Disclaimer: I an neither parsing Mr. Darboe words or suggesting Freedom Newspaper online is wrong; hence the need to clear the air. The leader; Mr. Darboe of the United Democratic Party of The Gambia of which I am a founder member and a card carrying member (formerly Assistant Administrative Secretary) needs to clear the air from what is reported on Freedom newspaper Online by Editor and Publisher Mr. Mbai. Mr. Darboe in one of his speeches at the Raleigh Conference did make reference to a meeting between him; Deputy party leader Yaya Jallow and Mr. Hamat Bah of the NRP where Mr. Darboe suggested to Mr. Bah to bring along the NRP and to join the UDP with the understanding that since he Darboe and two other older members of the leadership (Sanneh and Jammeh) are aging Bah could then assume leadership of the reformed Party (UDP/NRP) the 'New UDP'. According to Mr. Mbai, 'he (Mr. Bah) can take over the mantle from him' (Mr. Darboe). I am concern here for two reasons: 1. This is the second time under one year that such issue is being floated in the print media. The first was in the instance of Mr. Mai Fatty of the GMC in the Standard Newspaper and the Party leader Mr. Darboe had to clarify what he said. So the need to clear the air once and for all times, obligates Mr. Darboe to make reference to the Constitution of the Party in terms of succession and that he would abide by that. Mr. Darboe is an astute Lawyer and one who carefully chooses his words; so out of respect for other Party Members myself included, Mr. Darboe Please Clear the Air. As a party member yourself I am not suggesting to take away your right to endorsed whosesoever you prefer under transparent and fair process. We the members of the UDP need to be clear that the process will be seen to be just that; since that augurs well for the standing of the Party- the IDEALS of Democracy, my second point. The United Democratic Party need to be seen to be DIFFERENT from ALL Parties that existed before and after its founding in The Gambia because of the Nature, Circumstance and Experience of its founding. YES INDEED; THOSE WERE VERY DIFFICULT AND TRYING TIMES, BUT WE PREVAILED AND PERSEVERED SO THE UNITED DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS EXISTING TODAY, WE CANNOT FORGET THAT. The convictions and sacrifice of Countless Pioneers and Soldiers of the Cause made the party (some of those belong to the ages) but the ones with us must and should have a say to the positions of leadership of the party. 2. By virtue of the Position of the UDP in the political process of The Gambia it should Lead by example with what is termed in the Culture of Democracy- Internal Democracy. The showcasing of democratic culture within the party organization before GOVERNANCE, call it a nursery bed of the practices and processes before governance. For too often we have seen in African politics and The Gambia is no exception where the politics of patronage takes precedence over Internal Democracy and since Senegal is a reference point Pope Sopi (WADE) comes to mind. In the Way Forward for The Gambia these processes have to be inbuilt within party structures to prevent jammeh type scenario upon assumption of power by any party or individual. Now is the time to address these issues for once power is assumed the often reference cliche ' power corrupts, absolute power.....absolutely'. Let me be clear here and crystal clear; I know Mr. Darboe probably more than most having worked with him on close quarters at very trying times and he would vouch for my respect for him. I also know him to be democratic in his dealings. Notwithstanding the Matters of Politics and Country requires Candor as Mr. Darboe himself alluded to in Raleigh. He also knows me for speaking my mind and my upbringing dictates my respect for all. Farang. ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ 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] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