Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
  Issue No.11/2006, 13-15 February, 2006
   
  Editorial
   
  THE GAMBIA AT A CROSS ROAD
  Few days from now, Gambia will be celebrating 41years since independence was declared. On 24th April 2006 Gambia will also acknowledge 36 years of Republican existence. It is unprecedented that as all political forces seek to put the mark on the shaping of its destiny the political allegiances are changing by day and by night. The certainty in the old system can no longer be guaranteed and the arising and coming of a new system cannot be fully assured.
  Gambia is in a state of flux, it is at this moment of uncertainty that the country needs collective leadership. It is that spirit of collective leadership that Obasanjo’s intervention sought to create.
  As Gambia searches for a way forward, the spirit of collective leadership of the nation despite diversity of political aspirations should remain. That can only be if the governing party as well as the old and new alliances respect the fundamental principles enshrined in the Memorandum of Understanding between the ruling party, NADD and the other opposition parties. They should conduct their politics with dignity and integrity as befits the leaders of a dignified and respectful people. What is left of the NADD should not follow the trend of the UDP/NRP alliance. They should not engage the new alliance which has its right to be. They should engage the Gambian people to prove whether they are worthy of winning their confidence and trust.
  All political figures must realise that leadership cannot be imposed in a democratic society. It is contested for and earned. The level of consciousness of the people and their needs and aspirations will determine who can earn their love, trust and confidence. The battle for the hearts and minds of the people has begun.
  Gambia is fortunate that before this battle starts, guards and fences have been erected to confine political parties to the politics of genuine national issues characterized by integrity and decency.
  If all forces adhere to this integrity and decency, the people will select a political leadership based on their enlightened consent that will be duty bound to address the aspirations of the people for liberty, dignity and prosperity. We hope the Gambian political forces with divergent views will not spend time talking about their differences; rather they should spend time telling the people what differences they can make to shape the destiny of the country. This is a more constructive approach. 
   
  Dardoe And Bah Addressed Supporters
  By Abdoulie G. Dibba   and Fabakary Ceesay
  Thousands of people gathered at the Brikama Praying Ground on Saturday to listen to the leaders of the newly formed alliance consisting of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the National Reconciliation Party (NRP).
  When the meeting started, Ousainou Darboe told the audience that he responded to Assan Musa Camara’s call for a united front against the APRC. He said Assan Musa wanted to pave way for the removal of the APRC and replace it with a government that would ensure democracy and respect for the rule of law. He said this is what led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on 17th January 2005.
  According to Darboe, the MOU did not indicate that the opposition parties are to form a single party and dissolve their respective parties. He continued to say that after realizing that that was the situation, coupled with the mistrust amongst the members of the executive of NADD, he decided to resign from NADD. “I am not saying that UDP has pulled out of NADD but that I Ousainou Darboe has resigned from NADD and come to UDP
  On his part Hamat NK Bah informed the audience that his candidate for the presidential election is Lawyer Ousainou Darboe. He said that politics is about numbers and that if one talks of coalition; one must add parties with smaller numbers to those with larger numbers. Hamat went further to say that the largest parties in the country are the APRC, UDP and NRP. If we want to form a coalition based on a sound footing, we must add our parties to the UDP which is the biggest opposition political party.
  Hamat said for the past two years he has been observing Darboe very closely and that he is sure that they will be able to work together. “I have been working with Darboe and I have seen in him qualities of a leader,” he said. He indicated that their alliance will be an alliance with a difference. 
  Hamat further indicated that the UDP is the biggest opposition party in the country therefore they should lead any coalition to remove Jammeh from power. He also advised their supporters to desist from uttering any tribal sentiment. 
  Hamat who claimed to be a member of NADD, asserted that he will be supporting Ousainou Darboe’s candidature under a UDP/NRP alliance.
  Also speaking at the rally, Dembo Bojang said the lack of cooperation within the executive of NADD during the campaign for the by-election led to Hamat Bah’s defeat in Upper Saloum 
  Moreover, before the rally took off , many People could be heard arguing that the rally is that of the postponed NADD rally in Brikama whilst others argued that the party colors on display at the rally were that of the UDP and NRP.
  When this reporter visited the home of Lamin Waa Juwara, a NADD executive member, a lot of people where found there seeking clarification as to whether the rally is organised by NADD or not. Juwara told the people that the meeting was organised by Ousainou Darboe and not NADD, leading to many of them leaving disappointed whilst others decided to attend the rally and find out what the organizers had to say.
   
