-----Original Message----- From: Haruna Darbo <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Fri, Jul 2, 2010 1:59 pm Subject: Re: Foroyaa News:PDOIS PRESS RELEASE AFTER THE UDP CONGRESS Rene, I'm pleased we have now established that any difference between party membership and party supporter, in as much as resident Gambians are concerned, is SEMANTIC and AMBIGUOUS at best. So Daffeh was correct in ridiculing Halifa's postulation that no single opposition party had more than 20,000 CARD-CARRYING members. I highlight CARD-CARRYING because that was what Halifa actually said. So Halifa was not actually wrong in what he said. It was just ridiculous a bit because he may not be aware that unlike PDOIS and possibly APRC, other parties do not REQUIRE their voters/supporters/members to carry cards depicting such registration. In general, when a citizen decides to register as a member of a party, they belong to that cadre of the party such as the executive or maintenance body of that party. That means they have "VOLUNTEERED" to assist the party in sustenance from election to election. They maintain the life of the party. Although it would be expected that those people vote for the party in all subsequent elections, they are not required to do so. Haruna, I have read your exchange with Modou with respect to the above issue. I have tried to be as clear as possible in my understanding of membership to a party, as opposed to be being a supporter of a party. The first carries a responsibility and an obligation whilst the second does not. This is why I indicated that though the distinction may be little its bears upon responsibility and obligation. For instance, the members of a party bears the responsibility of electing the executives of the party; the supporters of the party cannot shoulder this responsibility because in the constitution of the party, it may be spelt out as to how the executive can be elected. And most certainly it would be done by the members themselves. I cannot imagine a scenario where a party would invite supporters, who do not register their membership with the party, to elect its executive. There must be some sort of internal dynamics within the party itself to bear this obligation. It cannot come from outside of it. Your exchange with Modou will bear testament to this. Whereas, in fulfilling the Independent Electoral Commission's requirement for both the registration of a political party, and the nomination of a political candidate, dictate that a member of a political party who also carries a voters card must register with the IEC for these purposes, you keep substituting voter for member and draws no distinction between the two. One is general and the other is particular. That kind of argument is clever; it is pedantic but obviously obfuscate the reasoning behind it. From what I can discern, the IEC requirement clearly stipulates that a MEMBER OF THE PARTY who is also A REGISTERED VOTER, must satisfy the requirement to register a party or nominate a canidate. It is not an either or. You must be a member of the party and you must be a registered voter. Go over your notes again. Rene. I think you're following my logic here Rene. Stop me when I stray. You are very clever. That much I will give you. Rene. If you go back and read Halifa's culprit paragraph in its entirety, you will recognize how he ascribes the realities of PDOIS and other obvious and innocuous facts, strings them together, to arrive at the conclusion that supports the postulates of PDOIS' Agenda-2011. I know he does not want to accept the fact that Agenda-2011 is replete with such garbaldigook and Gambians such as Haruna are not interested in that. We have work to do. But Halifa wants to force us to consider that cacamayme anyway by issuing a friggin Press-Release on the UDP Congress just held. First of all, if Daffeh did not respond to that insignificant press-release, I would not have given it casual review. Halifa has no locus standi to issue any release muich less press release on UDP, NRP, GMC, nadd, ppp, or APRC congress. I think you will accept that without prejudice Rene. The reason he issued a press-release on it is to find a way to advance PDOIS' campaign guised in an Agenda-2050. I know I may not convince you of that just yet. Your indoctrination in PDOIS and circumstance will not allow that just yet. But it will come for I have enormous faith in your acumen. For now, I will address your notes proper: Having read your exchange with Modou, I think that will suffice for me. Modou tried to answer most of your concerns above .However, your reference to being indoctrinated in PDOIS is what I will take issue with. I am not a member of PDOIS, although you can consider me as a supporter or a sympathizer. If you cannot find value in the enormous contributions PDOIS, or Halifa in particular, has made over the years on the political situation in the Gambia; on the economic situation in the Gambia and on the others issues that relates to our society and culture, I obviously do. And as we continue this conversation this will become apparent. Halifa has already sowed the seeds; they are out there. You may call it indoctrination, but when the full force of this potency is released it will be something completely different. Rene. [Haruna, a political party must have clear aims and objectives of what it hopes to achieve. The members of the party are to articulate such aims and objectives, so as to give the party a political direction. The level of conviction and commitment to the ultimate aims and objectives of the party, may be more robust for a member than for a supporter. So there may be a little distinction in terms of responsibility and obligation.] Rene. Rene, but for a few minor adjustments, I will agree with you on the theme of your statements. Here are the adjustments; 2nd sentence: The EXECUTIVE members and associated affiliated groups (Youth wing, women's wing, unions) of the party are EXPECTED to articulate the party's aims and objectives. Why only the Executive and associated affiliated groups are EXPECTED to articulate the party's aims and objectives, and not the general membership? Rene. That is the campaign proper to attract supporters and voters. Rene, membership connotes a legal act, either written or oral expression. If you agreed that membership to a party in Gambia is not readily discernible from supporting such party, and