Supporters Disagree With Leader



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The Independent (Banjul)

November 30, 2001
Posted to the web November 30, 2001

Seedy Bojang
Banjul, the Gambia

Supporters of veteran politician Sheriff Dibba say they beg to differ over
his declared plans to consider coalescing with other political parties
including the ruling APRC.

Mr. Dibba the leader of the National Convention Party, emerged from a
meeting with President Jammeh at State House last Friday with what some of
his supporters called a change of heart over his political responsibilities.

Omar Jatta of Brufut said Dibba's decision to consider coalescing with the
APRC is tantamount to what he called slaughtering the spirit of the party,
and paving the way to consolidate the exploitation of limited resources by
Jammeh's government which he still sees as a military outfit. He implied
that it would be criminal for Mr. Dibba to join forces with a regime whose
leading officials had come to squander The Gambia's meagre resources. Dibba
he said would demonstrate prudence if he considers forging an alliance with
other opposition parties, instead of helping to perpetuate the APRC.

Kebba Kanyi, a Serrekunda market vendor also believes that Dibba should be
more interested in forging an alliance with existing opposition parties than
considering to forge links with the APRC which he accused of disastrous
leadership. He also argued that a political veteran as significant to
Gambian politics as Mr. Dibba should demonstrates good example of fortitude,
and bravery to as he put it translate his vision into reality. He said
anything short of this from Mr. Dibba is cowardice and a betrayal of the
common interest of those who support his party.

A civil servant who wished to remain anonymous said Dibba's change of policy
towards the ruling party is amply indicative of him accepting to be induced
by APRC with a view to crippling the opposition.

He placed the blame for the opposition's defeat squarely at Dibba's feet,
saying the veteran politician was contradictory in terms by lambasting its
leaders. He believes it would have been more prudent of Dibba to consider
joining forces with the opposition to "drive Jammeh from power".

Another civil servant who also requested anonymity bitterly complained
against Dibba's latest overtures to President Jammeh saying they expose the
selfish intentions of a veteran politician who has betrayed his faithfuls.
According to the constitution Sheriff Mustapha Dibba through over-age would
not qualify to stand in the next presidential election.

Mr. Dibba is on record as a onetime critic of President Jammeh, whose
leadership style he had described as militaristic, irresponsible and cruel.
Some of Dibba's staunch supporters said their leader must be suffering from
megalomania after he conceded defeat to the APRC government, which had been
responsible for putting The Gambia in misfortunes and ruin.

They said Dibba's uncompromising stance for what they called national
liberation, is most needed "at this critical stage when the human rights
record of the country is going from bad to worse, and Gambians continue to
suffer, because of their political orientation or affiliation".





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