Folks, these statements from Darbo are laughable and an assault to our 
collective intelligence.  What's new?  Is this not the same fellow that was 
a constant in the 2001 collusion and flagbearer brawl?  He wanted the same, 
in 2006.  What Darbo wanted from Gambians, Gambians will never give him or 
anyone for that matter.  It is a new day in Gambia folks.  Two issues stand 
out to make matters simple.  One is the flagbearership, and the other, the 
spirit of the MOU.  Now, we all know that Darbo was willing to loose a limb 
for the flagbearership, that was a low hanging fruit that even the blind 
could bump into.  Darbo also did not want a level playing field during the 
interim period and there after.  Meaning, he will usurp power and there was 
not going to be a level playing field and he would do just like Yaya.  If he 
is willing to do that you can forget about writing the constitution.  He 
will do just like Yaya, rig the darn thing to suite his ego, using his 
henchfolk.  On top of that, the Military will be under his command.  So, you 
see my drift?  In the end, we will find ourselves fighting a fresh battle 
again, under the banner "cry freedom".

I know there are folks who find this hard to believe, but a few simple 
questions will take care of your doubts.  If Darbo does not want to stay 
until we wrestle him down, why would he have an ulcer with the spirit of the 
MOU?  Why would any sane person not see the need and wisdom of a level 
playing field after 40 years of degradation and an uneven playing field?  
Why would Darbo have a problem with a term limit?

The answer to all the above questions, is greed and belief that he (Darbo) 
is born to rule Gambia.  Most of you have read his interview with the 
Independent a few weeks ago, where he tried to plant in the minds of the 
unsuspecting, that he is coming from royalty and leadership is there's, yada 
yada.  That was a glimpse to the mindset that led to this pullout.

It is bad enough that the UDP pulled this stunt on Gambians, it will be 
worst for them to attempt to feed on a tribal diet in their attempts to 
achieve their domination of The Gambian political landscape.  Let me briefly 
visit the feeble cry of "We are the dominant opposition party" in the 
Gambia, by the UDP.  What is the real underlying insinuation there?  It is a 
fact that the overwhelming majority of the UDP support is Mandingo, so, how 
can one distance oneself, from the tribal label, when one talks about that 
so called dominance?  Thus, I am cautioning our Mandingo brothers and 
sisters, to not be allowed to be used in this fashion, for Gambia is very 
small for that.  Let us put our allegiance to the national interest.  Do not 
allow shallow interests to make you loose sight of whence we came from, 
behind NADD.  Now more so than ever, you need to support NADD financially to 
bring about the democracy and rule of law you yearned for.  You supported 
NADD, not because UDP was with NADD, but because that was and is our only 
hope of getting rid of our murderer.  I am proud to be fighting side by side 
with Mandingoes, Wolofs, Jolas, Serers, Fulas, Sarahules, Njagos, Muslim, 
Christian, African doctrine, etc., and that is what we know as Gambians.  
Thus, I abhor the use of tribal anything as we relate as a people.  A 
warning to the wise is very sufficient.  NADD will prevail in our quest to 
bring about a better Gambia and they need our continued support.  You built 
NADD, thus, let no individual or parochial interest parts you from that 
effort.  One viable opposition - NADD.

Chi Jaama

Joe

Please read Darbo below.



Political Brawl - Darboe Spills The Beans

By Pa Modou Secka

In what was seen as the biggest political fracas in the opposition circles 
in The Gambia became apparent last Wednesday when the leader of the United 
Democratic Party spilled the beans that he has resigned from the National 
Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD).


The news has confirmed the reported shackles within an alliance that was 
established purposely to unseat President Yahya Jammeh in the October polls.

At a news conference, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe told journalists at his party’s 
bureau in Banjul that he had already sent his resignation letter to the 
Independent Electoral Commission. Since inception of the alliance, UDP 
leader said he has never trusted its members. He added that they agreed to 
register NADD as an alliance but not a political party.


Although Mr. Darboe was delighted about the signing of Memorandum of 
Understanding, he said it is rather unfortunate that it seems to be 
conflicting, as there were some difficulties within the alliance.


For any alliance to achieve its set goals, Darboe added, "There must be 
trust among members and mutual respect." He said he was absent in the last 
two meetings of the alliance but the statements that were uttered there were 
contrary to what had been happening. Mr, Darboe said he has therefore 
thought it fitting to resign as an official of NADD.


The leader of the country’s biggest opposition party disclosed that his 
party is working with National Reconciliation Party, as evidenced by the 
presence of the latter’s Publicity Secretary at the UDP news conference.


Darboe said he has enormous respect for some NADD members, in particular 
Sedia Jatta. "But for NADD, I am out because we all have the same vision but 
with different methods of achieving it," Darboe stated, adding that nobody 
was elected by NADD. Mr. Darboe doubted why NADD fizzle over the selection 
of a national candidate when its members claim to advocate for healthy 
democracy.

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