Bailo I thank you for your considered view on a clearly developing story. Our readings of the material are starkly different, but I am confident that with time, the ramifications of Foroyaa's editorial would become much clearer. Considering your personal circumstances, I suggest to you that the "frontline", if there is any such thing, is not at all static. In so far as the "frontline" may shift with individual circumstances, the insinuation in the editorial regarding the Diaspora is misguided. A person may be at your "frontline" today, and outside our national boundaries tomorrow. Would geographic location makes the person for whom the "frontline" has shifted any less legitimate than the people behind this Foroyaa editorial? Unless my reading is completely wrong, this unfortunate editorial must be seen as a developing story that offers no joy as far as a united front for 2011 is concerned. I know your religion does not permit betting betting, but if you are willing to convert to Harunasilo (Haruna offers a betting dispensation to adherents of his religion), I am happy to enter a bet with you on the ultimate destination of this editorial in so far as 2011 is concerned. In any case, stay tuned, and watch this space. LJDarbo --- On Thu, 22/4/10, bailo jallow <[log in to unmask]> wrote: From: bailo jallow <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Foroyaa Editorial: The Gambian Opposition-The Punching Bag of The Gambian Diaspora To: [log in to unmask] Date: Thursday, 22 April, 2010, 19:54 LJD, You asked what I meant by "belittling the efforts or doubting the commitment of any politician on the frontline of Gambian politics". I believe my statement is clearly self-explanatory. You also asked: Where is the "frontline" in Gambian opposition politics? I believe that the frontline of Gambian opposition politics is within the borders of the Gambia. God forbid that bombs and bullets are resorted to, it would be those on the frontline who would first take direct hits. It is also those on the frontline of Gambian politics who could be arrested and imprisoned or tortured or made to disappear willy nilly. "I urge that you re-read this Foroyaa editorial for a proper appreciation of its fundamental message. Coming on the heels of the STGDP chat on GRTS international, the context is quite clear, and the message is extremely disappointing in its broad generalisations about matters Foroyaa could, in all likeliness, not be privy to. With time, the broad contours of this emphatic editorial would become clearer, and it is not going to be pretty." (LJD) I did re-read the editorial before sharing my thoughts on it. While admitting that I did not expect Foroyaa to share their frustrations with a segment of the diasporans as they did, neither did I perceive their messages to be "extremely disappointing" as you did. There have indeed been a lot of opposition bashing among diasporans particularly in the immediate aftermath of the illegal incaceration of Femi Peters. "Would UDP see Foroyaa as speaking for the Party in your highlighted passage? Unlikely! Would the NRP? Again, unlikely!" (LJD) I do not think Foroyaa would ever claim to have spoken for any of the other opposition parties. However it is likely that some members of these parties would share Foroyaa's frustrations with some diaporans. "Foroyaa should be on notice that we will discuss Gambian affairs as appropriate, acerbic, and clueless editorials notwithstanding." (LJD) I think we diasprans should not only expect sweet words as feedback from the opposition and vice versa. That is why I said in my opening reaction that "constructive criticism or citicism in good faith of the strategy/manifesto of any party to me is as important as giving a political party money or funds". Foroyaa has always stood for and campaigned for freedom of expression. So let us not get over-sentimental about the relevant editorial. As in 2006, I urge Gambians to hold on to their purses and not support anything other than a united front for 2011, assuming there is a 2011 in electoral terms. No single party can challenge the Professor's APRC in an unfair electoral contest, and the logic of a united front is not limited to poll outcomes. Your above to me is not a desirable plea. May PDOIS supporters fund PDOIS; UDP supporters fund UDP; NRP supporters fund NRP ; GMC supporters fund GMC and let us all also dedicate our efforts towards attaining a united opposion stance. YES WE CAN! Amen! Bailo --- On Thu, 22/4/10, Lamin Darbo <[log in to unmask]> wrote: From: Lamin Darbo <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Foroyaa Editorial: The Gambian Opposition-The Punching Bag of The Gambian Diaspora To: [log in to unmask] Date: Thursday, 22 April, 2010, 9:18 Bailo What do you mean by "belittling the efforts or doubting the commitment of any politician on the frontline of Gambian politics"? Where is the "frontline" in Gambian opposition politics? I urge that you re-read this Foroyaa editorial for a proper appreciation of its fundamental message. Coming on the heels of the STGDP chat on GRTS international, the context is quite clear, and the message is extremely disappointing in its broad generalisations about matters Foroyaa could, in all likeliness, not be privy to. With time, the broad contours of this emphatic editorial would become clearer, and it is not going to be pretty. Would UDP see Foroyaa as speaking for the Party in your highlighted passage? Unlikely! Would the NRP? Again, unlikely! Foroyaa is affiliated with a political party, and in the circumstances, it may be reasonable to assume it is speaking for the leadership of that Party. Viewed in the round, the implications of the editorial are explosive. If you want my instinctive view on a very clear editorial, I am incline to the conclusion that there is unlikely to be a united front against His Excellency SHEPAD Yahya A J J Jammeh (the Professor) in 2011. I am not crying about that possible outcome. Foroyaa should be on notice that we will discuss Gambian affairs as appropriate, acerbic, and clueless editorials notwithstanding. As in 2006, I urge Gambians to hold on to their purses and not support anything other than a united front for 2011, assuming there is a 2011 in electoral terms. No single party can challenge the Professor's APRC in an unfair electoral contest, and the logic of a united front is not limited to poll outcomes. LJDarbo --- On Wed, 21/4/10, bailo jallow <[log in to unmask]> wrote: From: bailo jallow <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Foroyaa Editorial: The Gambian Opposition-The Punching Bag of The Gambian Diaspora To: [log in to unmask] Date: Wednesday, 21 April, 2010, 15:16 Foroyaa states: "Foroyaa would like to come to the defence of such parties by emphasizing with all the emphasis it can command that those who criticize such parties but are unwilling to contribute a dime to their well being are sheer hypocrites." Constructive criticism or citicism in good faith of the