>>>>>>>> that meeting some parties rejected UDP's proposal while others supported
>>>>>>>>> it. PDOIS presented a counter proposal which was also not accepted by the
>>>>>>>>> UDP, GMC, PPP and NRP. However, after the conference has effectively ended
>>>>>>>>> but before the signing of the communique, NRP changed position and decided
>>>>>>>>> to support pdois's proposal.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> After the final communique, parties went away and started working
>>>>>>>>> on their respective preferences of coalition formula and there has not been
>>>>>>>>> any contact or communication between the parties from this point until
>>>>>>>>> after the elections when the Group of Six was initiated and later formed.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Proportional representation was never part of pdois's proposal. As
>>>>>>>>> a matter of fact, pdois's coalition proposal's was premised on the concept
>>>>>>>>> of equality of sovereign parties, something people like myself find utterly
>>>>>>>>> absurd.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> It was at some point when there was a break and before
>>>>>>>>> negotiation ended, a period of stalemate if you like to call it that, that
>>>>>>>>> Musa Jeng of STGDP proposed proportional representation as a way of pushing
>>>>>>>>> UDP towards pdois's line. Barely a week before this, the same Musa Jeng was
>>>>>>>>> in the media acknowledging the very fundamental concessions UDP made to
>>>>>>>>> PDOIS and the rest of the country and had argued that PDOIS should accept
>>>>>>>>> UDP proposal in the light of those concessions as all the essentials were
>>>>>>>>> present in the proposal. PDOIS never heeded to his advice neither did they
>>>>>>>>> reciprocate UDP's concessions. The UDP too did not respond to
>>>>>>>>> Musa's proposal but I took the opportunity to ask him whether in the light
>>>>>>>>> of his own admission that UDP's proposal contains all the essentials,
>>>>>>>>> he was now calling for a coalition that was based on the totality of Halifa
>>>>>>>>> Sallah's will rather than compromise?? That question too was never
>>>>>>>>> answered. What was however clear is that Musa made a 360 degrees U turn
>>>>>>>>> within a span of a week or two. A classic flip flopper, isn't he?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> There is absolutely nothing whatsoever in pdois's proposal that
>>>>>>>>> justifies an inter-party primary or convention to choose a coalition
>>>>>>>>> candidate against all conventions and norms known to coalition politics.
>>>>>>>>> All the issues they talked about in their Agenda 2011 and 2016 were
>>>>>>>>> adequately addressed in the UDP proposal and/or by the party's
>>>>>>>>> representatives at the 2011 coalition meetings.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> A UDP presidential candidate is always someone who has been
>>>>>>>>> democratically elected at a party congress and we expect that parties who
>>>>>>>>> wish to coalesce with the UDP will respect that sovereign decision of the
>>>>>>>>> party's general membership as a matter of democracy principle.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> UDP was never invited to nominate 12 delegates neither has it had
>>>>>>>>> any cause to complain about parties been allocated a given number of
>>>>>>>>> delegates as the party was not part of the group that subscribed to the
>>>>>>>>> convention idea and have not been involved in any convention discussion or
>>>>>>>>> preparation. It never subscribed to it and had nothing to do with it
>>>>>>>>> whatsoever. Thus, any suggestion to the contrary is a fib.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Like I said above, all the parties were busy working on their
>>>>>>>>> coalition arrangements and UDP's coalition arrangement had no convention
>>>>>>>>> component. The party had already done that at its 2010 Jarra Soma
>>>>>>>>> Congress. They also did not have any contact with PDOIS until after the
>>>>>>>>> 2011 elections when G6 was initiated.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>>> Daffeh
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Wednesday, 27 August 2014, Kejau Touray <[log in to unmask]>
>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Honourable Sidia Jatta a former presidential candidate for one of
>>>>>>>>> the longest standing political parties in The Gambia, PDOIS, uttered these
>>>>>>>>> remarks at a press conference....
