Again, Ramadan Mubarak, and can I assume that I have your forgiveness on this important month of prayers and forgiveness. Now, bringing STGDP into the mix and resorting to name calling will not really give us what we want. It is a given that we all want the same thing: to bring an end to Jammeh's regime and replace him with a system that will help the democratic space. Of course, I hope you understand that STGDP, Musa Jeng and most reasonable people that have any inkling of the political challenge we have in our country will not mind to see UDP to win the up coming elections or any of the the opposition parties for that matter.
Most of us who have been in the business of following Gambian politics, or have participated in the process up to this time, are somewhat convinced that a coaltion of parties is required if we are going to have any chance against Jammeh. The challenge is, and has always been how do we achieve that? I have known you for a while now, regurgitating your famous arguments - conventional and how they are done in other places. I have no doubt you have convinced yourself with that, but remember for us to be successful in bringing everyone on board you have to be able to convince all of us. For starters, I do not think calling us names, especially the poltical parties is a smart way, but again, maybe you are nto interested in defeating Jammeh 2011 moreso than having your party in the state house. I can safely tell you that STGDP is interested in defeating Jammeh, nto because we belong to a particular party or just do not like Jammeh, but we are much more interested in the building blocs of democracy and are convinced that Jammeh will not give us that.
Daffeh, let us be clear with one thing, as a reminder to all of us: the need for a united front. People in the know that are not emotionally wired to their parties like you, understand that Gambians generally want to vote against Jammeh and all they need is a promising and credible framework that they think can get it done. It is not really about the numbers that party A brings to the table, or party B or Party C, but really to create the US against him scenerio, and run a ferocious campaigh against Jammeh. This election cannot even be about what policy or programs the oppsotion will be putting forward, but should focus on making it about Jammeh and how he has destroyed our country. Reminding Gambians all through the campaign that they have the power to bring an end to their fears, bring an end to the economic monopoly by one individual and restore rule of law. Just having UDP, PDOIS or NRP alone making that argument is not going to do it, and I cannot give up on the idea that there is a possibility, a chance that all the parties will eventually come to their senses give us the opportunity to support financially and vote to bring an end to our nightmare.
Now, I happen to be part of STGDP and as you unfairly lambasted us, suffering from naiivity, stupidity and of course those nice queen's English adjectives that you guys are known for, but If i were the leader of the UDP - below are some points I would like to share with you:
a. As the leader of the UDP, I will speak to the entire Gambian nation and tell them why under my leadership we will be able to salvage our country from tyranny. I will go on to tell them that I am ready, irresspective of what opposition party you belong to, but to join me and together we will take our country back. I will highlight the coalition frame work that I am absolutely convince will give us victory, and how this framwork will benefit all parties and the entire Gambian nation. I will go further to tell them the kind of government that I will spearhead and give them the road map how our country will be transform and usher in a new day to the entire Gambian nation.
Brother Daffeh, at this curcial juncture of our history, what we need is a transformative leader of an entire people, and not a narrow party leader focus on partisan politics. We will get there eventually, but for now we need Ousainou, Halifa, Hamat or any other Gambian serious about leading all of us to step up to the plate.
Thank you
From: "UDP United Kingdom" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Friday, August 12, 2011 8:20:00 AM
Subject: Re: [G_L] PDOIS Central Commitee statement On United Opposition. The Long Road To
Musa, this is classical you exhibiting yet again, the true virtues of the STGDP; misguided, insulate, disingenuous and naïve.
There is no need for clarification here as no one is confusing the two. i.e. (1) negotiation is the public space and (2) putting out a coalition proposal in the public space. We are saying both of them are stupid ideas which the UDP will not entertain for they will serve no purpose other than further polarisation and disunity in the opposition camp. Thus, if you expect a UDP leadership in such a stupid enterprise, then I can assure you that you will forever remain disappointed.
Besides, the approach being advocated by Halifa Sallah is not the conventional way of negotiating or building a coalition. I live in Europe where coalitions are a prominent feature of national politics. I have seen how British Coalition government was been negotiated with Chris Hunhe and Danny Alexandra (Liberal Democrats) on one hand and George Osborne and Oliver Letwin (Tories) on the other, pushing their way through media corridors, saying every little and nothing about their proposals, and locking themselves up in the Cabinet Office for substantive talks. It was the same approach that was followed in Italy and other countries. In a nutshell, this is the way coalitions are built on planet Earth. If you disagree with me, then I challenge you to cite one example in which Halifa’s approach was adopted or followed. I think people like can do this process a great favour if you stop feeding or giving comfort to Halifa Sallah’s silly intransigence and arrogance.
The Gambian people will not be voting on the basis of party proposals for coalition but their programmes and policies on issues that affect their daily lives such as the economy, better governance, education etc. etc. and I am happy to state that the UDP already has its programmes and policies in the public space.
When you described the UDP as a potential party to lead the opposition, I hope you do not mean that in the context of the NADD arrangement and that would amount to wishful thinking.
