Ebrima Ceesay:

Thank you for your insightful messages.  I have enjoyed reading them as
they are well thought out and argued. Keep up the good work.

Abdoulaye

Ebrima Ceesay wrote:
>
> My fellow Gambians,
>
> The days are relentlessly going by, and very soon, the presidential election
> time will be upon us in The Gambia. Time, they say, waits for no man;
> therefore, "tempus fugit" or time flies" should be our watchwords. The
> Presidential Election date, although it may seem far distant to us, is in
> fact just around the corner, and we have to be fully prepared for it.
>
> Let us not be caught ill-equipped or unawares. Instead let us use every
> single moment to get ourselves prepared for the electoral battle. Now is the
> time for action – for decisions – for the right choices.
>
> We are all agreed on one thing at least, and that is our determination to
> see Jammeh out of office. We all know Jammeh as a "criminal" and as a
> totally ineffective leader: we have had abundant evidence of his misuse of
> power and of his corruption. Consequently, if we are serious in our intent
> to oust this dreadful "leader", then we should be doing the necessary
> groundwork NOW in order to be successful in our aim.
>
> Some people are advocating a violent and premature end to this tyrannical
> regime: they call for Jammeh to meet the same type of violent overthrow and
> usurpation of power as he effected on the former regime. Whilst
> understanding people’s anxieties and the urgency of their need to get rid of
> Jammeh as quickly as possible, I still cannot acquiesce to these demands for
> another coup d’etat.
>
> The ballot box has to be our choice of preference: violence will only breed
> violence in the medium and long term. In the short term, a change of
> government based on a show of arms may achieve our desire to see the back of
> Jammeh and the APRC.
>
> However, it would create more problems than it would solve, and the danger
> would always be that violence would spawn further violence. We want no part
> of this scenario for our beloved Gambia. None of us want The Gambia to go
> down the route of countries like Liberia or Sierra Leone. The costs of an
> abortive (or successful) coup d’etat would be too great for our country to
> countenance or bear, and the danger would always be an escalation in the
> violence.
>
> Therefore, our only feasible and viable option (despite the scepticism of
> many) is the ballot box.  The elections are our weaponry in our battle to
> unseat Jammeh.
>
> Consequently, it is imperative that we take these forthcoming elections
> seriously. It is necessary that join hands and hearts in order to isolate
> the APRC regime under Jammeh. All our efforts have to be harnessed to
> ensuring free and fair elections, and we need to be working as a unilateral
> team to achieve this.
>
> As a people, we have a DUTY to be monitoring the whole electoral process
> with eyes wide open: if there is any fraud, any small transgression, any
> presidential or APRC interference then we need to shout these things out
> from the roof tops: we have to make sure that our voice is heard by every
> Gambian at home and abroad.
>
> And the good thing is that on the international scene, people are well aware
> of the ineptitude and misgovernance of Jammeh and his followers:  there is
> no doubt in people’s minds that Jammeh has done The Gambia a grave
> disservice over the last six years. He has resorted to illegalities and
> active repression, and he has brought our country into terrible disrepute on
> the world stage.
>
> No-one takes The Gambia seriously any more – we have the reputation of being
> a small country led by a small-minded but hugely egoistic imbecile. Jammeh’s
> extravagant manner of presenting himself to world leaders fools no-one:
> behind his back, people laugh at him and ridicule him for his profligacy.
>
> My fellow Gambians, with this background scenario, it is imperative that we
> Gambians mobilise ourselves and start to act NOW to get rid of this travesty
> of a president. We have to keep up the pressure on Jammeh and the APRC. We
> have to voice out our fears and doubts about him and them to the
> international community: we have to tell the truth about what is happening
> right now in The Gambia. Jammeh should not be allowed to get away scot-free
> with anything.
>
> As concerned Gambian citizens, we have two major roles to fulfil: the first
> is to spearhead the opposition to the current regime; the second is to
> prepare ourselves for the Presidential elections in particular. We have to
> be of one mind in order to rid ourselves of despot Jammeh, and we have to
> ensure that the mechanisms for a free and fair election are firmly in place.
>
> Tyrants like Yahya have every reason to hang on to power: it is their life’s
> blood and their nemesis. And as the incumbent president, Jammeh will try to
> play around with the electoral process; he will attempt to skew the
> procedures of lawful and free elections.
>
> This therefore makes it doubly vital that we, The Gambian People, monitor
> every stage of the electoral process: it is incumbent on us to ensure that
> Jammeh and the APRC do not have the upper hand without critical comment.
>
> We have to be watching these dreadful people every step of the way to true
> democracy. Let us place not one iota of belief in Jammeh’s rectitude and
> human decency. The man is power-hungry, and he will stop at nothing to
> continue his term of office.
>
> We have to become super-critical of what is happening in our nation: we have
> to be watchful of every last nuance and tactic of this despotic regime.
>
> Clearly, people have lost faith with Jammeh: all they need now is further
> enlightenment and coordination to exert their political will.  There is
> no-one on earth who could alter the will of the people, if the latter are
> organised, coordinated and informed.
