Hi Sidibeh!
                 I agree with what you and others have illustrated here 
regarding the need for an outside figure to lead NADD. I must admit that I 
was taken aback when I read that people within the NADD executive were the 
ones who were nominated to lead the party. I thought throughout that someone 
outside and neutral was being considered. Despite the fact that those 
nominated have the charisma and clout, it would be a terrible mistake on the 
part of NADD to choose any of them given that they have some form of legal 
process hanging over them.  I have argued this in private since I learnt of 
the nominations and I think it is Bailo who alluded to this earlier today. 
If either O.J., Halifa or Hamat are chosen as flagbearers, the government is 
going to delay their case until the elections are near, convict them and 
thus disqualify them from standing as presidential candidates. NADD would 
have little time to present another candidate to the people. With Justice 
Paul handling the case, a conviction would be as easy as 123. If Darboe is 
chosen as the presidential candidate, the government's appeal against the 
dismissal of his murder case would be accepetd given the recent strategic 
judicial reassignments. This would also make it easy for the government to 
tender a guilty charege against Darboe and disqualify him at the last 
moment. It is therefore imperative that those currently nominated follow 
Halifa's example and choose someone on whose neck legal threats are not 
hanging. Given the provisions of the MOU especially the term limitation 
clause, I don't understand why career politicians within NADD would want to 
lead it now given that they would not be able to participate after five 5 
years. I am therefore appealing to all concerened to think strategically and 
selflessly and put the interests of the country first. This is the best 
opportunity the opposition has. If this opportunity is squandered, all I can 
say is "Lord have mercy on The Gambia." Thanks and have a good evening.
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                         Buharry.




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Momodou S Sidibeh" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2006 11:09 PM
Subject: Re: NADD or the Birth Throes of a Political Alliance


> Dearest Mo,
>
> Your write-up cannot possibly be bettered. I must admit though, that I 
> stubbornly maintain an unchararteristic optimistic gait, perhaps purely 
> for self preservation.
>
> I simply revel in the wisdom of your last paragraph: "Maybe NADD should 
> get a birth attendant; an outside candidate who may just help us all 
> deliver the country from the grasp of a dictator". This should not be a 
> MAYBE.
> NADD does not have the time nor the luxury to fall victim to a miasma of 
> unhealed open sores of past rivalries and conflict, and it might just be 
> shooting itself in the foot if a flag-bearer is to emerge from within the 
> ranks of its own executive committee. In supporting your position, I 
> firmly believe that NADD must choose a figure outside the current 
> political line-up, someone who has no open allegiance to any of its 
> constituent parties; an independent-minded and charismatic icon, able to 
> exercise authority in implemeting NADD's program for the interim five-year 
> period before gracefully retiring from overseeing a transtition into a 
> democratic and open political era. Hassan Musa Camara, doctors Lenrie 
> Peters, or Ebrahima Samba, and a handful of other respectables, seem all 
> to be capable of delivering the country from its present torpor.
>
> Given the history of poltical organisation in Gambia, it would be almost 
> naive to think that an outfit like NADD should contest elections without 
> going through internal upheavals the likes of which we are witnessing. On 
> the other hand the very spirit of national healing and sacrifice that 
> brought the opposition under one umbrella in the first place, must 
> continue to be the rallying cry by which leaders must address the genuine 
> concerns and grievances of their constituencies, putting aside private 
> sentiments about disproportionate sacrifice, for the greater national 
> good.
>
> Cheers,
> Momodou S Sidibeh
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