The Launching of Opposition Coalition Marks The End of Jammeh's Rule - Darboe The Presidential candidate for the new opposition alliance Ousainou Darboe, who is also the leader of the main opposition United Democratic Party, (UDP) has said that the formation of the opposition coalition marks the end of the corrupt, despotic and dictatorial Jammeh administration. "Today is the beginning of the end of the dictatorship in this country. The PPP, GPP and UDP are determined to bring to an end the terrible dictatorship in this country," said the coalition leader. Mr. Darboe who was applauded by thousands of jubilant party supporters chanting slogans "Jammeh Gepo, Jammeh Gepo" meaning "Jammeh step down from office. Darboe added: "Our coalition is open to other parties. We welcome any other party who wish to join us in partnership in this coalition. I am confident that there are no deep ideological differences between the coalition partners and the other opposition parties." Darboe added that he is convinced that the coalition and other opposition parties are deeply committed to one common cause, which is to get rid of the Jammeh regime. While paying tribute to some of the UDP supporters who died during the cause of what he called the struggle, Darboe also paid homage to the victims of April 10 and 11 student unrest. The opposition leader who requested his supporters to observe two minutes silence for the April 10 victims said the innocent and defenseless students were murdered in cold blood by the country's security forces. Darboe told this audience that a coalition government would not tolerate human rights violations in the country. "Our coalition offers a different approach for the Gambia people. Under an UDP government every one will enjoy the full and equal protection of the law. We will have zero tolerance for abuses of any kind. We pledge that every institution from the Police to the judiciary, to the Army would be entirely transformed to serve you in a transparent and strictly lawful manner." said the coalition leader whose speech was marked by drumming and singing. Commenting on the forthcoming presidential elections Darboe called on Gambians to vote for the opposition alliance, which he said, is committed to restoring democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the Gambia. "I am confident that the Gambian people would unite and render a resounding verdict that would reject the APRC regime on account of its own awful record that have brought most of our people to the doors steps of destitution," Darboe charged. Darboe told his supporters that "President Jammeh is actively working towards reducing you the Gambian people to paupers and manipulating you into forming charity queues and lining up his residence. He added that Gambians are proud and decent people and not beggars. "You are entitled to the resources of your country and any one that works hard and plays by the rules ought to be able to forge ahead in dignity," Darboe admonished Gambians. The coalition leader also warned against vote buying in the coming presidential and parliamentary elections. He advised Gambians not to disenfranchise themselves. "As the polls gets closer this desperate regime and its cronies will employ every unorthodox, unethical and illegal means in a bid to frustrate your inevitable verdict. They will come to you with worth of cash and materials. It is a ploy to exploit the misery and the poverty they have inflicted on you." Through incompetent and neglect, Darboe went on, every sector vital to the well-being of the nation from agriculture, tourism, education, health care and the economy have collapsed. He added that average Gambians are living in abject poverty because according to him the Jammeh administration is bent on destroying the country's economy. He cited the rising inflation and the unfavaourable investment policies for new investors. He added that the Jammeh government could not facilitate the purchase of farmers' groundnuts for the past three years. High on their agenda according to Darboe would be economic reforms. He said a coalition government would improve what he called the country's sick economy. Addressing a political rally for the first time, in the second republic political situation Assan Musa Camara, Chairman of the opposition coalition and also the GPP leader said the lifting of decree 89 should not be seen as a gift to the unbanned politicians. Mr. Camara added that the local and the international pressure which was mounted on the Jammeh administration resorted to the freedom of the three political parties. Since the banned was lifted, he said, the GPP, PPP and NCP decided to meet to discuss the possibility to form an opposition alliance, including the existing opposition parties. UDP's Lamin Waa Juwara alias 'Mbarodi' described the occasion as special, adding that Gambians abroad would return home come October 18 as Gambians are determined to vote out the Jammeh government. Juwara who was chanting the slogan 'Jammeh Gepo' told his supporters that the game is over as he predicted a resounding victory for the opposition. He said at the time of launching of the UDP he was detained at the Mile Janjanbureh Central Prisons yet he (Juwara) pledged his full support for the party. He criticised the ban that was imposed on the PPP, NCP and GPP. Juwara said he spoke to former Finance Minister Bakary Buaja Darboe, Ex-Vice president Saihou Sabally and Dr. Momodou Manneh and they all extended their greetings to the opposition and would return home in due course. He added that former president Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara would also return to the country. Former agricultural Minister Amadou Omar Jallow, better known as OJ, who is also the chairman of the PPP's steering committee said peace has come to this country. Peace has come to this country, Yahya Jammeh is finished. OJ who told his jubilant supporters that he spoke to Sir Dawda Jawara before attending the meeting. He said the former president is extending greetings to Gambians and is also praying for peace and stability to prevail in the country. He called on all peace loving Gambians to vote Ousainou Darboe in the October election. OJ said an opposition alliance government would end tyranny and injustices in the country. He added that it would also restore democracy, and human rights in the country. He said the coalition would be committed to uplifting the conditions of the youths by providing them with job opportunities. OJ also strongly criticised the Jammeh administration for confiscating Sir Dawda Jawara's landed properties _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------