Reminder Public Notice: Teleconference
Vision: ‘A Democratic Republic of
The Gambia’
A reminder that a Teleconference will be held:
Saturday
July 20, 2013
5:00-7:00 pm EST
Conference Call # and Code: (605) 475-5900 & 416
565 6#
Mission: Creation of Requisite Human Capacity capable of
living a life of Democracy
Tasks:
· The Problem and its Social Complexities
· The Environment – Our
Socio-Cultures/Traditions/Economics/Local Politics, Sub-Regional and Regional Political
Realities and the State of Global Enthusiasm for Democracy, Human Rights and
Good Governance
· Our Strengths, Weakness, Threats and Opportunities
· Strategy Goals/Objectives
· Programs/Activities Development
· Funding/Fund Raising
· Institutional/Organizational Development
· Citizen Organization/Mobilization
· AOB (Any Other Business)
It’s not likely to cover all these in one meeting nor
are we even likely to agree on anything.
The idea is to share our initial thoughts that could/would be taking up
by some working teams on identified areas that will share/report their work at
subsequent meetings until we produce ‘A Comprehensive National Vision’ for
democracy.
We recognized other undertakings past and present, especially
years of home-based political opposition. Having said that we also think the
problem has long outgrown organizing for the next elections. It is therefore
our conviction that a new holistic approach is the best option anchored on ‘The
Creation of The Requisite Human Capacity’ capable of living a life
of democracy’. Otherwise no amount of
cosmetic changes of leaders will earn us democracy. All that will do is one’s
democracy is another’s dictatorship. Examples are Jawara’s and Yahya’s
administrations. It’s however important to divorce our quest for a democratic
republic of the Gambia from an individual and/or group of individuals political
ambitions. Otherwise we find our selves entangled in weeds too thick to get out
and/or be perceived a tool for that individual. Perceptions are not necessarily
truth/reality but very important to manage in politics in order to succeed.
These can be accomplish in phases of interconnected but
concrete actions by The People of The Gambia counting on the moral and
financial support of Democratic People of The International Community.
Ideally one or all the political parties could be the
host/vehicle of this approach. That is still a good possibility but it will
require significant institutional rearrangement and as well changes from the
traditional canvassing of votes.
Regardless of the eventual vehicle, those of us in the diaspora will
have a significant backup role without which it will not work. In short the
process is a ‘conveyor-belt’ linked – each piece connects to the next and any
missing piece will the stall the belt.
In addition it is self-evident that this struggle will
be won or lost in Banjul and not in USA/Europe and/or elsewhere for that
matter. Suffice to state that we need ‘A SMART (specific, measurable,
attainable, realistic and time bound) Gambian Plan’ of how we will
go to Banjul and work in Banjul no matter what. Yahya will neither evaporate in
thin air nor will he stop what he does because there is lots of noise in USA
and/or Europe. Nor will there be an out of blue international invention without
us making a coherent case. He (Yahya) will only yield when he realize the noise
is for real and is coming homing.
We’ve a duty and responsibility to answer the call of our
country! A call larger than the caller! A call that can only fail because we
didn’t show up. Compatriots we have
everything to defeat evil on our homeland, the few that we don’t can be found
and access through our hard work. Nothing is impossible or impractical. Our
fears and inabilities to embarrass change is our only limitation. Take a leap
to overcome your fears and explore what sometimes seems impossible. Remember,
man landed on the moon before you and I were born – just fantasy the first
thought of that mission. That’s how far we can go if we work on it.
Please let me those of you in Banjul/Senegal and would
need phone expense support. We can make arrangements for phone cards.
God Bless The Gambia!
Involvement, Comments, Questions, Contributions
Burama FL Jammeh
810 844 6040/810 772 1628