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Hon Sidia Jatta explained his exertion with facts and figures
>>>>>>>>> including the fact that even though the opposition parties boycotted the
>>>>>>>>> last parliamentary elections, the independence without any party support
>>>>>>>>> and resources pulled 74,000 votes compared to the incumbent party's 84000
>>>>>>>>> votes, this clearly shows the fact the electorates want change and are
>>>>>>>>> ready to change the government come 2016. He reiterated the fact that the
>>>>>>>>> boycott was aimed at showing Gambians and the world that the elections are
>>>>>>>>> not fair in The Gambia and that aim has been achieved and that they are not
>>>>>>>>> poised to plan another boycott. 'We were elbowed out by the incumbent in
>>>>>>>>> fact and we did not boycott', he said.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> He went unto to say that his party, PDOIS, since the successful
>>>>>>>>> launch of the political manifesto, have organised rallies and are on a
>>>>>>>>> village to village campaign trail across the country, meeting and talking
>>>>>>>>> to Gambians at every bantaba, every compound in every village and town
>>>>>>>>> about the citizens sovereign rights and explaining the agenda to them, so
>>>>>>>>> far the response has been fantastic. He further urged all the other
>>>>>>>>> opposition political parties to follow in their footsteps. i.e. to produce
>>>>>>>>> a manifesto, go on a campaign trail and sensitize and sell their party
>>>>>>>>> agendas until mid 2015.and if there is no electoral reforms until then,
>>>>>>>>> they can come together as a coalition and contest elections as a single
>>>>>>>>> entity.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> This coalition formation will hopefully be in the same way they
>>>>>>>>> followed last elections until Hamat Bah emerged as the winner over three
>>>>>>>>> other candidates. It should be recalled that at that three days conference
>>>>>>>>> held in Kantora hotel in Banjul, when Halifa Sallah of PDOIS withdrew his
>>>>>>>>> candidature, all the other political parties were invited to invite 12 of
>>>>>>>>> their supporters across the country and they all obliged except UDP who
>>>>>>>>> complaint that they were the biggest political party and the organisers
>>>>>>>>> then told them to invite more, upto 15 but they did not think even that was
>>>>>>>>> good enough for them. Many observers believe that if Ousainou Darboe of UDP
>>>>>>>>> has subjected himself to that process, he would have been overwhelmingly
>>>>>>>>> been elected to lead the coalition.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> http://www.gambiadaily.co.uk/1-getting-started
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>>>>> Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2014 17:09:04 +0100
>>>>>>>>> From: [log in to unmask]
>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: STRATEGIC AND GERMANE ADVISE FROM M NYANG courtesy
>>>>>>>>> GAINAKO
>>>>>>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Well YJ, NADD was about a united front. Process, i.e., flag
>>>>>>>>> bearer, was the main difficulty. It is still an issue lurking in the
>>>>>>>>> background, but there is no question a NADD-type structure can do the work.