you continue to be confused here, you will agree that we will not understand you very well. I want you to make that relevant distinction in your future notes. I refer you to my notes above where I went over this issue again. Political direction means to seek out a sympathetic polity.The articulation here is the campaign proper. I thought I'd enhance your notes here. They all have equally robust conviction and commitment. The members of a political party in Gambia are the same as the party's supporters Rene. The scope and scale of conviction and commitment of a member is exactly the same as that of a supporter where membership of a party is not readily discernible. Given what I have already stated above we will just agree to disagree. Rene. [Moreover, the point I want to make is that if membership to a political party is determine by criteria; those who willingly accept to meet those criteria can therefore be said to members of that party. This is different from supporters, who may not have the same inclination to register (appy) for membership to those parties; pay the membership fee and abide by the rules and regulations that govern the party. It is the number to such registered (apply) members of such political parties that the 20,000 figure infers.] Rene. Membership of a political party in Gambia is not determined by criteria. Any citizen can be a member of any political party in Gambia. Probably with the exception of PDOIS. No other party I know of in Gambia has a policy of their supporters and voters registering as members of the party. I know that PDOIS has required the members of their Central committe and Politburo to pay dues. The executive and associated affiliate groups may contribute to the sustenance of the party but their supporters and voters are not registered members. Halifa said "CARD-CARRYING" members. This connotes the activites of communist parties who require the central committee and politburo members to carry their membership cards so they could identify each other when it comes to favouritism in policy and activities. This is the mindset that is so insiduous. You will recall in one of the notes Dad shared with us after PDOIS' Congress that alluded to setting up ventures for PDOIS members back home in Gambia. This theme of favouritism and therefore a narrowed membership pool is very detrimental to PDOIS, and it is elitist. You see Gambians have long recognized that if you are not a CARD-CARRYING member of PDOIS, even if you vote for them, you are not significant to PDOIS when it comes time to draft governance policy. This explains the 2.3% voting for PDOIS. It is likely to stay that way. It is very difficult for PDOIS to change this posture because the foundation of the party is based on such elitist and discriminatory activities based on populist rhetoric. Don't try to divine what the erudite Halifa infers. He is a prodigious writer. Some of his writings and speeches are older than you Rene. Wow, Haruna. That is a serious indictment. You have cheapen here the enormous contributions PDOIS, and Halifa in particular, has made over the past sevearal years. And I don't think it is fair. Rene [You contend that Halifa cannot know which party, if any, has 20,000, 30,000 or so members. I would only say that Halifa is very deliberate, and I will not be surprised if he comes up with an explanation of how he arrives at that conclusion.] Rene. Don't worry Rene. Halifa's notes are self-explanatory. His notes said "Card-carrying" members. Look at it for yourself. I will not expect Halifa to explain that any further. That will have been an exercise in mental contortion of epochal proportions and it will open up another can of intractable worms. [1. Haruna, what then is the basis of supporting a political party in the Gambia? 2. Do people support political parties base on their programs? 3. Do they support political parties base on their policies? 4. Do they support political parties base on their ideas?] Rene. 1. Whatever basis a supporter conjures up is the basis for his/her support of a party. 2. Yes. 3. Yes 4. Yes. And these 4 questions do not exhaust the calculus people in Gambia support parties. Haruna, you have answered in the affirmative to all the questons above. This is the ideal. This is how we suppose our political system to function. That is why political parties who are really committed to their programs, their policies and their ideas take the time, constantly, to explain to the people what these programs, policies and ideas entail. This is so, precisely, so that when such political parties assume the reins of power, the people will know exactly what to expect from them. But this ideal, I dare say with the exception of PDOIS, does not conform to the reality of our politics on the ground. The politics of patronage, inducement and an appeal to tribal or ethnic sentiments in as much as we may want to negate its potency, is very much a part of the political fabric that makes it possible to sustain a political hegemony for 45 years that we have been an independent nation. The first lasted for over 30 years, and the second is more than 15 years and counting. Rene. [We have to recognize that our societies are continually in a state of conflict. More so, when it is govern by diverse interest. This is the reason we have different political parties. This is the reason we have groups that emerge and compete against each other. We all want to promote and sustain the interest of whatever we represent. However, with a democractic system organized around a sound constitutional arrangement, with checks and balances, institutions and structures that promote the health and welfare of the people, all these conflicts can be managed to the betterment of everyone.] Rene. Believe it or not Rene I totally support your above statement and this is what my life is all about. Thank you for echoing my thoughts here. [I completely agree with you about whatever electoral calculus people have in winning an election, but I do hope that it will be under an environment that promotes the rule of law; that respects the sanctity of human life and the dignity of the human being. And environment that celebrates freedom of expression, and all the other freedoms, as long as it is not injurious to the state and other people.] Rene. I said you were a beautiful man Rene. That was an understatement. The only adjustment I would make is