Nyang,
Thanks for sharing this report. The observation I want to make is regrading the statement below:
."The congress therefore resolves, as the fifth resolution, that efforts must be made to introduce a party development fund which will initiate party development projects for the benefit of its members as well as the promotion and development of the party. It charges the party leadership to work on the creation of the party development fund and work with the party members on projects at the village, ward, district, regional/municipal and national levels that will further the interests of the party and its members."
I agree with the idea of a party development fund; and I also agree with the idea of party members to work on projects at the village, ward, district, regional/municipal and national levels, but I am not certain what it means that it "will further the interest of the party and its members."
Are these projects only to be limited to the party and its membership? Once's a project assumes a village, ward, regional/municipal or national dimension, it has transcended the bounds of the party and its membership Say for instance, if the party development fund is to be utilized to build a private school in one of the villages, or in a ward, is this school going to benefit only the party and its membership or the people in general? The same reasoning goes for any other development endeavor that the party will undertake with its development fund. I hope they will clarify this point.
The second observation is about the building of party branches particularly in the diaspora. The idea of building party branches, especially in European capitals where the presence of Gambians is quite minimal is counter productive; in this day and age where people all across the globe could be linked together; where they could have conferences on the phone etc, the idea of a party branch should not be restricted to a geographic location where you have a few Gambians, but should encompass the broader view of linking all Gambians who share the same aims and aspirations to a much bigger and more representative entity.
I, therefore hope, that in their next congress PDOIS will review it membership criteria, and make it possible for people not only to be sympathizers, but full fledge members as well.
Rene
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From: Modou Nyang <
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Subject: Foroyaa News: PDOIS HOLDS CONGRESS AT THE ATLANTIC HOTEL
PDOIS HOLDS CONGRESS AT THE ATLANTIC HOTEL
The People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism, PDOIS, held its 2010 Congress at the Atlantic Hotel on Saturday 24 April 2010.
The Congress was attended by 100 delegates from all the Regions of the country, a good number of whom were women. It was chaired by Amie Sillah and addressed by Halifa Sallah, the Secretary General of PDOIS.
The Congress focused on two issues – the relation between PDOIS and NADD and Agenda 2011. After a long and lively debate in which almost all the delegates expressed their views, the Congress reached a consensus that PDOIS may be accused of betrayal if it abandons NADD, while Sidia Jatta is still a NADD National Assembly member. The Congress decided for PDOIS not to rupture the Alliance which led to the establishment of NADD and adopted Agenda 2011 as the way forward. The Congress called on all PDOIS members to adopt agenda 2011.
The Congress passed seven resolutions. The first resolution addresses the relation between PDOIS and NADD. It resolves that PDOIS should continue to be a unifying factor and should be the last party to abandon NADD to prove to the Gambian people that it is true to what it has signed to the end.
Secondly, the Congress acknowledged that PDOIS is a party of its own. It took cognisance of the fact that a unity that is more elaborate and extensive than NADD is needed to effect change in 2011. The Congress resolves that Agenda 2011 is the strategy and tactic that can lead to change in the Gambia. PDOIS as a party therefore resolves that all members of PDOIS should support Agenda 2011 and work on the ground to facilitate its realisation. It calls on all political parties to hold congresses and endorse agenda 2011.
The Third resolution took note of the fact that PDOIS must continue to exist as a party that maintains its principles, policies, programme and practices; but should ensure that those principles, policies, programme and practices would not go against the National interest and would go to promote the realisation of Agenda 2011 for the Common good.
The fourth resolution took cognizance of the fact that the party belongs to the people and that no system of government is fit to exist in The Gambia which is not based on the consent of people; that no law is constitutional which contradicts the sovereignty of the Gambian person and hinders the exercise of their freedom of association and freedom of expression.
The Congress resolves that all party members should continue to promote those freedoms of association and expression so that a genuine multiparty system will exist in the country where no restriction or hindrance will be imposed on any party from exercising its political rights in the country.
The Congress took note of the fact that its sessions are a school for democracy that it helps party members to come together to share knowledge on how to manage the affairs of a country. The congress therefore resolves, as the fifth resolution, that efforts must be made to introduce a party development fund which will initiate party development projects for the benefit of its members as well as the promotion and development of the party. It charges the party leadership to work on the creation of the party development fund and work with the party members on projects at the village, ward, district, regional/municipal and national levels that will further the interests of the party and its members.
The sixth resolution recognised the presence of delegates from Italy, Germany and Spain and resolves that those who attended the Congress from abroad should represent the interest of the party in the countries where they reside. The Congress has mandated those people to work towards building party branches in those countries, operating in a democratic manner in the selection of officers and convey any decision they may make back to the party leadership.
The seventh resolution took cognizance of the fact that internal party democracy is inconceivable without power being exercised by the party members and that power must extend to the election of executive members of the party. The Congress further took note of the fact that this is the first congress that PDOIS held after the establishment of NADD. It resolves that the delegates should go back to work for the branches of the party to flourish in order to enable the membership to develop relation and understanding with each other. It resolves to hold another Congress at the latter part of this year or early next year to enable the party to update its registration of members and facilitate the democratic selection of delegates so as to elect party executive members.
All the resolutions were moved and passed without objections.
This reporter gathered that at least one delegate came form each of the 48 Constituencies in the country out of a total of about a 100 delegates. There were also invitees who had come from other parties to join the NADD and preferred to continue with NADD.
This reporter spoke to three of the delegates to get their impression of the Congress:
Teneng Jallow, from Morri Kunda in Wuli East, said the holding of the congress was a step in the right direction. She said the Congress had enabled them to know about the position of their political party PDOIS vis a vis NADD. According to her, the Presidential Election 2011 is just round the corner and that as such there is need for the party not to be involved in any controversy. She expressed her delight at the opportunity given to every delegate to speak his/her mind. She described the exchanges as mature, frank, honest and forward looking, which she said is fundamental in a democratic society and the democratization process. Teneng said she has faith in PDOIS as the party that can free the farmers from poverty and salvage the country.
Another delegate from Sandu, Foday Ceesay said he was very happy with the proceedings of the congress and the outcome. According to him, all the pertinent issues regarding the party were tabled and exhaustively discussed by the delegates and consensus reached. He said the country needs change to eliminate the suffering of the people and that the Gambian people should focus on themselves and take charge of their own destiny. He said it was necessary and timely to have held the congress and that now the task before them is to build and consolidate the party from the grassroots.
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