>>>>>>>>> A lot of people appear to have no faith in the electoral process but that
>>>>>>>>> may be a function of misunderstanding how a fully united front may respond
>>>>>>>>> to the challenges thrown up by a lawless electoral system. I have discussed
>>>>>>>>> my approach as far back as 2004-2005. Level of unity and commitment is the
>>>>>>>>> only issue, and I'm unsure about the preparedness of the party leaders to
>>>>>>>>> utilise all the available options in dealing with the current system.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> A simpler way of understanding Nyang's contention re the Diaspora
>>>>>>>>> is to ask what we can do to practically influence matters on the ground
>>>>>>>>> given our separation from the main theatre of operations. In other words,
>>>>>>>>> the Diaspora has a role but that role is not overall leadership. No one
>>>>>>>>> resident in the Diaspora can be an electoral flag bearer, and the same
>>>>>>>>> applies to even to leadership of a mass uprising. The geography of the
>>>>>>>>> transaction cannot allow that but there are elements in the Diaspora that
>>>>>>>>> appear not to understand that our proper function, as long as we are away
>>>>>>>>> form the ground, must remain a supporting role. In the ordinary run of
>>>>>>>>> events, Professor Jammeh's successor will not come from the Diaspora. How
>>>>>>>>> is this controversial?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> As earlier stated, even a citizen uprising cannot be led from the
>>>>>>>>> Diaspora. What is the obsession then with leading when none of the
>>>>>>>>> available routes to change can be implemented from the Diaspora? Annoying
>>>>>>>>> the Professor through immense humiliation in the Diaspora is not the same
>>>>>>>>> thing as deposing his government, and a Gambia without his government is
>>>>>>>>> what this fight is about
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Nyang's position is spot on and if we can have a truly united
>>>>>>>>> front of the *bona fide* opposition parties, we are more than 90%
>>>>>>>>> on the home stretch. I'm economical with words but I'm certain you got my
>>>>>>>>> drift. Home is where the action will always be!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> LJDarbo
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Wednesday, 27 August 2014, 15:03, Y Jallow <
>>>>>>>>> [log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> LJD -
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Thanks for sharing. This is a good submission from our resident,
>>>>>>>>> Nyang.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Nyang have some great points. It is true that the opposition home
>>>>>>>>> are an instrumental element in this equation even though I personally
>>>>>>>>> understand the frustration of the Diaspora forces.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> In his piece though, Nyang is suggesting that any unity effort be
>>>>>>>>> built from the previous miscarriage, NADD. The logic is a little scary.
>>>>>>>>> Well, NADD didn't work, or at least safely said that it was aborted by the
>>>>>>>>> many KEY players. That a reason to try a new model of unity. So I think the
>>>>>>>>> Diaspora weren't ignorant. It is combination of frustration, interest in a
>>>>>>>>> democratic process, and a wish to see some activities to counter the
>>>>>>>>> criminal regime. I will not rule out some mistakes or even over excitement,
>>>>>>>>> or better put as playing too much with democratic book teachings. It is all
>>>>>>>>> healthy even though some of the actions are simply a turnoff.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Must I say that, any route for another NADD will another waste of
>>>>>>>>> time, or at least repeating history, because Halifa, Waa Juwara, Lawyer
>>>>>>>>> Darboe, Hamat Bah, Barrister Fatty, OJ and Gomez didn't agree on things,
>>>>>>>>> and the G-N (6, 5, 4, 3, ...whatever that exact number is) didn't see
>>>>>>>>> fruition. If this cannot be worked out, I am seriously wondering how
>>>>>>>>> another effort in that direction will solve this problem.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On the new empowerment, the Diaspora forces are blessed with some
>>>>>>>>> key resources like the online radios, internet, freedom to speech/assembly
>>>>>>>>> which is very effective in exposing and countering dictatorship.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> To suggest that the only way is to rally through the opposition
>>>>>>>>> back home might not be accurate. I know many are opposed to the toppling of
>>>>>>>>> the criminal regime through the military or citizen uprising. Such a method
>>>>>>>>> of seeing democracy (eventually) shouldn't be ruled out even though it
>>>>>>>>> comes with some problems and I am not being inconsiderate at of the dangers
>>>>>>>>> associated with such an undertaking . I have a very strong feeling that it
>>>>>>>>> is just a matter of time here but the political temperature suggests that
>>>>>>>>> the inevitable will happen sooner than expected. I couldn't convince my
>>>>>>>>> mind otherwise. It is time to defend yourselves. It is time to do it in a
>>>>>>>>> way to liberate country. It is Jihad (struggle), and it one way to free
>>>>>>>>> your nation. Look up to the pioneers of democracy, therein lies the