to remove your last statement "as long as it is not injurious to the state and other people". This is because when people vote under a rule of law, that law takes care of injury to the state and your fellow. Unless of course you imagine other law to discern injury to state or other that is different from the reductive constitutional law. In the main, I think your heart is in the right place. And I appreciate your admission of error. I think all PDOISards should aspire to be like you Rene. They will be the wiser for it. As long as it is not injurious to the state and other people. Just to bear on the fact that people have rights and they also have responsibilties. The law states those rights and responsibilties for the people as well as the state. Everyone should act within the bounds of the law. Rene. Haruna. I love you Rene. Did I say that? Ok. I mean it. Thanks. Haruna. -----Original Message----- From: rebadjan <[log in to unmask]> To: GAMBIA-L <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thu, Jul 1, 2010 6:59 pm Subject: Re: Foroyaa News:PDOIS PRESS RELEASE AFTER THE UDP CONGRESS Haruna, I am doing good. Good to hear from you too. I have read the ideas that you share with me, and I find them useful. Find below my response to some of yours.-----Original Message-----From: Haruna Darbo <[log in to unmask]>To: [log in to unmask]: Wed, Jun 30, 2010 7:34 pmSubject: Re: Foroyaa News:PDOIS PRESS RELEASE AFTER THE UDP CONGRESSRene, how are you? Good to hear you again. At least you have a temporary release permit from the Big Dinko. From me. Haruna. Before your permit expires, Let me share some ideas with you:[--------Original Message----- From: rebadjan [log in to unmask] To: GAMBIA-L <[log in to unmask]>Sent: Wed, Jun 30, 2010 6:24 pm Subject: Re: Foroyaa News:PDOIS PRESS RELEASE AFTER THE UDP CONGRESS-----Original Message----- From: UDP United Kingdom <[log in to unmask]>To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Tue, Jun 29, 2010 10:01 pm Subject: Re: Foroyaa News:PDOIS PRESS RELEASE AFTER THE UDP CONGRESS"But hey! did you spot Ayatollah Sallah's gaffe? He said [ I am paraphrasing] there is no party in the Gambia with more than 20,000 members. Does anyone seriously believe that?"] Rene, Paraphrasing Daffeh.[Is there a difference between a member of a party and a supporter of a party? Most of the people who vote in Gambian elections are supporters of the party they vote for, and may not necessarily be members of those parties.] Rene.(Rene, in Gambia, there is no difference between members of a party and supporters of that party. Among diasporan Gambians that distinction is more apparent. In effect, you are right that some people who vote for a party in Gambia may not necessarily be members of the party or even open supporters of that party for good spectacular reason. These are semantics for Gambia. What Daffeh is alluding to is that Halifa cannot know which party if any has 20,000, 30,000, 50,000, 10,000, or 100,000 members. To rely on such inutile analysis is sophomoric. Your statement about voters for a party in Gambia, can be applied to voters in any nation.)Haruna.Haruna, a political party must have clear aims and objectives of what it hopes to achieve. The members of the party are to articulate such aims and objectives, so as to give the party a political direction. The level of conviction and commitment to the ultimate aims and objectives of the party, may be more robust for a member than for a supporter. So there may be a little distinction in terms of responsibility and obligation.Moreover, the point I want to make is that if membership to a political party is determine by criteria; those who willingly accept to meet those criteria can therefore be said to members of that party. This is different from supporters, who may not have the same inclination to register (appy) for membership to those parties; pay the membership fee and abide by the rules and regulations that govern the party. It is the number to such registered (apply) members of such political parties that the 20,000 figure infers. You contend that Halifa cannot know which party, if any, has 20,000, 30,000 or so members. I would only say that Halifa is very deliberate, and I will not be surprised if he comes up with an explanation of how he arrives at that conclusion.[In the US, for instance, people register their affiliation to a political party by being either a democrat, republican or an independent.] Rene. (NO. That is inaccurate. In some parts of the US, folk register their party affiliation. In other parts, folk do not register their party affiliation. And if the US were a dictatorship where party registration determines whether you are accorded your human rights, you will see no one registering their party affiliation. The same is true for Canada, Russia, Mali, Australia, Ghana, Senegal, and Kenya.)Haruna.I concur. I went back and review the literature on the political system in the US, particularly with respect to the Democractic party and the Republican party, and learn that "the political parties in the US are more loosely organized than in other countries." That the Democractic party and the Republican party, have "no formal organization at the national level that controls membership, actvities, or policy positions. But there are states that do." "One can become a member of either of the political parties by merely stating that fact."So my statement with respect to political party affiliation in the US is ill- conceived; the idea is far more elaborate than my statement presume. I will go back and understand the literature more. [In the Gambia people do not register their affiliations to a poltical party.] Rene. (And for good reason. Whatever the case, it is individual decision to register affiliation or not to register affiliation. It is not decreed by law of any nation that citizens must register their party affiliation. If you were in Gambia, would you register your membership to PDOIS? That is if you are not a member of the Central Committee or Politburo. Just an ordinary member. I think Halifa is confusing executive and other committee membership with general membership. He needs to make that clear. And you need to adjust your postulations about the folk of US.)Haruna.Only, if I have to run for political office would party affiliation become somewhat formal. I would register my membership to PDOIS if I want to run