Ansumana,

I tried to figure out what this was all about too. I will share with you what I gathered see if that helps:

The Mandinka Society according to their spokesperson is an indigenous Gambian NGO whose RE-constitution follows the passing of several of their elders. The society aims to contribute her part in national development and desires to collaborate with all other tribes for a more comprehensive effort.

Their presence at state house is to seek the accompaniment of the President and his cabinet in their philanthropic actiities for Gambia. I was going to get mad but now that I understood what the Mandinka Society was all about, I would wish them well and assist them whenever I can. They intend to be full partners in Gambia's development. For that I give them my support.

As is the case with other NGOs both foreign and domestic, the partnership of the government an administration is critical in their work. The Mandinka Society is not the first NGO in Gambia and it will not be the last. We should encourage the philanthropy among all the constituent tribes of Gambia.

The Mandinka Society is not responsible for Tangara or Gomez's speech or indeed for the free speech of any of their members. Each one of those members is still free to support any party in Gambia.

What I will discourage them from doing is to participate in any crime emanating from the state or Yahya and I will further encourage them to give their best counsel to Yahya when possible. I will advise them as an organisation, to refrain from binding the entire organisation in political pandering and campaigning. I have a feeling the spokesman will keep them on the narrow.

What I realised is that our Gambian traditions and customs tends to blur the demarcation between an NGO and a Political Action Committee. I hope they will be appropriaely guided. Each of their members is still free to choose which party t belong to or vote for. I will advise them to commit the NGO as a whole to any one party or the other.

See if this helps Ansu. I think Gomez and Tangara misunderstood the value of the Mandinka Society.

Haruna. Thank you for the opportunity to share my understanding with you. If you are still unsure what their purpose is, I encourage you to reach out to the Society and their spokesperson.

-----Original Message-----
From: Ansumana Bojang <[log in to unmask]>
To: GAMBIA-L <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wed, Oct 13, 2010 2:55 pm
Subject: Re: Jammeh/Banjul Mandinka Society Meeting On Raaki


Who are these bafoons?  what is their agenda?  it is disgusting to see selfish 
eople all over Gambia trying to curry favor with Jammeh.  what a travesty.  
hese are the people who are to blame for enabling Jammeh everyday.  how can 
hey ignore the atrocities commited by Jammeh on innocent Gambians?  Inshallah, 
hey will all be ashamed of their actions the day Jammeh is no more...that is if 
hey have any shame in them.
They call themselves "Mandinka Society" or whatever but I am curious to know 
hat the mission of the society is.  what has this they are doing at the state 
ouse to do with being mandinka?  I hope the relatives of these people will do 
heir part and admonish them for such shameful actions.
What has come of Gambia today?  I have been searching for this answer but cannot 
ut my fingers on it.  please help me anyone.
thanks you.
Ansu
> Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2010 02:35:14 +0200
 From: [log in to unmask]
 Subject: Jammeh/Banjul Mandinka Society Meeting On Raaki
 To: [log in to unmask]
 
 Hi!
 The Jammeh / Banjul Mandinka Society Meeting can be watched on Raaki.
 Find the address below.
 
 http://www.raaki.com/grts/jammeh-mandinkasoc1.html
 
 Have a good evening.
 Buharry.
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