My Dear Demba, Thanks for sharing with me your concerns. I will make a good attempt to respond to them to the best of my understanding and knowledge. For convenience sake I will leave out the quoted versions from the Foroyaa editorial and concentrate on your notes. You wrote: “Political representation is indeed a contract... actually the responsibility of changing the status quo lies on the shoulders of the leaders and citizens.... if leaders cannot convince citizens to follow them... then they should consider given a new generation the opportunity to lead....” Demba you said it all and if I am to add anything onto it is to bring back your statement vice-versa. If citizens cannot convince leaders to follow them, guess what will happen. Probably they will end up having gollohs and derrmo’s as leaders. And for the last bit of your statement quoted above, I will refer to my lovely brother and namesake Modou Mboge’s signature messages to the confused Mathew K Jalllow published in the Gambia Echo. As Mboge asked “where the hell is the new blood”, I will add who is or has denied them the opportunity to lead. "The future of the Gambia is no longer in the hands of the leaders". Foroyaa. “I disagree with this statement... and add that as long as leaders aspire to represent the people.... the motivation for change equally lies on their shoulders...” Demba Demba, you have a right to disagree. However, the fact is that it is the who form the majority that can determine the future. The Gambian people have a choice to make and all that those who come before them asking for their consent to lead them do, is to offer them choices. So the choice is theirs. Opposition I unity/alliance or not, the people will have to decide between Yaya Jammeh or from among the rest or yet still to either go on with their ataya. It is theirs hence I agree fully with Foroyaa on this statement: “No body should love the Gambian people more than they love themselves They should now take a decisive stance on whether they want change or maintain the status quo. They cannot afford to remain apathetic. People give up when they do not have the leaders who are worth the salt. Leaders also give up when they do not have the support of the people who are worth the salt.” “Politics is about winning... not staying around until chance find you there.... individual party supporters and citizens should start to question how long will their leaders stay around and lead the same failed policies??? Does leadership term limit only applies to the party in government? Charity begins at home... Parties should institute term limits within their ranks.... practice what you preach..... should be the norm.” Demba Demba, politics is not entirely and exclusively about winning only. If that is the case I see no reason why you should question someone like Hamat calling him a seasonal politician. Demba, let me share this with you. When I read PDOIS’s analysis of it’s participation in the 1987 general elections noting that the future is bright and that they were well aware of the long road ahead, I promised my self to commit to that future struggle. We at PDOIS are well aware of the situation we are in and consciously choose the type and manner of politics we employ. If it was all about winning sake we would not be talking about what obtain in the Gambia. There is also what is called winning with dignity not only winning at all cost. Whenever, there is that somebody who is willing, able and capable to take the baton, we will assign them the responsibility to lead our party. Until that day comes. But not wannabe’s strolling everywhere except to the battle ground. Failed policies? You have to elaborate Demba, so I can talk on far my party is concerned. Term limit withing parties? An opinion worth looking into. Nyang --- On Wed, 6/16/10, Demba Baldeh <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
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