>
> If we look at the example of Zambia under Kenneth Kaunda, then we see the
> history of a One Party State whose people had finally had enough: they
> called for, and got multiparty elections in 1991, and these led to a
> peaceful change of government which put Frederick Chiluba in power. Kaunda
> certainly did not want to relinquish power, but the collective voice of the
> people as expressed through the ballot box, saved the day for democracy.
>
> There are other examples on the African continent to give us heart in our
> powers as voters: not least Senegal, who gave the red card to a leader of
> thirty years standing, peacefully and successfully.
>
> Surely, our task is not going to be easy, but it is do-able. We therefore
> have to take our elections seriously; we have to monitor the process to
> ensure fairness and impartiality, and we have to take the long-term view for
> our country and its future generations.
>
> We, the people, can make a difference: all we need to do is get our act
> together and make a solemn declaration from the heart, that Jammeh must go.
> This will be our simple and powerful slogan: Jammeh MUST go.
>
> It is time for us all to harness the power which is ours by right:  we have
> to stop the talking and the moaning: we have to speak our voice openly,
> clearly and loudly and say "Jammeh MUST go". The man has disgraced our
> country and our people: he has brought our nation to ridicule.
>
> He has sent the wrong people at the wrong time to the wrong jobs, and we are
> paying the full costs of all this incompetence. We have to restore pride in
> our nation: both in our own citizenry and on the international forum.
>
> We do not want our country to be associated (as it is at present) with hard
> drug running, with arms dealing of the worst sort, with the illegal diamond
> trade, with prostitution and corrupt dealing: these are the end-results of
> six years of Yahya’s despotism. This is not how we want our nation to be
> perceived internationally or internally. Our intention is to build a Gambia
> whose bedrock is integrity, honesty, incorruptibility and sincerity.
>
> We have to be checking and re-checking that the forthcoming presidential
> elections are free and fair, and I now advocate several routes to ensuring a
> democratic and peaceful change of government and leadership.
>
> 1. Safeguarding the Electoral Process
>
> During the last elections of 1996, we learned many lessons, and we had
> direct experience of the under-hand practices of the military regime
> transferring from the AFPRC to the APRC mode. We watched as the Security
> Forces intervened in the process of the elections (especially the Army).
> Their agenda was to buttress Jammeh in his power base, and they used every
> tactic in the book (and out of it) to fulfil their agenda.
>
> They interfered in all stages of the electoral process, up to election day
> itself; they threatened the people to the extent that the democratic rights
> of people to vote freely and confidentially were put at severe risk.
> Following the voting, there were irregularities in the reporting of the
> votes cast. The whole of the election process took on a tone of
> underhandedness and shady dealing.
>
> We now HAVE to learn from this experience, and as an electorate, demand that
> this next tranche of elections takes place on a level playing field, with
> impartiality and confidence guaranteed, and with no interference from any
> source whatsoever.
>
> It is therefore vital that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) comes
> up with a published Code of Conduct so that no-one can be in doubt about the
> correct procedures. And our Opposition Parties in particular, have to be
> instrumental in ensuring that this Code of Conduct is known and respected by
> the whole electorate.
>
> Above all, the people alongside the IEC should be policing the electoral
> process: at any hint of transgression, irregularity or outright flouting of
> the law or this proposed Code of conduct, then there should be a call of
> alarm. We need to be calling FOUL whenever this call is justified.
>
> Any type of interference in the electoral process by individuals or groups
> should meet with the most stringent condemnation by the IEC and the people.
>
> Also, the IEC has to ensure that all political parties have equal access to
> TV and Radio transmission as part of the electioneering programme. There
> should be no favour offered to any one faction.
>
> Furthermore, during the last presidential elections, the deposit required
> from each individual wishing to contest the parliamentary elections was set
> at a very high level. We have to reduce the size of the required deposit,
> and bring it into line with our country’s economy. In fact, in my view, the
> issue of depositing money should not even be part and parcel of our
> elections.
>
> My fellow Gambians, the IEC is legally and constitutionally charged with the
> responsibility for the correct conduct of the elections. Consequently, any
> restrictions on campaigning rights should be reported immediately to the
> IEC. We have the right to expect that the IEC will monitor this area most
> stringently. If (God forbid) we get to the point where it is apparent that
> GROSS UNFAIRNESS is being perpetrated, then the IEC could declare that the
> election process is null and void and postpone the elections. In that case,
> we will all join hands and heart to further isolate Jammeh’s regime both at
> home and internationally.
>
> The good thing is that Yahya Jammeh is a true coward of the first order. His
> hot air tends to disguise the pressure under which he is operating at the
> moment. It is likely that if he is defeated at the elections, he may well
> seek to ignore the will of the people, but if we maintain our pressure on
> him, and keep steadfast and true to our aims, then Jammeh will go.
