I wish to associate myself with you Demba and Suntou and Bailo in these
sentiments expressed here below.
Haruna. Without reservation.
In a message dated 4/23/2010 12:59:11 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
Suntou,
"The conversation is a two way issue, if we can criticise them, we too
should expect their opinions as against what we have been saying".
We don't normally see eye to eye politically, but you are on the money on
this one. Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Do on to
others as you would want others to do onto you.
The editorial is reactionary but also touches on very pertinent and
sensitive subjects that we normally are not comfortable discussing. The
responsibilities for Gambia's political failures are broad and many are responsible
for it. It is easier to point fingers than take responsibility for one's
own part.
Gambian Diaspora are part of the problem and we will not admit it here. We
fail to organize and expect others to do the same. What a disappointment?
Many of us just want the liberty to sit on the fence, be able to visit
families in the Gambia without trouble and expect a miraculous change. We can't
eat our cake and have it at the same time.
We need to reflect on what role we are playing as we are one of the most
privillege elites Gambia has ever produced... Time to swallow our pride and
get involved...
Thanks for your thoughts Suntou...
Demba
On Thu, Apr 22, 2010 at 2:23 AM, suntou touray <[log in to unmask]
(mailto:[log in to unmask]) > wrote:
An interesting editorial. The hope is that, foroyaa will continue this
discourse. The editorial is very clear as to its targets. Lets hope the editor
of foroyaa elaborate further, since the party has firm sympathisers in
diaspora who will never abandon the party no matter what. Hence the editor's
blanket rampage is unfortunate. However, we too in the diaspora should
listen up to the criticism of those on the ground.
The conversation is a two way issue, if we can criticise them, we too
should expect their opinions as against what we have been saying. A melting
pot, it seems.
Suntou
On Thu, Apr 22, 2010 at 7:48 AM, Joe Sambou <[log in to unmask]
(mailto:[log in to unmask]) > wrote:
Lamin, I am scratching my head and more surprised that this editorial is
from Foroyaa.
"What is missing in the Diaspora, are objective patriots who are willing
to direct their energies and resources to strengthen parties of their choice
or help to set up one. Opposition bashing will not lead us anywhere other
than the road to political apathy. Only those who do not want a better
Gambia would engage in such a trivial affair."
If I did not know this came from Foroyaa, I would have jumped on Yaya as
the author. Objective patriots, eh! Those who do not want a better Gambia,
eh! Political apathy is alraedy in the Gambia and you cannot accuse
diasporans for that. Remember, we are not on the ground, you are.
"We therefore recommend that those who do not select to support a
political party or form one if they are dissatisfied with all have no right to
criticize those who are making effort to make sure that the Nation is govern
according to the will of the people or offer themselves as alternatives."
Do citizens have rights to participate in the affairs of their country?
If that is so, why does the author believe that folks should only criticize
if they are willing to join or form a party? If the party leaders where
minding their business selling mangoes we would not be talking about them as
I write. Thus, you do not stand to be counted and then when you are taken
to task, you resort to telling folks to form their own. No, you stood up
to lead, thus you shall be told when we have something to say.
Can the author tell us how they are making sure the Nation is govern
according to the will of the people? The last I checked, Femi Peters is still
in jail, just like countless others, so, where is the ensuring? The party
leaders themselves cannot protect themselves from Yaya, thus, who are we
kidding? Since when is suggesting for one to protecting themselves against
tyranny a crime?
I hope the expectation from the author is not for a subservient
relationship between the opposition leaders and diasporans supporting the opposition.
We will listen when you speak, but the same is required of you when we
speak. Anything short of that would be unacceptable.
Joe
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 23:51:03 +0000
From: [log in to unmask] (mailto:[log in to unmask])
Subject: Re: Foroyaa Editorial: The Gambian Opposition-The Punching Bag of
The Gambian Diaspora
To: [log in to unmask] (mailto:[log in to unmask])
An incredible editorial!