strategy/manifesto of any party to me is as important as giving a political party money or funds. However I do not subscribe to attempts by a few towards belittling the efforts or doubting the commitment of any politician on the frontline of Gambian politics. I do not think that resorting to such tactics is fair or of any potential good for the opposition. Resorting to such methods would only generate needless bickering and animousity within the opposition instead of directing efforts and resources towards developing genuine unity base on mutual respect between opposition factions. The illegal incaceration of Femi Peters is a personal sacrifice that Femi was personally prepared for and as a key member of the UDP, it is also the price that his party is paying towards the freedom of Gambians. The legalistic approach of the UDP is therefore the best approach towards freeing him fom jail. Anyone who thinks otherwise should try to implement what they think is the only effective response. The following statement by Foroyaa is also a testimony of the immense contribution of PDOIS to the quest for sanity in the governance of the Gambia. It is applaudable. Any body who reads Foroyaa daily cannot fail to see that the Government is being engaged in all areas. Detentions without trial are being exposed, Seccos (ground nut buying centres) were monitored during the trade season which yielded positive results by engaging the marketing agencies, rural infrastructure and services are being monitored, the economy is being analysed and all civil, social, economic, political and cultural factors impeding development are being exposed and combated. The same goes to the positive contribitions the leaders of other parties especially Omar A Jallow and Lawyer Mai Fatty. They are all playing their parts as expected of them. We salute you all. In conclusion, I suggest that all opposition parties to respectively select a negotiator on their behalf for the task of achieving agreement for a united stance against the APRC in 2011. Best wishes to all! Bailo --- On Wed, 21/4/10, Modou Nyang <[log in to unmask]> wrote: From: Modou Nyang <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Foroyaa Editorial: The Gambian Opposition-The Punching Bag of The Gambian Diaspora To: [log in to unmask] Date: Wednesday, 21 April, 2010, 11:40 The Gambian Opposition-The Punching Bag of The Gambian Diaspora The Leaders of the APRC must wear a smile every day as they read many on line and local papers on the state of the opposition in the Gambia. Some claim that they are toothless bulldogs. Others claim that they are preparing for failure in 2011. Some argue that the opposition is not worth following until they engage the Government. Foroyaa therefore consider it in the public interest to do a review of the situation of the opposition in the Gambia. First and foremost, we have realized that a political party is as powerful as its number of members and supporters or its capacity to control state power. Our evaluation of nominations of Presidential Candidates reveals that none of the political parties ever had up to 20000 persons endorsing their nomination papers. This simply means that no political party in the Gambia has up to 20000 members. In fact, discussion with some informed executive members of parties confirm that many members of parties expect something from the leaders instead of paying membership fees. Hence, many political parties depend on patrons instead of membership dues to sustain their activities. Many of those in the Diaspora who make contribution see it as helping individuals in parties to achieve position of National leadership instead of fulfilling a National duty. Many opposition parties are therefore unable to build a base among the people. Foroyaa would like to come to the defence of such parties by emphasizing with all the emphasis it can command that those who criticize such parties but are unwilling to contribute a dime to their well being are sheer hypocrites. They have transformed the opposition parties into punching bags as a means of covering up their own political impotency and apathy. We therefore recommend that those who do not select to support a political party or form one if they are dissatisfied with all have no right to criticize those who are making effort to make sure that the Nation is govern according to the will of the people or offer themselves as alternatives. Those who are not making any effort to be on the ground to defend the interest of the people but are just criticising citizens who have the same obligation as they do are responsible for the current predicament of the Gambia. They are in fact the problem of the Gambia. They frustrate the little or big efforts others are making and thus sow the seed of political apathy. Political parties may have few members but could have many supporters. In short, more people turn out to vote for a candidate than the number of the members of his or her party. Foroyaa does not have to quote the results of elections since the 2006 Presidential elections to confirm that political apathy is not only affecting the opposition but also the APRC. Hence, many people are not coming out to vote for the parties. The challenge is for existing parties to develop new ways to win the hearts and minds of the people or new parties which could do so to emerge. The task of Gambians who are not helping political parties to find new ways or create parties to replace them is to appreciate the efforts of those who are at least putting their energies and monies where their hearts are. This is no time for opposition bashing. These are times to find solutions to shortcomings. Governments are not only engaged by political parties. They are engaged by the whole citizenry who are all stake holders. How many Gambians in the Diaspora attend programmes organised by political parties? Very few. However, they turn up by the hundreds to attend social programmes. It is best to use such social programmes to get them to discuss the future of their country. There is no doubt that the Government is being engaged at all corners. Any body who reads Foroyaa daily cannot fail to see that the Government is being engaged in all areas. Detentions without trial are being exposed, Seccos (ground nut buying centres) were monitored during the trade season which yielded positive results by engaging the marketing agencies, rural infrastructure and services are being monitored, the economy is being analysed and all civil, social, economic, political and cultural factors impeding development are being exposed and combated. What is missing in the Diaspora, are objective patriots who are willing to direct their energies and resources to strengthen parties of their choice or help to set up one. Opposition bashing will not lead us anywhere other than the road to political apathy. Only those who do not want a better Gambia would engage in such a trivial affair. ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