  Interview With Halifa Sallah On 
  NADD And The Reported Split
  FOROYAA: People are trying to understand what is happening to NADD. Can you help?
  HALIFA: What is happening is simple. People have been putting pressure on NADD to select a flag bearer. The Executive Committee decided to put that on its agenda. As far as the Memorandum of Understanding is concerned, the flag bearer should be selected through consensus or through a primary.
  There is no procedure on how consensus could be arrived at. The procedure however could be established by a simple majority vote. The first attempt at consensus was to nominate potential flag bearers and try to arrive at a consensus through voting. This created an impasse.
  This method was abandoned. A second method was unanimously agreed upon. A Committee for Selection comprising all the political shades was established. It was mandated to introduce criteria for selection of a flag bearer. The criteria had been unanimously agreed upon. Selection should have proceeded but the Committee for Selection indicated that consensus can best be built if the persons placed in the list made a declaration to abide by the decision of the committee. The meeting adjourned to enable the persons whose names were on the list to engage in consultation.
  At a subsequent meeting to discuss the results of the consultative exercise. It was at this point that Mr. Darboe tendered his resignation from NADD. Volunteers in the committee decided to engage him to promote unity.
  He was asked to withhold the submission of the letter of resignation to the IEC pending the consultative exercise. Prior to any meeting being convened, President Obasanjo visited the Gambia to enable the governing party and the Opposition to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to undertake to respect a Code of Conduct. NADD represented the five political parties who constituted the alliance. Only NCP and GPDP representatives signed on behalf of their parties. The presence of Mr. Darboe as part of the NADD delegation gave the impression that the consultative exercise would bear fruit.
  However the Kairaba meeting was followed by a press conference convened by Mr. Darboe to announce his resignation from NADD and promise to reapply for membership to the UDP. He added that a rally would be held and mentioned that Mr. Hamat Bah would be present.
  FOROYAA: The rally has taken place and Mr. Darboe and Mr. Bah have declared a UDP/NRP Alliance where does that leave NADD?
  HALIFA: NADD has to hold a meeting to examine the developments and take a position.
  FOROYAA: After the declaration of a UDP/NRP Alliance can one still talk about their membership in NADD? There is already a split in NADD?
  HALIFA: Every thing must be put in its proper context. The resignation of Mr. Darboe from the NADD Executive cannot be equated with the withdrawal of UDP from NADD.
  FOROYAA: You need to convince many readers.
  HALIFA: You see, there is NADD, the Alliance registered as a political party. The Alliance has both the characteristics of a party and Alliance at the same time. As an alliance all political parties have been equally represented at the Executive Committee.
  When NADD was registered the matter finally went to court. The court decided that if any person has registered as a member of NADD one must be seen as belonging to two parties. To ensure that the characteristics of NADD as an Alliance and a party remain, some members of the Executive committee decided to technically resign from their original parties to remain members of NADD. The original parties also continued to adhere to the MOU establishing the Alliance. The members of the Executive Committee continued to make decisions in liaison with the parties they originated from. This mechanism operated smoothly until Mr. Darboe decided to resign and start UDP activities. The equation has changed and in order to be honest to the public, the NADD Executive would have to meet to discuss the development and come up with a press release to clarify issues.
  FOROYAA: Does this mean that the selection of a flag bearer is now out of the agenda?
  HALIFA: The consensus principle is still being pursued. The primary is also an option. There is a delay, but there is no crumbling of NADD. THE UDP and NRP representatives are still active in the NADD Executive. Sooner or later the truth must be told to the people. It is a matter of time for everything to be clear and for NADD to move forward.
   
  Fucusing On The 2006 Budget
  By Abdoulie Dibba
  In delivering his 2006 budget before Deputies, the Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs, Hon. Bala Gaye, indicated that the primary objectives of the 2006 budget are to improve Public Expenditure Management, boost domestic revenues, sustain macroeconomic stability, reduce poverty and lay a solid foundation for a new Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility Program (PRGF) with the International Monetary Fund  (IMF), which will enable The Gambia reach the HIPC initiative completion point. .” SOS Gaye said that a precondition for reaching the Enhanced HIPC completion point is that the Gambia implements satisfactorily an IMF supported Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) Programme. ” In addition to the external debt burden, SOS Gaye said that Government also faces a very high domestic debt burden and a build-up of domestic arrears; that the 2006 budget contains measures to tackle both problems.“ SOS Bala-Gaye went on to say in his budget speech that “Government will
 face major expenditure pressures in the course of 2006 of which the largest are the holding of elections, and the Prospective African Union Summit.” The table below shows the budget appropriation according to departments which was approved by the National Assembly:-
  
