STGDP PRESS RELAESE

Fellow Gambians, Friends, Sisters and Brothers

Save The Gambia Democracy Project (STGDP), like all Gambians and friends of The Gambia is disappointed, frustrated, and hardened by the current situation in which the NADD Coalition finds itself. Hopes are dashed, minds are shattered and confusion abound but we are nonetheless, well poised to continue focusing on and pursuing the astute hopes and aspirations that every Gambian would like to see happen; the opportunities to bring about the much needed changes in Gambia’s political landscape come October 2006. 

In retrospect, when we engaged the coalition partners almost three years ago, STGDP recognized and expected the difficulty ahead. We did not have any illusion that this march to freedom and dignity for all will come without the kind of turbulence we are currently witnessing, but also understood that this was a ride worth taking if we are to achieve our noble goals within the twenty-first century. 

Undoubtedly, STGDP and the coalition partners have taken this journey, accepting the difficulty ahead but willing to take the risk to build hope in the lives of all Gambians and beyond. The coalition partners have had their differences, both personal and sometimes ideological; differences in approach, but the commonality among all of them was the naked truth that this may be the only realistic option to bring about peaceful and effective change in the country’s political, social and economic landscape. 

It is without a doubt that all the parties involved, over the years, have worked hard, invested their time, energy, and resources for the sake of their belief in a democratic Gambia. STGDP has gotten to know each and everyone of these leaders, and they are all honorable ladies and gentlemen who have demonstrated a commitment to bring about a peaceful and democratic change in our mother land.

STGDP endorses the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD), will continue to support NADD, the NADD Memorandum of Understanding and the spirit of the NADD MOU. 

Although, it is with deep regrets that Mr. Ousainou Darboe had to make the difficult decision of resigning from NADD, his decision was not finalized without great effort from many fronts to thwart it. In the last days before he made the pronouncements, STGDP faxed him a letter and followed up with a conference call that lasted over an hour. We unreservedly pleaded with Mr. Darboe to re-consider his position and give the people of Gambia the opportunity to work through the difficulties at hand. We however accept, with a bruised heart, the reality of Mr. Darboe’s resignation from NADD have since resolved to respect his decision. 

Meanwhile, STGDP will continue to pursue all creative and realistic options that will give us the opportunity to crush the tyranny and bring about the democracy, respect for the dignity and human rights of every Gambian. STGDP is committed and will continue to pursue every opportunity to make the 2006 Presidential elections a two-way race between NADD and the A(F)PRC. We will only accept a fractured coalition to face the A(F)PRC come October 2006 after exhausting all possible avenues to squash the possibility of a fractured opposition, and are thus appealing to all Gambians to join our effort  in making a united opposition a reality.
 
STGDP is still hoping that this document - the NADD MOU will become the thesis of a new Gambian constitution come October 2006. A document that will bring about: term limits, building of the institutions of democracy, an end to self perpetuating presidency, and an independent judiciary that will guarantee freedom and liberty for all Gambians. 

Finally, we would like to thank all of you, Gambians and friend of the Gambia living in the Diaspora for your continuous support. In the coming months, we will come to you for your financial and moral support to fulfill our aims and objectives re-iterated here. We want to assure everyone that hope is not all lost, and we will continue to fight to make a meaningful contribution to bring about the new Gambia. 

Together, we will succeed.

Save The Gambia Democracy Project

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