>>>>>>>>> solution. In our own, elections to remove Jammeh and establishment of a
>>>>>>>>> healthy democracy is a long term agenda, and for the short time, Jammeh
>>>>>>>>> needs to be booted out by any necessary means.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On a note, great piece Nyang. I appreciate your substance,
>>>>>>>>> independence, and like LJD, I too celebrate your submissions.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Happy labor holiday in advance!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Warm regards,
>>>>>>>>> Yero.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> "There is no god but Allah; & Muhammad (SAW) is His messenger"
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Kind Regards,
>>>>>>>>> Yero.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:22:50 +0100
>>>>>>>>> From: [log in to unmask]
>>>>>>>>> Subject: STRATEGIC AND GERMANE ADVISE FROM M NYANG courtesy GAINAKO
>>>>>>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> or Political Change
>>>>>>>>> [image: download (3)]
>>>>>>>>> The Bends, the Curves, the Home-Straight, Keeping the Eyes on the
>>>>>>>>> Prize Towards a Strategic Home and Diaspora partnership for Political Change —
>>>>>>>>> August 26, 2014 0 Comments 12
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> translation servicesTranslate | French translationSpanish
>>>>>>>>> translationtranslate Germantranslate Chinese
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> *[image: Gambian Flag]Part 2 of 3*
>>>>>>>>> By Modou Nyang
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> In the contours of democratic political change in the Gambia the
>>>>>>>>> climax in the collaboration between home and diaspora forces is represented
>>>>>>>>> in the ushering of NADD into the country’s political lexicography. And now
>>>>>>>>> any subsequent partnership must aim at improving upon that milestone of
>>>>>>>>> political architecture if it is to help deliver the change that still
>>>>>>>>> eludes us in this past two decades.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> The Gambia is not at a political standstill and its narrative
>>>>>>>>> cannot be etched anew at the back of historical perspectives. What is to
>>>>>>>>> follow if it is to be durable must learn from the past in order to
>>>>>>>>> construct a tenable future. Recent efforts in the diaspora at organizing
>>>>>>>>> the multitude of voices into a unified force seems all but inflicted with
>>>>>>>>> ignorance if not the total disregard of past lessons.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Diaspora Gambians are becoming more engaged and interested in the
>>>>>>>>> political life of their country and that is a good thing. From the ire and
>>>>>>>>> disgust shown following the killings of the nine prisoners in 2012 and now
>>>>>>>>> to every policy utterance in Banjul that deviates from the accepted norms
>>>>>>>>> and dictates of the laws of the country, young men and women are paying
>>>>>>>>> attention and sharing their views. For the first time in Gambian history
>>>>>>>>> protest marches were organized from London to New York, Atlanta and
>>>>>>>>> Brussels, Seattle and Dakar to show displeasure in Jammeh’s unwarranted
>>>>>>>>> killing of the prisoners. And now because it seems the only potent tool at
>>>>>>>>> their disposal protests marches and demonstrations is now the rallying call
>>>>>>>>> for the activists.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> But protestations and manifestations especially in far flung lands
>>>>>>>>> away from the main theater might take too long if ever they will bear the
>>>>>>>>> desired effect of changing the status quo in Banjul. And herein lies the
>>>>>>>>> need to link the actions in the diaspora with those on the ground for
>>>>>>>>> maximal effect. The fact that people can confront president Jammeh in New
>>>>>>>>> York and hurl invectives at him without being reprimanded is a good enough
>>>>>>>>> reason not to ask the guy in the streets of Serekunda to do the same
>>>>>>>>> because he will not enjoy similar fate as his contemporary in New York.
>>>>>>>>> Preaching to the choir is never a savvy political device.
>>>>>>>>> What the young men and women in the Gambia have at their disposal
>>>>>>>>> is to organize around existing political instruments to manifest their
>>>>>>>>> displeasure at what is happening in their country. In the existing
>>>>>>>>> political infrastructure, opposition forces have at their base the youths
>>>>>>>>> representing a critical element with the capability to galvanizing their
>>>>>>>>> country folks into action and taking back their country and refocusing its
>>>>>>>>> course.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> But often in the diaspora activists dismiss as simpletons every
>>>>>>>>> talk about rallying the cause for change through legal democratic means.
>>>>>>>>> And the wonder in that is how come a protester in New York considers his
>>>>>>>>> actions more effectual than the one that organizes internally and close to
>>>>>>>>> home and to undoing the common problem.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Fact is, political change is brought about through the
>>>>>>>>> manifestations of the internal dynamics of a given society and such affects
>>>>>>>>> need to be worked on actively in order to attain the desired effect.
