Jammeh receives URD campaign committee, religious leaders

Almost three weeks after the Presidential election, more Gambians continue
to storm Kanilai to congratulate president-elect, Yahya Jammeh on his
resounding victory. The latest was Upper River Divisional Campaign committee
and religious leaders.

In his introductory remark, the head of the URD delegation, commissioner,
Daba Marena, said though URD failed to live up to expectation, they could
not fail to congratulate President Jammeh. "We have identified the problem
and it would soon be addressed before the National Assembly election," he
promised. Also speaking, Seyfo Kanda Kasseh Juwara, said the APRC's failure
to win there was regrettable and would not be repeated. "Come the National
Assembly elections, APRC will emerge victorious in URD". Alhajie Saihou
Samura also attributed URD’s poor performance to opposition deceit and
propaganda by telling people in the division that they had taken over the
Kombos from the APRC . Similar sentiments on the failure to capture URD were
expressed by Alhaji Banta Camara, Kebba Suso, Aja Tenneng Touray and Banta
Dibba, who all promised to manifest their support for the APRC in the
National Assembly elections.

Speaking earlier, the SoS for tourism and culture, Yankuba Touray, told the
URD delegation that President Jammeh was neither angry with them nor did he
consider them as opposition. "Your fate will be determined in the National
Assembly elections," he told them. SoS Touray outlined the numerous
development projects President Jammeh had undertaken for the people of URD,
among them, schools, good drinking water and roads.

Speaking during the occasion, president-elect, Yahya Jammeh said URD results
were a real disappointment which was never expected. "I thought if the whole
Gambia had defected to the opposition, URD was going to support us," he
said. He noted that he could not believe how such personalities like Mbemba
Tambedou, Mr Cham, Omar Sey and other PPP ‘old guard’ could have "deceived
you". They were here for 32 years and did not deliver anything for URD, the
president-elect charged.

President-elect, Yahya Jammeh said URD was a forgotten division and only the
advent of the APRC in 1994 brought development to the area.

Among the delegation were youths, chiefs, and alkalos. The ceremony was
chaired by Alhaji Buba Michael Baldeh. Religious leaders also called on
president-elect, Yahya Jammeh to congratulate him.

Speaking at the occasion, the president of the Supreme Islamic Council,
Banding Drammeh, said the outcome of the Presidential election was God’s
answer to "our prayers for a victory that will guarantee the peace and
stability of The Gambia".

Also speaking, Baba Trawally, Amir of the Ahmaddiya Muslim Jamaat, said in
any competition, there was a winner and it was people’s responsibility to
promote peace and stability for which The Gambia was known. Rev Titus Pratt,
general superintendent of the Methodist Church, asserted that the church had
followed with great interest, the development efforts of the Jammeh
administration since its advent to power in 1994. "The church hopes and
prays that more greater results would be achieved in the next five years,"
he said.Other speakers included Fr Gabriel of the Roman Catholic Church

. In his response, president -elect, Yahya Jammeh expressed appreciation for
their effort and urged them to continue praying for the nation. He however
cautioned them on the need to inculcate good moral values in the young,
adding that certain imported ideas do not conform to our norms and values.

The president told the religious leaders that before any new religion is
registered, it has to be recognised by the Supreme Islamic Council or The
Gambia Christian Council. "They have to look into their affairs, if they are
satisfied that it is a genuine Islamic or Christian group, they can allow it
to operate. A lot of people hide behind religion to make money," he said.

He assured the religious leaders of his firm determination to give them all
the support in strengthening religious faith. President Jammeh finally
appealed to them to be tolerant to each other and continue to ensure a
peaceful co-existence. "For religion, it cannot be imposed on anybody but
acquired only through persuasion and reasoning," he said. Present at both
courtesy calls, were SoS Babucarr Blaise Jagne, permanent secretary, office
of the president, Mamburay Njie and Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay, director of
Press and public relations at the State house. The delegation comprised
members of the Supreme Islamic Council, the Gambia Christian Council,
Ahmaddiya Muslim Jamaat and the Bahai faith.





_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>

To view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface
at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html
To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
[log in to unmask]

<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>