>
> Also, in a bid to safeguard the electoral process, it is vital that our
> Public Servants, (especially the Police and GRTS), put their country ahead
> of their own selfish needs, and before job security. If the IEC demands
> equal access to TV time for the opposing parties, then it should have the
> right to expect that our public servants (Tombong Saidy included) will
> comply with their (IEC’s) requirements. It is time for us all to demonstrate
> our love of country and our integrity: if our actions are called into
> question, then we should be prepared to follow what we know to be the right
> path.
>
> I hereby urge our people to monitor the election process at each stage:
>
> a. Ensure free and fair registration of voters  (for all qualified
> Gambians).
>
> b. Report any transgressions to the IEC: monitor any hint of fraudulent
> practices, and expect the IEC to undertake a full investigation.
>
> c. Ensure that the Opposition Parties have the same rights and privileges as
> the incumbent party.
>
> d. Ensure fair dealing from all public servants.
>
> e. Play an integral part in the election process.
>
> f. Ensure the incumbent party plays its part in ensuring free and fair
> elections.
>
> g. Ensure that the IEC is the body which sets the standards for action and
> conduct. On electoral issues, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) should
> not be involved except to ensure that law and order are properly maintained.
>
> 2. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
>
> The members of the IEC should fully understand that they have been empowered
> to organise and supervise the elections. They should therefore have nothing
> to fear as long as they are fair, transparent and responsible.
>
> The Gambian people will ensure that they offer full and necessary support to
> the IEC, for as long as they are certain that the organisation is
> INDEPENDENT AND FAIR.
>
> The IEC members have the duty to ensure that elections are conducted freely
> and fairly. We do understand the constraints under which this group
> operates, but we still urge them to expose any instances of arm-twisting or
> illegality.
>
> Let the IEC members remain aloof and impartial in their judgements: they
> have integrity and we should allow them to exercise this in full.
>
> Furthermore, let the IEC ensure that it has sufficient funding and specific
> resources to undertake their vital job, and in particular to ensure that
> they remain impartial and independent.
>
> The IEC HAS to start organising itself and its programme NOW. They have to
> be monitoring the registration of voters, and ensuring that there are
> sufficient voters cards, and that properly indelible ink is used.
>
> If the IEC feels that it needs more in terms of material and financial
> support, then it should straight away inform the International Community for
> assistance in this regard.
>
> 3. Role of the Opposition Parties
>
> All Parties will need to give full respect to the IEC and its Code of
> Conduct.
>
> The Police and Security Forces should be assisting in ensuring the
> maintenance of law and order throughout the nation, but they should not be
> operating any sort of power base.
>
> The Opposition Parties need to ensure that their messages to the electorate
> are clear and to the point. With Jammeh as an opponent, it will be far
> easier to win the hearts and minds of the people. The opposition would not
> even need to spell out each and all of the occasions upon which Jammeh has
> let us all down. Every body now knows what Jammeh and his despotic regime
> represent.
>
> Also, the Opposition parties should avoid the use of invective language: we
> need to avoid invective and abuse. These have been Jammeh’s hall marks, but
> they certainly do not need to be ours. Let us aim for moderated and
> considered language to undertake this campaign.
>
> The Opposition needs to be sure that they have the wherewithal to fight the
> fight to the finish with Jammeh. The will need money, but this money is not
> to be used to buy votes (as has happened all too often in the past).
> Instead, it is meant to ensure that they have necessary resources to
> undertake an effective Nation-wide campaign. Gambians, especially those of
> abroad, should not hesitate to give financial support to the opposition
> party of their choice if we wish to defeat Jammeh at the elections.
>
> 4. Coalition/Tactical Alliance
>
> Even though Jammeh is a doomed man, we should not be overly optimistic that
> we can unseat him, unless certain preconditions are met.
>
> I believe that a tactical alliance of all the Opposition Parties is an
> absolute must, and that we should not go into the first round of the
> elections without this tactical alliance in place.  It matters not at this
> point in time how powerful or popular the Opposition might find itself in
> terms of people’s votes cast. If we allow ourselves to be divided, then
> Jammeh will surely continue to rule.
>
> We absolutely HAVE to go into the first round of voting as a united front,
> setting aside our political differences for the sake of getting rid of
> Jammeh.
>
> For the sake of The Gambia and its people, I again urge our Opposition
> leaders to try and get together in consultation and come up with an election
> package acceptable to all for the time being. The time for political
> differences lies in the longer term future: certainly it is not appropriate
> now, in my view.
>
> Our catchword has to be UNITY if we are going to be sure of defeating
> Jammeh.
>
> It is crucial that our Opposition leaders remain flexible, and open to
> suggestion.  I urge them to be realistic as well as idealistic.
>
> The catchphrase is "JAMMEH MUST GO!"
>
> Ebrima Ceesay
> Birmingham, UK.
>
> _________________________________________________________________________
> Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.
>
> Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at
> http://profiles.msn.com.
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L
> Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html
> You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask]
> if you have problems accessing the web interface
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L
Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html
You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask]
if you have problems accessing the web interface
----------------------------------------------------------------------------