Kejau
Again, context is everything, and if you missed Freedom in the 2-3 weeks before the Raleigh Conference, and in the days since, a lot of context would have escaped you. I listened to Pa
Nderry: on where the locus of leadership should be post-Professor, i.e., Gambia, or the Diaspora; read about Sidia Bayo's views of Raleigh, and his nonsense he prefers an armed struggle when he is sitting in France enjoying himself, and calling himself the leader of a political party; and listened to a programme about Fatou Camara's appointment as State House Director of Press, and what that means for Banka Manneh's central role in the Diaspora opposition to Professor Jammeh. Just because Banka is married to the biological sibling of Fatou Camara is nowhere near enough to assign unreliability to him. I heard Pa Nderry live and direct saying Banka is not to be trusted in the circumstances. As if all these was not enough, Pa Nderry did not even bother to publicise the Raleigh event like other online papers.
In the same period, Pa Nderry went after a fellow online radio/newspaper journalist for 30-40 minutes, if not one hour, castigating him for the alleged offence, among other things, of telling some females "mann maii wajaa", and that Professor "Jammeh is more afraid of me than Pa Nderry". Is this enough to go after people and insult them extensively?
Unless I was mistaken, it was in the same programme that Sillaba Samateh came up for
lurid and unfounded allegations by some lady ostensibly from Ghana.
In addition, I read no write-up of whatever form about the Raleigh Conference by Conference organisers on Freedom. I am yet to read The Raleigh Accord on Freedom even though it is on Kibaaro, Maafanta, Gambia
Echo, Gainako, and Hello Gambia.
I have no reason to slightly doubt the narration of C. Omar Kebbeh for I have figured all these out long before today. We are not cowards, and like Pa Nderry, we have also put our lives on hold to fight against public lawlessness in The Gambia. Those who are close to Pa Nderry professionally must look him in the eyes and tell him to turn his guns away from colleagues in the struggle, especially where there are no public issues of significance at play. I have
no interest in anyone's exclusively private affairs, even if they are public figures, unless where that private matter impacts Gambian public life in some significant way.
Professor Jammeh is reigning roughshod over us because of our cowardice. I am not willing to accept the same mistreatment from Pa Nderry. In his position, and having adopted his attitude before the Raleigh Conference, I would not have gone there.
LJDarbo
Lamin,
I think we should learn to take emotions out of national debates. Pa has a right to support any conference and be critical of any for that matter, even though we wish he supports that conference. Alkali should not have rudely interrupted the interview. Which he seemed to have done because of Pa not actively supporting them initially. We have to learn to be critical and accept criticism if we are to defeat dictatorship and build a more democratic
society.
Respect.
Kejau.
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From: Lamin Darbo <
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[log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [G_L] Raleigh Conference Diary Part One! - VERY SILLY AND CHILDISH PA NDERRY
Kejau
"Much a do about nothing" Kejau?
I suggest you try to understand the
context of this whole saga and not dismiss it as insignificant. You contended "Alkali has been given chances to talk and write ...." You missed the whole point here Kejau! A right to reply can be absolutely meaningless in particular circumstances, and for me the fundamental question is whether a media house should be utilized to harass, intimidate, and pick up baseless fights with people on the same side of the struggle against public lawlessness in The Gambia. Can you fight with someone who has a bomb when all you have is a stick, a cutlass, or even a locally made "kartus" gun? Be careful what you support my friend. We are not dealing with a trivial issue here
LJDarbo
Hi All.
I think this issue is a much a do about nothing. Pa can interview anyone willing to talk to him anywhere and can be critical of anyone anytime. Alkali has been given chances to talk a nd write if he fills the account is erroneous or slandering and can even take legal action to correct it. Freedom of expression and association should be our guiding principles here.
Kejau
Nyang
I think you are missing a bigger point
here honestly. The discussion here in question is bigger than some self-fulfilling
prophecies; it is about bringing folks together. It is about solidifying on the
momentum from Raleigh. As far I can tell, the event in Raleigh was remarkable
and at the same time it is a step in the right direction. We should just steer on the course. For your information I have read every
piece and listened to Pa Nderry on Freedom radio during the conference, after
each broadcast I have more lingering questions than answers seriously. In life
sometimes we just need to swallow our pride and show humility, in this
situation the former suggestion was preferred than the latter.
The British scholar S. Smiles said: "The
fame which is gained today is earned when the evil traits of the people are
exposed, ignoring the noble qualities of all."
Since the planning stage of this event, folks have
alluded that they have invited Pa Nderry for some reason known to Pa he
declined to join. Not sure if you follow the initial discussion or not? Putting
things into perspective, sometime during the conference Pa Nderry show-up acting like
superman. Here is the transcript of what he wrote on Freedom newspaper: “Mr. Darboe was at
the hallway at the time speaking with Freedom Radio’s Pa Nderry M’Bai during
their short break. Mr. Darboe’s brother Yaya Darboe, and a handful of
conference delegates witnessed the fracas. Mr. Conteh confronted Mr. Darboe by
telling him “Ngataa” in Mandingka—meaning let’s go. He persistently asked
Lawyer Darboe to discontinue the interview”. Nyang since you mentioned you
have the right to reserve your opinion, “you are not in such things I quote”. However,
let me tell you this, you are not entitled to the facts. Finally, since you
came to the conclusion that it is “ridiculous” to confer with organizers in
Raleigh or as you mentioned some “Gambians are the funniest in the world” you
should be willing to engage folks in an open and honest discussion on this forum. “You have asked me if I think consulting with the organizers is ought
to happened before the interview”? I will yes based on the circumstances
leading to the interview just read the whole script. Further I understand many folks are part of the
struggle but at the same time our approaches are different. The different
dynamics and approaches will require guidance, leadership, tolerance and be
willing to listen to one another. Nyang the time for posturing is over, time
for self-gratification is over, and time for infighting is over. May Allah
subuhanahu wa’tala bless the Gambia and people of this great Nation Ameen.
Wa Salam
Sariang
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