for political office in the name of PDOIS. I have reconsidered my earlier remark about party affiliation in the US given what I know now. [They register to obtain a voters card. And may or may not be members of a political party.] Rene. This is what happens in all nations which hold elections for one reason or the other. And the reason is you register so you can be issued a voter's card. The registration itself is conducted to ascertain your eligibility to vote and to reduce electoral fraud. It is not to determine which party you are affiliated with. I think requiring registration for party affiliation is a communist idea. Why would you not acknowledge that someone can change his or her mind on the day of election. Why would you jail them to vote for a party? There is no point in registering one's party affiliation. if that is so, you do not need to conduct elections. Why waste the resources when you can simply count those registrations for the appropriate party on election day??????????"Haruna. Point well taken. Since I made the postulation based on a faulty reasoning. "In some states, a voter can register as a member of one or another party, and vote in the primary elections of one or another party. Such participation does not restrict one's choices in any way." [That is why it is difficult to quantify the support base of a political party in the Gambia.] Rene. (NO no no no no. There you go again. You erroneously establish registration for party affiliation as a standard, then you draw conclusions based on that standard. I know there will be nothing PDOIS would want more than to compel folk to register their party affiliation. You can probably do it when I leave you here to play with folk's lives. It ain't gonna happen as long as I'm alive. On my dead body.) Ok, Haruna. Don't prosecute PDOIS for what is clearly my own ill conceived notion. Nobody is going to force anybody to do what they don't want to do.[Whereas affilation to a political party is govern by principles in places like the US;] Rene. You PDOISards are so funny. What principles is party affiliation governed by the US RENE??????????????????????????????? Voting and party support in the US is based on the same principles and values as it is everywhere in the world. I think these temporary permits out of the Big Dinko is good for you. Talk to Americans around you. They'll let you know. [in the Gambia affiliation to a political party is more nuanced.] Rene. All principles are nuanced Rene. This is because they are individual principles. There is not a set set of principles in the US or anywhere in the world upon which any voter is mandated to base their electoral calculus. You don't understand do you? What state in the US do you live in Rene? [It could be motivated by any given factor.] Rene. YES. For anyone anywhere in the world. It is based on conditions on the ground. Just like our pulling out of Afghanistan. [This is the reason why some political analyst give reference to patronage, inducement, ethnicity and other shared common linkages as factors that can influence the support base for a political party.] Rene. (And do you see anyone paying those idiots for their analysis? You get what you pay for. Analysts are a dime a dozen. And let me share a secret with you Rene. Don't pay any analyst who tells you folk vote for or support parties in Gambia based on patronnage, inducement, ethnicity, and other shared common linkages. You know why? Its because these are reasons folk cast their votes everywhere and besides, you cannot force anyone to change their electoral calculus and have it free and fair. Men. You PDOISards have a warped sense of the world in which you live. No wonder you're in a Big Dinko.)Haruna. Haruna, what then is the basis of supporting a political party in the Gambia? Do people support political parties base on their programs? Do they support political parties base on their policies? Do they support political parties base on their ideas?We have to recognize that our societies are continually in a state of conflict. More so, when it is govern by diverse interest. This is the reason we have different political parties. This is the reason we have groups that emerge and compete against each other. We all want to promote and sustain the interest of whatever we represent. However, with a democractic system organized around a sound constitutional arrangement, with checks and balances, institutions and structures that promote the health and welfare of the people, all these conflicts can be managed to the betterment of everyone.I completely agree with you about whatever electoral calculus people have in winning an election, but I do hope that it will be under an environment that promotes the rule of law; that respects the sanctity of human life and the dignity of the human being. And environment that celebrates freedom of expression, and all the other freedoms, as long as it is not injurious to the state and other people.[It is therefore not outside the realm of possibilties, that you will find a political party that does not have 20,000 registered members, who are bind by the constitution and the rules and regulations that govern the party.] Rene. Realm of possibilities???? Duh!!!! Registered members???????? I don't see the word Registered in Mr. Daffeh's quote. And even if that is what Halifa meant, which other party requires all citizens who would vote for them to register as members???????????? I don't understand. I encourage PDOIS to dispense with the idea of requiring their supporters and past voters to register as members of the party. You are effectively imprisoning the mind? How do you know the voter will not want to change his/her mind a minute after such registration. Please don't hold our people hostage to dictatorship and communism. What????? This is why I advised Daffeh Gambians should leave PDOISards in their Big Dinko for a while longer. Because even when we go near the Dinko to give them a hand up, they want to pull us in with them. What????????????Haruna, you have to understand that political parties are formed by individuals who want to represent their interest, as well as the interest of others. Everyone has the right to represent and to be represented by others. But we all have the choice either to accept that representation or to seek it elsewhere. This is why we have choices. And we can choose among the political parties that