While we congratulate the winners in the elections, we should also reflect
on the messages and lessons that can be drawn from these elections. Am sure
Halifa will come up with his piece as usual.

My question is or are as I always do; is what lessons can be drawn from
these elections where 10 independent candidates win their seats against the
operation and wishes of the APRC?

Does these elections show that Gambian electorates are in fact willing to
vote against the APRC?

Does it show that Gambian electorates are in fact willing to join a winning
candidate to boot out an incumbent?

How does the opposition explain to the international community that they
are not able to win but independent candidates who don't have any money can
win?

Does it show signs that the opposition is ineffective whether they
participate or not example the NRP?

Do anybody reasonably believe that with a stronger and winning opposition
the people will be willing and not afraid to vote for the opposition?

There are clear lessons to learn from this on both sides and it would be up
to the opposition and activisits to learn and figure out a way to move
forward or continue to go after each others throats while the lessons are
clear.

I patiently await the narration, analysis and spinning.

Thanks

Demba


On Fri, Apr 5, 2013 at 4:03 AM, suntou touray <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Yero
> A good take on the wider ramifications. I think the former APRC gentleman,
> Lai Bah should be congratulated, but the underlining fact is, he was until
> yesterday an APRC man. He is just expelled. We have to understand that, the
> Councillors and mayoral elections are a different kettle of fish to the one
> Jammeh has everything to lose about.
> Dictators invest all their energy and brutality, savagery on what matters
> to them, the Presidential. Whether it is Jammeh or Mugabe, Presidential
> elections is what they count on. The exit cost for Yaya Jammeh is huge.
> Hence, allowing a semblance of level playing is needed in minor elections
> that will hardly scratch the surface so long as his brutalities and
> oppressive behaviors are concern.
> However, the vibes in the Gambia is changing. I guess, people are more
> concern about food and basic needs than, what Jammeh is doing to his
> critics. The general situation is hard and stressful for many. The catalyst
> against Jammeh will come from, food, food, food. Not his arrest of Imam
> Baba Leigh and killings. This is the sad reality. The self-contain life
> style is too engrossed in our society. Thanks Sanusi for the alert.
> Suntou
>
> On Fri, Apr 5, 2013 at 8:52 AM, Yero Jallow <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>>  Folks,
>>
>> Congrats to the winner of the mayoral position in Banjul, no doubt. Let
>> us not forget that history repeats itself and the kind of
>> political atmosphere under Jammeh has been repeating itself. While I agree
>> with the masses that a peaceful change of power is possible, I bet to
>> differ seriously, because under the given conditions, a defeat of Jammeh
>> can only come if he dies, overthrown, or through an aggression that forces
>> him to leave. The mechanism for fair elections is not in place. Forget
>> about the so-called IEC. Not to mention of media coverage especially from
>> the only TV, Jammeh's own GRTS.
>>
>> I just want to give this disclosure that I do not know this winner and I
>> am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. If he is Independent, so
>> be him...
>>
>> Part of my worry stems from that of Banjul's former Independent Mayor, Pa
>> Sallah Jeng, a perfect gentleman who was really independent in his mind and
>> body. He fought tooth and nail with a system much more powerful than he was
>> able to fight back. He ran out of amory and had to leave for exile. I met
>> him couple of years ago in Atlanta where he delievred a very powerful
>> speech. He likened Jammeh to Adolf Hitler in their display of arrogance,
>> barbarism and neglect for human dignity.
>>
>>
>> Gambia's politics has proved to be more of a money-making venture (greed,
>> selfisness, opportunity) than a political venture (politics of body and
>> mind liberation) to rescue the masses. What we have seen most of the time
>> in these independents are people desparate to contest, who most of the time
>> couldn't get the APRC candidature due to the nature of the rotten political
>> system where favotism by association has hijacked decency.  Thus, this
>> automatically defaults them to an independent candidate. Soon afterwords,
>> you realized that they slowly creep towards where they belong. In pular we
>> say when you release a calf, it goes right back to the mother.
>>
>> As it stands, we need a decent citizen who enters politics not for his
>> pocket or name, but one that enters politics with a view to change the
>> rotten system of terror, corruption, fear, under development, and overal
>> try to give hope for citizens. Such a citizen will fight the sytem that has
>> taken hostage of Gambians.
>>
>> So what I am thinking is this: If the guy is independent and he is not
>> willing to dance to the Jammeh's tone, he certainly will be a victim just
>> like his other predecessor, Pa Sallah Jeng. If he is someone who was denied
>> the APRC ticket and that defaulted him to the independent candidate ticket,
>> we will soon see him leaning towards Jammeh.
>>
>> In conclusion, congrats to Mr. Bah and I look forward to his
>> contributions and hope that he will not betray the trust and confidence
>> reposed in him.
>>
>> Best regards,
>> Yero
>>
>>
>>
>>  ------------------------------
>> From: [log in to unmask]
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: RE: [>-<] THE BANJULIANS HAVE MADE US PROUD
>> Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2013 19:39:06 -0700
>>
>>
>> Very good news indeed for all who are sick and tired of the APRC regime.
>> Congratulations to the people of Banjul and to mayor-elect Abdoulie Bah.
>> May the Banjul example be emulated accross the country.
>>
>> Thanks for sharing Mr. Owens.
>>
>> Baba
>>
>>
>>  ------------------------------
>> Date: Fri, 5 Apr 2013 00:26:49 +0100
>> From: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: [>-<] THE BANJULIANS HAVE MADE US PROUD
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>
>>  I have just received the official Local Government Election Results for
>> the Banjul Mayoral Seat and they are as follows:
>>
>> SAMBA FAAL- APRC CANDIDATE: 3811 VOTES
>>
>> BASIROU NDOW: INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE: 552
>>
>> ABDOULIE BAH : INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE: 4980 VOTES
>>
>> ABDOULIE JAH: INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE:  390
>>
>> This is certainly good news to all those who yearn for a peaceful change
>> in the Gambia. Congrats to Mayor Elect Abdoulie Bah and hope you have a
>> successful tenure as Mayor of Banjul!!!!
>>
>>   ------------------------------
>> *From:* oko drammeh <[log in to unmask]>
>> *To:* "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
>> *Sent:* Thursday, 4 April 2013, 1:34
>> *Subject:* [>-<] Appreciation
>>
>>   I want to thank you all on behalf of my family The Drammeh Family for
>> sharing our grieve and have sympathized with us in the sad days of our
>> brother's death and funeral Mr. E. Drammeh (Ebou Drammeh). We appreciated
>> it very much
>> Everybody who sent a word of comfort and sympathy and condolence thank
>> you, Thank you so much.
>> May God bless you all. Thank you
>> Oko Drammeh
>>
>>
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>
>
>
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