Movement for Democracy and Development C/o 1540 Union Port Suite #10H Bronx, NY 10462 [log in to unmask] July 17, 2005 The speech delivered by Mr. Saihou Mballow the Chairman of the movement for Democracy and Development during the Launching of (NADD) in New York. Master of ceremony, invited guests of the occasion, ladies and gentlemen; allow me first and foremost to congratulate all those who in different ways contributed to the success of this very important launching of (NADD) in New York. On behave the movement for Democracy and Development (MDD), I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the opposition parties,(NRP), (PDOIS), (PPP), (NDAM), and (UDP) for courageously setting aside their differences and coming together to form a common front in the forthcoming 2006 elections. This is without a doubt a decisive move in the annals of our political history. Following the formation of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD) and the reaction to the on going spate of human rights violations in The Gambia, a group of dedicated persons came together in New York on March 27th 2005 to create this movement for Democracy and Development to inter alia support (NADD) in raising funds for the coalition. We are convinced that Gambians deserve better than what we have so far seen from the (APRC) Government. We believe the Deaths of Ousman Koro Ceesay, of numerous military officers such as Capt. Sadibou Hydara, the fourteen school children and most recent the Journalist Dehda Hydara is not mere incidents or accidents. More people have been arrested, detained, tortured and killed under the presidency of Yahya Jammeh than during the thirty -year rule of Dawda Jawra. We have no doubt that it is in the common and patriotic interest of seeing a better Gambia that your parties decided to unite your forces under the umbrella of (NADD). It is our pride, indeed our honor to join forces with you in achieving this noble goal. We already have been relentless to raise as much funds as possible to support (NADD). You may also want to know that we have been collaborating with other Gambian Organizations like Save the Gambia Project in Atlanta and Movement for the Restoration of democracy –UK who has similar objectives as ours. We are convinced that your presence in the U.S. will not only support our fundraising drive but also further promote (NADD) win over the skeptics. Ladies and Gentlemen; the worsening economic situation is as a direct consequence of the State of bad governance. The (APRC) government under President Yahya Jammeh pays lips service to the concepts of democracy and the rule of law making it extremely difficult to establish proper accountability in the management of national resources. The executive in the controlling force while the separation of powers has become a masquerade; a façade intended to mislead the world market to better handle opponents at home. The legislature is now a rubber stamping institution of the executive, while the Judiciary is under constant threat of removal of dismissal. The recent decision by the Chief Justice to declare all the opposition National Assembly members’ seats vacant for registering (NADD) is a clear indication of the pressure on him. Ladies and gentlemen, before I end my speech, I would like to thank my brothers Dr. Abdoulie Saine And James Bakum who came all the way from UK and Ohio respectively to represent their movements. Thank you all Thank you, I love you ____________________________________________________ Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/CGI/wa.exe?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