come before us and look at their programs and policies and make inform choices. Or even bad choices. But then every five years when we have elections we can correct whatever bad choices we made the last time. We just have to work on having a conducive environement and a political temperament that accepts dissenting views. How I long to see in the street corners of Banjul and other metropolitan capitals in the Gambia, what I see in the street corners of Manhattan and elsewhere, of people venting their anger and frustration with loud speakers for all to hear. At the end of the day they will pack all their paraphernalia and head quietly home.You make an interesting observation about party requirements for registration of membership. How is it going to work? To just declare your membership of a party and then wait patiently to vote.Thanks for the good ideas. And thanks for the company too.ReneI encourage you guys to speak some more. We don't want to get surprised by your schemin'. Registered members!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wolla Allah!!!! Haruna. I find that statement quite pathetic. May be that is just anothertypical PDOIS hyperbole. The guys now sounds like a complete tosser. Nowonder the other parties are taking no notice. Regards Daffeh On 30/06/2010, Haruna Darbo <[log in to unmask]> wrote: Mr.Daffeh, to butress your point in PDOIS' arrogance and haughtydisposition, and before Caesar get ahold of your notes, the reason whyPDOIS is not naturally capable of negotiation or considering any otherpoint of view can be traced to PDOIS' origins. PDOIS began as aninstrument of "Re-education" for a people they view as savage,illiterate, and unconditioned. In other words instead of accepting thattheir fellow Gambians have a right to Free choice, expression, andassociation for industry and worship, PDOIS asserts that a sovereignmust have a base level of consciousness and or "education" before thesesacrosanct divine rights can be appreciated. So PDOIS has assigneditself the duty to conduct that re-education and conscience-building inorder to make the Gambian people ready to receive their God-givenrights. Well I want PDOIS to know something: We are not fullyedumacated yet. I should think we will be ready in 2050. ForgetAgenda-2011. We want Agenda-2050. With Love from Haruna. And Badou I'm not paranoid or angry. I'm pissed. -----Original Message-----From: UDP United Kingdom <[log in to unmask]>To: GAMBIA-L <[log in to unmask]>Sent: Tue, Jun 29, 2010 6:28 pmSubject: Re: Foroyaa News:PDOIS PRESS RELEASE AFTER THE UDP CONGRESS''In the spirit of compromise, will the UDP consider a united front ledby your party leader on the above premise? With your party's numericalstrength, I don't see any down side to such an arrangement. Is there?At the end of the purported five years, you should cruise to victory ina free and fair elections. No? '' Ousman, thanks for your observation above.However, its looks like thisis not even a starter as PDOIS would not even entertain any discussionthat tend to suggest a UDP led allaince.In 2006, the UDP invitedNADD's flag bearer for talks regarding the possible inclusion of NADDinto the UDP led allaince but this was outrightly rejected. Halifa ison records saying any such thing will amount to helping somebody tobecome an elite. So it is clear these people's ego and arrogance willnever allow them to reason with anybody. That is why when we talkabout a coaliton of opposition parties, it is better we don't talkabout PDOIS. I personally don't want them there and I certainly don'twant them to be talked to. These people will never entertain anythingthat is not their creation and unfortunately, theirs' are always aliento our planet. For Example, where on earth did you ever heard acoalition of independant soveriegn parties contesting a primary tochoose a candidate? You tell them that; they would say oh no agenda2011 is not partisan. If it is not partisan why calling on parties toendorse it? We all have Agenda 2011 in our own rights. They just happen to bedifferent. My understanding from OJ's Freedom Newspaper Radio interviewis that this Agenda 2011 being talked about by PDOIS is HalifaSallah's agenda for the year 2011. So it must be left to him for he isentitled to have an agenda of his own. I will not talk about some of the grotesque statements made in thePDOIS Press Release for there is a lot in store for that but can I sayone thing;other than reference to the constituent parties ofNADD, there is no single mention of the word 'party' in the MOU thatestablishes NADD. Kind regards Daffeh On 29/06/2010, Ousman Ceesay <[log in to unmask]> wrote:Suntou,Politics is the art of compromise. I understand the numericalstrength of the UDP in comparison to their siblings in the oppositiongoing by the results of past elections. However, reading through theForoyaa editorial posted by Nyang, I am intrigued by the following:"Hence PDOIS favours the creation of a transitional administrationafter the APRC government that would last for a period of 2 to 5 years".In the spirit of compromise, will the UDP consider a united front ledby your party leader on the above premise? With your party's numericalstrength, I don't see any down side to such an arrangement. Is there?At the end of the purported five years, you should cruise to victory ina free and fair elections. No?The only sticking point in the editorial is the issue of primaries.Intra-party primaries are prevalent, but inter party primary isn'tgoing to wash. However, I think PDOIS is pragmatic enough to let thatslide if the transition government arrangement is agreed to by the UDP.How about giving it a try guys? Hon. Sidia Jatta is the liaison forPDOIS outreach. Who is the liaison for the UDP, NRP? Intransigence andideological purity will not win at the end of the day, but pragmatismwill.http://gambian.blogspot.com From: suntou touray <[log in to unmask]>To: [log in to unmask]: Tue, June 29, 2010 7:18:28 AMSubject: Re: Foroyaa News:PDOIS PRESS RELEASE AFTER THE UDP CONGRESSIndeed Haruna, no change there. Unbelievable stuff. Unity, what unity?Blame the big fish...It will workNo comments...Suntou On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 4:40 AM, Haruna Darbo<[log in to unmask]> wrote:Oh brother.Haruna.