Regards
Daffeh
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.htmlSuntou/Daffeh:
Gentlemen, Ramadan Mubarak to all of you and your entire family - God knows I need forgiveness from both of you, but of course Daffeh needs one from me.(laugh) As we are few months away from the elections, it is sad that we are still busy dancing around the impasse. There is a need for a clarification that no one is asking for a public negotiation, but rather a detailed package/proposal to the idea of a coalition as a way to bring an end to the APRC=Jammeh. It is not out of order to expect from the UDP, a potential party to lead the opposition, to craft a detailed proposal, highlighting the kind of coalition that they believe will bring Gambians in their thousands to vote against Jammeh, and why it is in the interest of all Gambians to buy into it. In addition, it is also reasonable to expect the UDP to highlight the governing aspect after Jammeh is removed from power. Forget about selling it only to political parties, but come out to sell it to the entire Gambian nation, and invite political parties and civic groups to a meeting to deliberate on the issues raised. What we need is leadership, and not the pss pss pss, let us have it in private kind of deal. UDP needs to come out and lead.
Thank you
Musa JEng
From: "suntou touray" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 11:45:18 AM
Subject: Re: [G_L] PDOIS Central Commitee statement On United Opposition. The Long Road ToLayeYou have ably dealt with every aspect of the press statement. In fact, there are indications that the opposition leaders will be meeting shortly. I am wondering whether this is an affront to derail that, because, why would it be necessary to say, each party must bring their idea to the Gambian media for debate before any UNITED Front is accepted?I am also baffled as to why, the notion persist that, no party or individuals have the ability to put together a document for coalition building?However, as far as I know, the UDP's position is for the party leaders, who are the people the Gambian voter wish to follow, sit and face each other EYE BALL TO EYE BALL and talk frankly about breaching the gap. No amount of media debate will achieve that.Beside, all is aware of the role the media plays in creating and fermenting the breakdown in NADD. Why should a media exchange of ideas be even suggested now, in this late stage?Thanks Laye for the food for thought. All the opposition leaders must now realise that, Gambians will not accept any excuses. They should all swim or sink together. Evidently, Gambians across the country are fed up, but are the opposition leaders fed up or are they still all seeing this as a battle for personality?SuntouOn Tue, Aug 9, 2011 at 2:50 PM, Laye Jallow <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
LJD, Suntu and others:
If I may; I have a different problem with the message entailed in this communique from the PDOIS Central Committee in that it seems to be an act of a proverbial throwing back the hot potato at us - the voters. If PDOIS acknowledges "the increase in the number of people who seek clarification on the way forward for building a United Front for the 24 November Presidential Polls in the Gambia" isn't that a compelling enough reason to do what it must to create the conducive environment for fruitful talks to that effect? Wouldn't that be a good enough reason to "focus on the task of building a United Front rather than pontificate on the effects of a failure" as they put it? I am baffled to say the least by the attempt at throwing back the responsibility of creating a united front to citizen voters whose only control over the actions of the party leaders is through their votes. Why on earth would anyone expect them to come out in thousands in support of a united front that is not there in the first place? Are we not putting the cart before the horse? In other words PDOIS is saying that until they see the numbers out at the rallies they - PDOIS alone - organize, they will not make further effort into a united front. Can someone tell me I am reading this wrong, please!
"Furthermore as of 3rd September 2011, PDOIS will hold major rallies for a period of two weeks to determine the level of public support for a United Front. These meetings must be supported massively by those who support the establishment of a United Front to be deemed successful and convincing. They must be bigger than the artificial crowd the APRC is drawing during the official tour of the President to prove that the opposition should be taken seriously and that we are serious about establishing a United Front. This is the challenge PDOIS is putting out to the voters. People should put their efforts where their hearts are if we are to convince each other that we could move together to be the architects of a new Gambia. We have only ourselves to blame if we fail to join others and build a respectable crowd that could show that we are serious about building a United Front for the election."
Two things: first, I do not like the commanding tone of this paragraph – I do not like the use of the word “MUST” - in that it seeks to hold voters at ransom - turn up in thousands or else we will not go any further with this. Why would PDOIS throw out a “challenge” to voters to prove to them they are serious about a united front? Am baffled. It is elementary politics to understand that you don’t get votes by demanding from voters without giving them the hope and or clue as to what they will get in return. Gambian voters are not a different breed to be stewarded around for a party’s internal decision making. If PDOIS wants to decide whether to join a united front or not, they need not drag the voters into that decision especially when they have already acknowledged "the increase in the number of people who seek clarification on the way forward for building a United Front….”
Second is that the question to ask of PDOIS is whether without a united front they will be able to fill up the independence stadium as they seem to demand herein? Do they expect people to turn up to their rallies without solid evidence - as in lining up ALL opposition leaders - that there is going to be a united front. It is safe to assure PDOIS that if they announce that they will be organizing a rally with ALL opposition leaders lined up - PDOIS, UDP, NRP, etc. or just PDOIS and UDP - thousands will flock to the scene and I don't have a doubt about that happening. They did it at the launch of NADD in 2006. The hope was there and people showed up in thousands! It is wrong to hold us at ransom for your own internal party decisions. Furthermore, it has been made clear to PDOIS through STGDP that the financial support will be forthcoming when folks see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. This was the case in 2006 and it is no different now. The simple of it is that if you want the people behind you; give them the reason to do so. You cannot ask people to show up for you to convince yourself that it is worth trying to unite. PDOIS and all the other opposition parties need to understand that a united front will do better in getting the numbers lined up not the other way round. How many times and in how many ways do we have to say this?
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