   
  KEMESENG ON THE BUDGET
  PART 2
  By Abdoulie Dibba
  Kemeseng indicated that they have taken note with satisfaction that the dalasi has stabilized against the major foreign currencies.  Kemeseng said this has been indicated by the Secretary of State for Finance in paragraph 27 of the budget speech.  “The SOS said that the dalasi appreciated against all the major currencies in the first nine (9) months of 2005; compared to end.  December 2004, the dalasi appreciated against the Pound Sterling, Euro and Dollar by 7.1 percent, 5.5 percent and 6.1 percent respectively.  Kemeseng pointed out that this is a positive move and he hope that this will continue.
  He pointed out that despite the fact that the dalasi has appreciated according to the data, this appreciation of the dalasi Kemeseng stressed has not been reflected on the price of goods.  He pointed out that he is with the view that if the dalasi has appreciated against these foreign currencies, it should have effect on the prices.  This Kemeseng said has not been the case, but what happened in this case is that the more the dalasi appreciated, the more the prices of goods go up.
  ON THE BALANCE OF PAYMENT
  Kemeseng pointed out that the Secretary of State for Finance has indicated that “the value of exports is estimated to decrease to D3.6 billion, or 2.3 percent, relative to the previous year, reflecting lower exports of groundnuts.  Groundnut exports are valued at US$11.3 million.”  Hon. Jammeh indicated that from the data, one can see that what groundnut is bringing in this Country is very small.  In terms of imports, Kemeseng pointed out that the secretary of State has indicated that “the value of imports is estimated to increase to D6.3 billion or by 7.4 percent from 2004.”  Kemeseng pointed out that our exports are suppose to cater for our imports but one could see that, the gap between our export and import is very wide.
  This means that the future of this Country is gloomy as far as our balances of payments are concerned.  Kemeseng pointed out that what they should try and do is to develop the productive sector of the economy so that the gap between export and import can be reduced.  This is the only solution Kemeseng stressed.
  ON GAMBIANS ABROAD
  Kemeseng indicated that it is worthy to note that Gambians living in and working abroad are contributing immensely to the economy of this Country as indicated by the SOS in paragraph 37 of his speech.  The SOS indicated that “the flows of workers’ and remittances have grow steadily over the years, reflecting principally the increase in the number of Gambians living in and working abroad.  Remittances are projected at D856.3 million. Gambians living abroad are important constituent that is contributing immensely to the economy of this Country.  So it is important to take serious consideration for them to participate in the political activities of this Country, Kemeseng said.  They should participate in the electoral process as a constituent.” He pointed out that even though the constitution has given them the right to participate in the electoral process, up till now, there is no indication that they will participate as mandated by the constitution.  This Kemeseng said needs to be
 taken into consideration seriously. 
  ON HEALTH
  Kemeseng pointed out that there is great proliferation of health centres and hospitals through out the Country. This, Kemeseng said is a positive development, but noted that what is important is that these institutions should be well equipped and provided with drugs.  He noted that National Assembly Members would agree with him that there is perennial shortage of drugs in the health centres and hospitals in the Country.  Kemeseng said RVTH suffered from perennial shortage of drugs from January to December 2005.  This he said has led some people who were supposed to be operated on at RVTH, not operated, simply because the drugs needed for the operation were not available.  Kemeseng stressed that what is needed is to ensure that basic equipment and drugs are available at health centres and hospitals.  He said it is very vital that hospitals and health centres are equipped.  “In Soma for example, 80% of the people do not go to the health centre when they are sick.
  There is no point going to a health centre and be asked to buy drugs at private pharmacies including, paracetamol.”
  ON COOPERATION
  Kemeseng pointed out that the secretary of State for Finance has indicated that “the coming year will be very crucial for the Gambia, as the Country prepares to host the African Union (AU) summit in July, 2006.  Government will continue to cooperate with friendly Countries and other organizations, institutions and individuals to ensure the success of the upcoming African Union summit which will be a landmark in the Gambia’s diplomatic history.


		
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