-----Original Message-----From: Modou Nyang <[log in to unmask]>To: GAMBIA-L <[log in to unmask]>Sent: Mon, Jun 28, 2010 10:59 pmSubject: Foroyaa News:PDOIS PRESS RELEASE AFTER THE UDP CONGRESSPDOIS PRESS RELEASE AFTER THE UDP CONGRESSBy Mamadou Dem on 28-06-10 (127 reads) News by the same authorWe publish below the full text of the press release of the People’sDemocratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) whichwas read by its Secretary General, Halifa Sallah, at a press conferenceheld at the People’s Centre on Saturday, 26 June 2010:The people of the Gambia are facing the most decisive period of ourhistory. They are at a cross roads. The moment of decision is justaround the corner. In 2011 they will have the power to determine whowill manage the affairs of the country. They have the option to give afresh mandate to the person in office or elect an alternative leader from the ranks of the opposition. The voter’s card is an instrument forputting, maintaining or removing a representative in office. What thevoter thinks should be the concern of those who wish to seek theirvotes to become public trustees. What the political parties andpersonalities think should be the concern of every voter. Winning orlosing an election could be determined by the vote of a single voter.Hence each vote is significant enough to determine who or who will notbe the president of a country or a representative at a particularlevel. Each voter is as significant as the person who is electedthrough the combined votes to preside over the affairs of a Nation. Thebegotten leader cannot be more important than the voter who makes himor her a leader. Power therefore belongs to the voters. It is onlyentrusted to leaders to serve the interest of the people. Once thatpower is abused trust is broken and the people have the authority todemand for or take back their power and entrust it to any one who couldearn their trust. The challenge of political leadership is how to earnthe trust and confidence of the voters. This is the challenge that allpolitical parties and leaders must face. They cannot survive withoutbeing equal to the challenge. This is why political parties hold congresses and issue Press Releasesfor people to have the information they need to decide which party andleaders could best serve their interest.2010 is the year of Congressesand demand by the grass roots for Internal Party Democracy in theGambia. Two Opposition parties, PDOIS and the UDP have held theirCongresses. The rest are expected to hold their own in due course. Whatdoes the future hold for the electorate is of fundamental importance?This is why PDOIS sees the need to clear some doubts and help the voterto know where we are to go from here.PDOIS aims to reiterate again that it could function as a normal partywithin a multi party system that seeks the mandate of the people on thebasis of its principles, policies, programmes and practices. Few peoplewould disagree that PDOIS has a leadership that has the knowledge andhonesty and is capable of making the supreme sacrifice necessary topromote the liberty and prosperity of the Gambian people. PDOIS ishowever realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet toreach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote onthe basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices.PDOIS is also conscious that the creation of a genuine multi partysystem that allows free flow of divergent views on the media willenable PDOIS to participate in battle to win the hearts and minds ofthe people and contest for votes on the basis of its principlespolicies and programmes. PDOIS has always been convinced that if coupmakers could concede to a two year time table in order to restore aconstitutional and electoral system which promotes self perpetuatingrule the opposition forces could also agree to a transition programmeto build a genuine multi party system founded on a Genuine RepublicanConstitution and a free and fair voting system that would give rise tothe undiluted choice of the people. Hence PDOIS favours the creation of a transitional administrationafter the APRC government that would last for a period of 2 to 5 years.The PDOIS Congress has mandated the Central Committee to mandate SidiaJatta, NADD National Assembly Member, to be responsible for inter partyrelations. All those who wish to discuss relation between politicalparties should contact Sidia Jatta.PDOIS is interested in ensuring that the sovereign Gambian people takefull charge of their destiny by 2011.PDOIS is conscious of the fact that during all the nominations forPresidential elections since 1997, no Presidential Candidate has everhad one’s nomination forms signed by more than 20,000 people. Thisconfirms that no party in the Gambia has more than 20,000 card carryingmembers. This means that most of the 670,336 registered voters are notmembers of political parties. This is why they shift their politicalloyalties from one political party to another with relative ease. Thereare no ideological blocs among the electorate. The country has neverhad the opportunity to have a citizenry who vote on the basis of theprinciples, policies, programmes and practices of parties. This is whythe country needs a new start that will enable all political parties tohave a level ground to contest free and fair elections. At the momentthe ground is not level or plain and each opposition party will have anuphill battle to wage to win an elections. This is why PDOIS is of theview that a platform should be created that will enable the Gambianelectorate to come together to vote for the change we want and need, inorder to build the genuine democratic system, that ensures that theirconsent will determine their manner of government.This is why the PDOIS Congress of 24th April 2010 has passed aresolution which imposes on the PDOIS leadership the decision topromote the selection of an opposition Presidential Candidate through aprimary. In short, all those who wish to stand against the APRCcandidate, be they members of political parties or independentpersonalities, would accept to face each other at a primary and wouldmutually vow to support the single candidature of the winner. Thewinner will also agree to administer a transitional Cabinet for aperiod of two to five years and build the instruments, institutions andculture of democracy, rights and justice that would culminate in thecreation of an open and free society that would allow a genuine multiparty system to thrive. The winner will not carry out any witch huntingof