--- On Wed, 21/4/10, Modou Nyang <[log in to unmask]
(mailto:[log in to unmask]) > wrote:
From: Modou Nyang <[log in to unmask]
(mailto:[log in to unmask]) >
Subject: Foroyaa Editorial: The Gambian Opposition-The Punching Bag of The
Gambian Diaspora
To: [log in to unmask] (mailto:[log in to unmask])
Date: Wednesday, 21 April, 2010, 11:40
The Gambian Opposition-The Punching Bag of The Gambian Diaspora
The Leaders of the APRC must wear a smile every day as they read many on
line and local papers on the state of the opposition in the Gambia. Some
claim that they are toothless bulldogs. Others claim that they are preparing
for failure in 2011. Some argue that the opposition is not worth following
until they engage the Government.
Foroyaa therefore consider it in the public interest to do a review of the
situation of the opposition in the Gambia.
First and foremost, we have realized that a political party is as powerful
as its number of members and supporters or its capacity to control state
power. Our evaluation of nominations of Presidential Candidates reveals that
none of the political parties ever had up to 20000 persons endorsing
their nomination papers. This simply means that no political party in the
Gambia has up to 20000 members. In fact, discussion with some informed executive
members of parties confirm that many members of parties expect something
from the leaders instead of paying membership fees. Hence, many political
parties depend on patrons instead of membership dues to sustain their
activities. Many of those in the Diaspora who make contribution see it as helping
individuals in parties to achieve position of National leadership instead
of fulfilling a National duty. Many opposition parties are therefore
unable to build a base among the people. Foroyaa would like to come to the
defence of such parties by emphasizing with all the emphasis it can command
that those who criticize such parties but are unwilling to contribute a dime
to their well being are sheer hypocrites. They have transformed the
opposition parties into punching bags as a means of covering up their own political
impotency and apathy. We therefore recommend that those who do not select
to support a political party or form one if they are dissatisfied with all
have no right to criticize those who are making effort to make sure that
the Nation is govern according to the will of the people or offer themselves
as alternatives. Those who are not making any effort to be on the ground
to defend the interest of the people but are just criticising citizens who
have the same obligation as they do are responsible for the current
predicament of the Gambia. They are in fact the problem of the Gambia. They
frustrate the little or big efforts others are making and thus sow the seed of
political apathy.
Political parties may have few members but could have many supporters. In
short, more people turn out to vote for a candidate than the number of the
members of his or her party. Foroyaa does not have to quote the results of
elections since the 2006 Presidential elections to confirm that political
apathy is not only affecting the opposition but also the APRC. Hence, many
people are not coming out to vote for the parties. The challenge is for
existing parties to develop new ways to win the hearts and minds of the
people or new parties which could do so to emerge. The task of Gambians who are
not helping political parties to find new ways or create parties to replace
them is to appreciate the efforts of those who are at least putting their
energies and monies where their hearts are.
This is no time for opposition bashing. These are times to find solutions
to shortcomings.
Governments are not only engaged by political parties. They are engaged by
the whole citizenry who are all stake holders. How many Gambians in the
Diaspora attend programmes organised by political parties? Very few. However,
they turn up by the hundreds to attend social programmes. It is best to
use such social programmes to get them to discuss the future of their
country.
There is no doubt that the Government is being engaged at all corners. Any
body who reads Foroyaa daily cannot fail to see that the Government is
being engaged in all areas. Detentions without trial are being exposed, Seccos
(ground nut buying centres) were monitored during the trade season which
yielded positive results by engaging the marketing agencies, rural
infrastructure and services are being monitored, the economy is being analysed and
all civil, social, economic, political and cultural factors impeding
development are being exposed and combated. What is missing in the Diaspora, are
objective patriots who are willing to direct their energies and resources
to strengthen parties of their choice or help to set up one. Opposition
bashing will not lead us anywhere other than the road to political apathy.
Only those who do not want a better Gambia would engage in such a trivial
affair.
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