BambaLaye,

Thanks for speaking for me. I'm too busy right now to put together a lengthy
response but yours just did it for me.

Another significant point that many seem to be missing is that not all
parties are involved in 'a power struggle' if any. The noble gestures of
some (I don't even need to name names as their track record bear them
witness!) have reached us through one channel or another.

One quantity that is seldom mentioned and whom I personally, without any
ounce of doubt believe can bear the flag and steer a NADD victory safely
into port whiles respecting the spirit of the MOU is Sidia.

To me, Sidia Jatta (and his allies) has demonstrated a degree of dedication
and selflessness so alien to our dysfunctional political culture that it is
a reason for suspicion by political reactionaries and self-righteous
political misfits seeking every opportunity deep their fangs and empty their
accumulated venom into those who have demonstrated a staid political and
progressive stance though decades.

From day one when the MOU was signed I had no one in mind for the job other
than Sidia. Where in Gambia can you find a better man?

The other day when Modou Camara rhetorically asked "Who should lead NADD" I
saw an opportunity to profile Sidia and why he is tailor-made for the job. I
made a tedious search, opening old boxes with documents in my basement, for
the copy of Sidia's resignation letter to the Jawara regime in 1987(?) which
I know I have a copy of somewhere. Exhausted and disappointed at not finding
the copy of the letter which I had BTW planned to re-type and attach, I
succumbed to the urge to answer to other calls of importance as, at best it
would just have been another addition to another 'intellectual' (I hate the
word) exchange.

Like you I would rather have someone in NADD, whoever, than some who has
never seen the need to stand up (and be counted however symbolically)
against injustice all their life, their only qualification being having
excelled academically or in some unrelated field. I'd rather trust the word
and promise of deed of the 'intellectual' that has put at least an hour of
his time or dollar from his pocket. The lessons from junta that usurped
power in '94 does not seem to have been learned. Apparently some dozed off
in class. Was Jammeh not supposed to have been chosen as a figure-head (by
brokers wielding real power and who planned an executed the putsch) to
oversee a two-year transition government?

What guarantees are there that an 'outsider' won't dig in like the Dix of
Kanilai after winning as NADD flag bearer?

Regards,

Kabir.



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Radio Free Gambia" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2006 00:09
Subject: Re: NADD or the Birth Throes of a Political Alliance


All:

So many thought provoking points have been raised by esteemed brothers and
sisters on this thread so much so that it is hard to resist the temptation
to crash in the midst despite my hectic schedule today.
With that said, I just wanted to appeal to all to be a tad bit patient
with the NADD leadership at a time they deserve every bit of our support
to come to the best feasible conclusion to this matter of selecting a flag
bearer. I agree with many of the points raised here - especially the
notion of having a "neutral" personality as a NADD Flag Bearer - but I
also think it is the wrong time to question their sincerity without
acknowledging their sacrifices, both individually and otherwise. I know
this is a point of contention but please bear with me.
While it is common concern that a "neutral" personality from without the
NADD executive would be an ideal darling for a Flag Bearer, it is equally
a cause for concern that this "neutral" personality could very decide to
do exactly what some of us are hastily accusing of (or pre-empting
accusations of) some of the NADD Executives - that is the total
dismantling of the fabrications of the Alliance, hence the MOU for the
sake of self perpetuance. What makes us so sure that the NADD executive
can guarantee every single Gambian (or the majority) that whoever they
decide to choose from without themselves will follow the letter of the
MOU.
My point is, if not already clear, there is no guarantee any which way you
want to look at it. Therefore, I would settle with someone I've been
toiling with all these years to put together what we call NADD today! I
will trust those who've put their indelible mark on the MOU.
Let's put ourselves in their shoes folks and accord them a tad bit of
patience. If they come out with someone they can trust to deliver the
goods, be it within or from the outside, we should trust (as we have done
all these years) and rally behind them 100% knowing that it is the only
sensible and peaceful way to get rid of stench in Kanilai.

Let us have confidence in their judgment for now folks. Not too much to
ask for.

We must also remember that NADD has already been accepted by the masses
without a Flag Bearer. Whatever you take from that fact....ponder with
patience please.

Thank you.

-BambaLaye

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