members of the past and present administration but would allow thecourts to function and grievances be pursued through the courts oralternative dispute resolution mechanisms. All institutions, private orpublic which are legally established will be protected throughout thetransition. Cabinet would be constituted through consultation with allstakeholders This is what Agenda 2011 is all about.PDOIS’ Congress called on all parties to hold Congresses and considerwhat is offered by agenda 2011 so that all parties will utilise theirown platform to promote the determination of an opposition Candidatethrough a primary and prepare themselves for future multiparty contestafter the transition.The Central Committee of PDOIS takes this opportunity to reiteratePDOIS’ stand. It wants its supporters in particular and all thoseGambian people who value their sovereignty to know that the onlytransformation that is possible in 2011 is one that could attract thesupport of the 405,932000 voters who did not vote for President Jammehin 2006.and the 542,o55 voters who did not vote for the opposition Most of these people are likely to become involved if they know thatthey are going to be mandated to select a candidate who will accept toserve for one term to put a genuine multiparty system in place andleave office like Nelson Mandela. As far as PDOIS is concerned, thistransitional Candidate will not have to be a PDOIS leader. He or shecould originate from another party or civil society. He or She could beany body selected by the people through a primary.Secondly, the PDOIS Congress resolves that PDOIS maintains its relationwith NADD until the next Presidential and National Assembly elections.Sidia Jatta has started consultation with our other partner in NADD.They had agreed to wait for the outcome of the UDP Congress to completetheir discussion. PDOIS anticipates that its partner in NADD would holda Congress and embrace Agenda 2011 so that NADD would also embraceAgenda 2011. Notwithstanding the Central Committee has resolved to holda PDOIS rally in support of Agenda 2011 on the 31st of July 2010 atLatriKunda Yerri Nganya, adjacent to the mosque where PDOIS held itsfirst rally in 1986. PDOIS DISAGREMENT WITH UDP AND NRPPDOIS wrote to UDP before its Congress to indicate to them that theparty was waiting for the resolution of the UDP Congress on inter partyunity in order to know what form of Alliance could be forged for2011. The UDP leader, in his address to the Congress indicated that theregistration of NADD was a disaster. PDOIS would want its supporters inparticular and all those interested in Gambian politics in general toknow that the registration of NADD was Constitutional requirement. Nocandidate could contest under NADD without its registration as apolitical party. PDOIS advances a challenge to any leader who disagreeswith this view. Hence those who did not support the registration ofNADD should not have signed the Memorandum of Understandingestablishing NADD. In short , under the strategic objectives of the Memorandum, Parties“agreed to put together resources within the framework of the Allianceto contest the forthcoming Presidential, National Assembly and Councilelections” It adds that “The selection of the candidate of theAlliance for the Presidential, National Assembly and Council electionsshall be done by consensus, provided that in the event of an impasseselection shall be done by primary election restricted to partydelegates, on the basis of equal number of delegates, comprising theChairman, Chairwoman and youth leader of each party from each villageor ward in a constituency”In terms of the tenure of office, the memorandum states that “Theinterim President of the Republic under the Alliance shall serve forone five year term of office only. He/she shall vacate his or her seatat the end of his or her term of office and shall neither seek norsupport the candidature of any other person for the ensuingpresidential elections.A constitutional provision shall be put in place under the Alliancethat would limit the number of terms a person could occupy the officeof president of the Republic to two.” Hence all parties which signedthe Memorandum agreed to put up Candidates under a NADD ticket. This isincontrovertible. Now one may ask: Could a candidate stand on a NADDticket without NADD being registered as a Party? The answer is in thenegative. It is obvious to any one who has read section 60 of theConstitution that we could not put up Candidates under NADD until NADDwas registered as a party. It reads “ No association , other than apolitical party registered under or pursuant of an Act of the NationalAssembly, shall sponsor Candidates in public elections” NADD had to beregistered. Did we have to lose National Assembly seats because of theRegistration? The answer is in the Negative.Section 91 subsection 1 d of the Constitution states that“a member of the National Assembly shall vacate his or her seat in theNational Assembly-if he or she ceases to be a member of the politicalparty of which he or she was a member at the time of his or herelection;provided that nothing in this paragraph shall appy on a merger ofpolitical parties at the national level where such a merger isauthorised by the Constitution of the parties concerned.”The simple and elementary truth is that all parties that had agreed toput up Candidates under NADD had merged into NADD. The IEC alsoconceived NADD as an Umbrella party, a merger. They argued their casein that regard and even told the court that they had drafted the rulesgoverning Alliances. The disaster is that NADD’S Counsels did not usemerger of parties as a defence to save National Assembly seats. Theregistration of NADD was not an error. The only legal advice that waslegitimate was to tell parties that they were creating a merger bysigning the memorandum of understanding. Hence those who did not wanta merger should not have signed. The error was to fail to get everyparty to sign to indicate in black and white that they conceived NADDas an umbrella Party or merger or resin from NADD before the courtcase. No room would have been left for historical excuses that are soevident after NADD’s disintegration.Secondly, in his address to the UDP Congress the NRP leader claimedthat he left NADD because other parties did not believe in hisprinciple of allowing the party with the majority to lead. This claimis incorrect.The NRP