Kejau
Your quick reaction to Jawo's piece is very worrisome.If I was in your position, which I assume was to defend PDOIS, I will address the vague explanation of PDOIS absence in Raleigh rather than going after DA. I look forward to an explicit explanation rather than some repeated philosophical diatribes against critics. Thank you.
Wa Salam
Sariang

Sent from my iPhone

On May 28, 2013, at 8:53 AM, kejau <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Che. 
> DA seems very insincere in this article from accusing PDOIS stance as vague and further attempting to not seek further clarification but dwelling on those points PDOIS raised showing they were not vague after all. The fracas between UDP and NRP which D A dishonestly downplays, in effect justifies PDOIS' caution. More like later...
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> -------- Original message --------
> From: "C. Omar Kebbeh" <[log in to unmask]> 
> Date: 
> To: [log in to unmask] 
> Subject: [G_L] The Raleigh Conference: A step in the right direction - I CONCUR WITH DA JAWO 
> 
> 
> The Raleigh Conference: A step in the right direction
> 
> By D. A. Jawo
> The Raleigh conference on democracy and good governance which brought together some political leaders from the Gambia and several other political and civil society activists in the Diaspora has been labeled as a success by most of those who attended it. While its success no doubt can only be measured by its outcome both in the immediate and long term future, but the very fact that it succeeded in bringing together some people who hardly ever saw eye to eye on many issues to sit down for three days to talk about what should be done to bring about positive change in the Gambia, was a success on its own.
> In addition to the presence of the leaders of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Ousainou Darboe, the National Reconciliation Party (NRP), Hamat Bah and the rejuvenated People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Omar Amadou Jallow (OJ), there were also some other political heavyweights like B. B. Dabo, M. L. Sedat Jobe and Amadou Scattred Janneh, among other activists in the Diaspora.
> Of course there were some moments of disappointment, especially when Mr. Hamat Bah told the delegates in his very first intervention that he had to seek legal advice before attending the conference to ensure that there was nothing subversive in it. Everyone was no doubt disappointed to hear such a prominent political leader give the impression that he needed legal advice to attend a conference anywhere in the world to discuss Gambian issues.
> The other disappointment was the personal exchanges that transpired between Hamat Bah and Ousainou Darboe on the second day when everyone expected them to have adopted a more mature approach.
> Another disappointment was of course the failure of the two other active political parties on the ground; the People’s Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) and the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC) to send any representatives. While there is yet no reason why GMC never attended, but PDOIS has given a somewhat vague reason as to why it was not represented.
> While there is no doubt that some aspects of the PDOIS position had some merit, but the Raleigh conference offered quite an opportunity which they should have never missed. Apart from the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with the other stakeholders, it would have also accorded them the opportunity to explain to a much wider audience the party’s stance on a number of issues, some of which do not seem to be quite well understood by many of those who were at the conference.
> There was also no better opportunity to harmonise whatever the outcome of the Raleigh conference into a national consensus which could be used to move the process forward. We have all seen that it is taking an unnecessarily long time for the opposition at home to meet and arrive at a consensus, and if the Raleigh conference were to wait for that to happen, then it is likely that it would not be before the next presidential elections. For that reason alone therefore, the Raleigh conference was a necessity which should have been welcomed by all the stakeholders.
> Another issue which PDOIS seems to be banking on is a possible mediation between the opposition and the government on political reforms by Reverend Jesse Jackson. Good as it may sound, but it would be foolhardy to sit and do nothing while waiting for such mediation. It is one thing for Jesse Jackson to agree to such mediation, but it is a different thing altogether whether President Jammeh is interested in any form of mediation with the opposition. Therefore, until such time that the anticipated mediation by Rev. Jackson materializes; the opposition should go ahead with all necessary measures to bring about unity amongst themselves. Otherwise, no amount of mediation can do any good to a divided opposition.
> Another important bye-product of the Raleigh conference was no doubt the opportunity availed to the opposition leaders to use the several online radios and other media in the Diaspora to accentuate their policies and programmes to their audiences both at home and in the Diaspora, considering the fact that they have been denied access to the public media back home, while most of the independent media have been constrained on covering their activities.
> Therefore, despite the initial hitches and the absence of some important stakeholders, the Raleigh conference went into full gear and eventually came up with some pertinent resolutions, including a decision to form a Steering Committee, which, if fully implemented, will no doubt bring about positive results in the struggle to effect some changes to the untenable political situation at home. Even the very enthusiasm it generated amongst Gambians, both at home and abroad seems to auger well for a successful outcome. Let us therefore hope and pray that those who did not go to Raleigh would still adopt the resolutions and work towards achieving the desired national consensus.
> ENDS
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