>>>>>>>>> Passivity is never a potent political tool and cannot be a wholesome
>>>>>>>>> substitute for active internal organization. What is required is the
>>>>>>>>> coupling of the two for optimal gain. This is why diaspora Gambians must
>>>>>>>>> build on their united efforts for protestations and move on to concretely
>>>>>>>>> charting strategies and activities with the ground forces.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Change can never be sustained at the back of the people. Hence the
>>>>>>>>> opposition forces must be encouraged and enabled in their work to organize
>>>>>>>>> the people. Only an organized people can withstand the most arduous of
>>>>>>>>> challenges thrown in their path to salvation. And this crucial work can
>>>>>>>>> only be implemented in today’s Gambia, by those on the ground working with
>>>>>>>>> the people. In the Gambia there exist no civil society body that is
>>>>>>>>> invested in the business of organizing the people around their civic rights
>>>>>>>>> and responsibilities.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Needless to say, the opposition parties are the only existing
>>>>>>>>> lifeline for democratic change in the Gambia and they most intensify their
>>>>>>>>> work in preparing and agitating the people for change. And for Gambians in
>>>>>>>>> the diaspora, even if only for a moment will pause the ecstatic frenzy for
>>>>>>>>> nothingness and direct their energy towards a holistic partnership with the
>>>>>>>>> ground forces, the current madness in Banjul will be confined to its right
>>>>>>>>> place: the dustbin of history.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> 1,035 total views, 1,035 views today
>>>>>>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To
>>>>>>>>> unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web
>>>>>>>>> interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To
>>>>>>>>> Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to:
>>>>>>>>> http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To
>>>>>>>>> contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
>>>>>>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>>>>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
>>>>>>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To
>>>>>>>>> unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web
>>>>>>>>> interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html
>>>>>>>>> To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to:
>>>>>>>>> http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To
>>>>>>>>> contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
>>>>>>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>>>>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To
>>>>>>>>> unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web
>>>>>>>>> interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To
>>>>>>>>> Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to:
>>>>>>>>> http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To
>>>>>>>>> contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
>>>>>>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>>>>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
>>>>>>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To
>>>>>>>>> unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web
>>>>>>>>> interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To
>>>>>>>>> Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to:
>>>>>>>>> http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To
>>>>>>>>> contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
>>>>>>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>>>>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To
>>>>>>>>> unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web
>>>>>>>>> interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To
>>>>>>>>> Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to:
>>>>>>>>> http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To
>>>>>>>>> contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
>>>>>>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>>>>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
>>>>>>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To
>>>>>>>>> unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web
>>>>>>>>> interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to:
>>>>>>>>> http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To
>>>>>>>>> contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
>>>>>>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>>>>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To
>>>>>> unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web
>>>>>> interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html
>>>>>>
>>>>>> To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to:
>>>>>> http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To
>>>>>> contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
>>>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> *"Be the change you want to see in the World"*
>>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To
>>>>> unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web
>>>>> interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html
>>>>>
>>>>> To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to:
>>>>> http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact
>>>>> the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
>>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
>>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To
>>>>> unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web
>>>>> interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html
>>>>>
>>>>> To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to:
>>>>> http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact
>>>>> the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
>>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To
>>>> unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web
>>>> interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html
>>>>
>>>> To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to:
>>>> http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact
>>>> the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
>>>>
>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To
>>>> unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web
>>>> interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html
>>>>
>>>> To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to:
>>>> http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact
>>>> the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
>>>>
>>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To
>> unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web
>> interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html
>>
>> To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to:
>> http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact
>> the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
>> [log in to unmask]
>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
>>
>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To
>> unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web
>> interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html
>>
>> To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to:
>> http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact
>> the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
>> [log in to unmask]
>> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
>>
>
>
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface
at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html
To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l
To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
[log in to unmask]
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
|