signed a memorandum which indicated that the selection ofCandidates would be done through a unanimous vote of executive membersor a primary. It goes without saying that during the first attempt toselect a candidate in accordance with the principle of unanimity, itis Dulo Bah, the representative of the NRP who nominated arepresentative of the PPP and Pa Manneh , a representative of NDAM whoseconded the nomination of the representative of the PPP. Thiscompelled UDP and PDOIS representatives to make their own nominationsand thereby created an impasse. It was the Coordinator who explainedthat the Executive Committee only had the power to select a candidateif their decision is unanimous, otherwise election would have to takeplace in the form of a primary to enable the people to select the flagbearer. At no time did the NRP leader denounce Dulo Bah and state aparty position for the selection of the flagbearer.Infact when thedelegates met to try to make a second attempt to reach unanimity byestablishing some criteria to guide the nomination process the NRPleader never advocated for the selection a majority party leader as acriterion. Through out the history of NADD, the NRP leader had neverproposed for an Amendment of the memorandum to incorporate what hecalled his principle. Such attempts to rewrite history only underminemutual trust between opposition leaders fans polemics and drawsattention away from the ruling party and focus it on the squabblesamong the opposition. PDOIS hopes that leaders would realise that anyrefusal to accept the facts will push us to propagate fiction whichwill not lead us to draw appropriate lessons to move forward.ConclusionTo conclude PDOIS would want the people to recall that Gambia has beenled by 2 Heads of state for the past 45 years. In the next 15 yearsthose who were born in 1965 will be 60 years.It is clear that unless webreak the current trend of self perpetuating rule two heads of statewill lead the Gambia for 60 years.As we face another election cycle it is the duty of every sovereignGambianwho is 18 years old and above to reflect on the state of the Gambiaafter 45 years of Nationhood and ask whether this is the same Gambia,with its growing poverty, redundancies, growth of drug lords andcontraction of liberty that should continue to be up to the year 2020and beyond. It is now time for each Gambian to sit and reflect on thetype of Gambia one wants to be a citizen of and the role one is to playin shaping the destiny of one’s country and people. This is thechallenge of 2011.Are we up to the challenge. History the keen recorderof events has its eyes and ears open. The future will tell the story.Our children and children’s children will be the judge.The EndIssued by The Central Committee of PDOISDelivered by Halifa Sallah – Spokesperson of PDOIS ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ Tounsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-LWeb interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html ToSearch in the Gambia-L archives, go to:http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contactthe List Management, please send an e-mail to:[log in to unmask]¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ Tounsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-LWeb interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html ToSearch in the Gambia-L archives, go to:http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contactthe List Management, please send an e-mail to:[log in to unmask]¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤--Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and thedifference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeedsigns for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ranwww.suntoumana.blogspot.com¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ Tounsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-LWeb interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html ToSearch in the Gambia-L archives, go to:http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contactthe List Management, please send an e-mail to:[log in to unmask]¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ Tounsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-LWeb interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html ToSearch in the Gambia-L archives, go to:http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contactthe List Management, please send an e-mail to:[log in to unmask]¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ Tounsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-LWeb interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html ToSearch in the Gambia-L archives, go to:http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contactthe List Management, please send an e-mail to:[log in to unmask]¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ Tounsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-LWeb interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.htmlTo Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to:http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contactthe List Management, please send an e-mail to:[log in to unmask]¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤Tounsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-LWeb interfaceat: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.htmlTo Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to:http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-lTo contactthe List Management, please send an e-mailto:[log in to unmask]¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Webinterfaceat: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.htmlTo Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-lTo 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 interfaceat: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.htmlTo Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-lTo 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 interfaceat: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.htmlTo Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-lTo 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 interfaceat: 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-lTo 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] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
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