Ebrima, your Sources are again 100% on point. These proposed amendments are
indeed very disturbing and the way the illegitimate government we have is
going about these changes should not be tolerated. I would even go further
than your Source and respectfully suggest that the opposition should call
for a Referendum (not just consultations) before these amendments are made
law. Constitutional amendments that would have the effect of
disenfranchising ordinary Gambians should not be promulgated without a
Referendum. At the very least here, we are dealing with proposals that would
give Yaya the power to appoint chiefs. This power is being taken away from
the masses. That should not happen without a Referendum. We all know that
the only purpose of these proposals is to strengthen Yaya's political base.
Opposition parties should not stand by and watch that happen. They should be
ready to bring the parliament down if those APRC cronies attempt to railroad
the Gambians. The opposition should be prepared for all eventualities;
including the possibility of banning Halifa Sallah, Sidia Jatta and Ousainou
Darboe from running for president. Ebrima, thanks again for the
contributions you and your Sources are making.
KB


>From: Ebrima Ceesay <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Cheyassin: No Consultation with people on proposed
>  Constitutional changes
>Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2000 20:11:36 -0000
>
>Gambia-L:
>
>The unedited e-mail below is a short commentary from a source in the
>Gambia.
>
>Ebrima
>
>_______________________________________________________________________
>
>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>Subject: Cheyassin: No Consultation with people on proposed Constitutional
>>changes
>>Date: Tue, 05 Dec 2000
>>
>>Ebrima,
>>
>>This Jammeh Administration is characterised by many as inept, dishonest
>>and
>>corrupt. Pap Cheyassin is an epitome of such characterisation. At his news
>>conference, he blatatly lied to the press and the general public, by
>>giving
>>the impression that a process of consultation with those whose lives will
>>be affected by the proposed amendments, that is the political parties,
>>members of civic society and the population in general, has started. When
>>he said that "the State has completed its consultations on the (various)
>>changes it seeks to make on the 1997 Constitution", he was attempting to
>>convey the impression that indeed the stakeholders had been consulted on
>>the proposed changes.  This is
>>indeed furthest from the truth.  In fact, up to the moment that I am
>>scribbling this message, the members of the public are unaware of which
>>section of the Constitution is being proposed for amendment by Cheyasin
>>Secka. If the people were consulted, there would certainly not be the
>>uncertainty and speculations as to the affected sections.
>>
>>In anticipating that such a charge will be levelled against him, he
>>assured
>>Gambians that "the State will give its reasons for the proposed changes
>>and
>>that the press will inevitably make their contribution." This process is
>>totally unacceptable. There should have been a national conference or at
>>least a national workshop/seminar where the merits and de-merits of each
>>of
>>the Government's proposal are discussed with the participation of members
>>of civic society and political parties.  The manner in which Cheyassin
>>intends to proceed with this extremely important proposal is unacceptable
>>and will be resisted by at least the UDP and the NRP. Since PDOIS may also
>>be affected directly, they are also likely register their opposition to
>>both the proposed amendments and the process of consultaion adopted by
>>Cheyassin Secka.
>>
>>All the same, indications are that both the UDP and NRP may boycott the
>>presidential election in 2001, if the National Assembly should ever
>>endorse
>>these proposals.  The elections will be left to the APRC alone to contest
>>and then face the wrath of the International Community. What these
>>nonentities fail to realise is that the current Jammeh Government is an
>>illegitimate Government which should be trying to gain legitimacy in the
>>months ahead. But instead, they are deepening and widening the isolation
>>of
>>the Gambia.
>>
>
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