UDP slams denial of permit to hold political rally <http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/udp-slams-denial-of-permit-to-hold-political-rally#map> Africa <http://thepoint.gm/africa/news> » Gambia <http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/news> Monday, September 01, 2014 UDP leader Ousainou Darboe and members of the party executive Sunday called a press conference to announce that the police denied the country’s leading opposition party a permit to hold a political rally at Cedar Club Latrikunda German. The rally was to celebrate UDP’s 18th anniversary, following the launching of the opposition party in The Gambia on 23 August 1996. 23 August 1996, said Lawyer Darboe, is “a very significant day in the life of the United Democratic Party; in the life of modern-day Gambia. It is a day on which Gambians who cared for their country got together to put up resistance to impunity; unlawful behavior of the military; to protest against the overthrow of the democratically elected government; and, it was a day when Gambians were given renewed hope that their children and grand children will live in a decent society. The rally was to be held to celebrate and salute those Gambians who have dedicated their lives to the struggle for political pluralism.” The UDP, lawyer Darboe wants the public to know, is being frustrated in its attempts to hold a political rally, and that it would not allow the opposition party’s political rights to be denied. Speaking to reporters, Lawyer Darboe said 2016 is a crucial year in the country, a year in which elections will be held. That the UDP, as a political party, has started working towards 2016. He said the party had planned a rally for the 9th of August, and the application for use of a public address system at the rally was submitted to the police on 19th July 2014. However, the police asked the UDP youth wing leader Ebrima Sandeng to pick up their letter on 7th of August. The UDP executive then decided that the period between 7 and 9 August was not enough time to publicise and hold the rally, which was to be held at Ebony Junction in Serrekunda Central. The UDP submitted another application letter dated 11th August “to celebrate the 18th anniversary of the founding of the United Democratic Party” on 23 August 2014 at the same venue. “Our application was not rejected,” Darboe said, but the police asked that the rally be held at “a different venue.” He added that the police not only responded just a few days before the event; but then stated in their letter – copy of which was made available to reporters at the press conference - that “due to the rainy season and the conditions of the roads linking to the main road, the diversion of the traffic will cause difficulties to motorists and pedestrians, if the rally is held at Ebony, Serrekunda Central.” When this reason was given by the police, the UDP leader wrote to the Inspector General of Police, according to a letter dated 21st August – a copy of which was made available to the reporters – and complained about the police “handling of our applications for use of Public Address System at our rallies.” He said he pointed out that the police have not been responding in good time to make it possible to organize these rallies. “In any event, the UDP and other parties have held rallies at this particular venue in past rainy seasons, and the conditions of the roads linking to the main road have not changed. Pedestrians and mororists never experienced any difficulty…” Lawyer Darboe described the reason given by the police as not acceptable, that it was not a “genuine” explanation, adding that the police showed a lack of “good faith”, when they delivered their reply at around 5 pm on 20th August – to the UDP’s application to hold their rally on 23 August. He further described the police’s reaction as “a ploy to stop us organizing the rally”, and that the UDP wrote back to them that the party will now hold the rally at Cedar Club Latrikunda German on 30 August. Then on Thursday 28th August, again at around 5:30 PM, according to the opposition leader, the UDP received a letter from the IGP stating: “Please be informed that your request is not granted due to security reasons.” The UDP called the reason given by the police “a sham” and wondered what security reasons will require opposition political parties not to hold rallies in the country. The UDP is not an organ that would jeopardize the country’s security. The opposition party has been at the forefront of ensuring that peace and stability in The Gambia is not put in jeopardy, he went on. According to lawyer Darboe, if anybody poses a security threat, it has been APRC supporters who have been charged with treason. Darboe went on to declare that as regards the denial of a permit to hold the rally planned, the UDP holds deputy IGP Ousman Gibba responsible. Asked how this development reflects on the national count down to the 2016 elections, Darboe said it shows the continuing stifling of the political opposition; that it manifests a poor democratic environment in which political parties are not allowed to operate freely. He said considering that the opposition parties do not have access to the public media, to deny them permits to hold political rallies is tantamount to an attempt to “undermine the constitution, and to sow seeds of discontent in the country.” Source: *Picture: Lawyer Ousainou Darboe* On Monday, 1 September 2014, Kejau Touray <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > The UDP Stalwarts advocating for yet another boycott without civil > disobedience, will it work, what has really changed since the last boycott? > > > Please read more here: > > http://gambiadaily.co.uk/12-election-boycotts-don-t-work > > > Stop me if this sounds familiar. In the first round of a prominent > presidential election wracked by accusations of fraud, > [image: The United Democratic Party is a political party in the Gambia, > founded in 1996 by the human rights lawyer Ousainou Darboe. As a candidate > in the presidential election of 18 October 2001, he came second with 32.6% > of the popular vote; he took second place again in the 22 September 2006 > presidential election with 26.7% of the vote. The 17 January 2002 > parliamentary election was boycotted by the party.] > a controversial incumbent receives just less than 50 percent of the vote, > leading to a runoff. The opposition candidate, believing that the problems > from the first round had not been adequately addressed, decided to withdraw > from the runoff, calling it a farce. As a result, the incumbent retained > power, but in the words of the challenger, "the president can declare > himself the winner, but his government will lack credibility and > legitimacy." > > Clearly, that last quote is from Abdullah Abdullah, who suddenly withdrew > from the Afghan presidential race last weekend, right? Wrong. The speaker > was Alejandro Toledo, referring to the Peruvian elections of 2000, after > his withdrawal allowed incumbent Alberto Fujimori to be easily re-elected > for a third term. But that’s not the end of the story. Toledo did not go > quietly into the night, instead leading a massive civil opposition > movement, leading to Fujimori’s resignation six months later on allegations > of fraud and corruption. Toledo then defeated Alan Garcia in a 2001 > election and became president. > > > > > > > > > > > Read more here... http://gambiadaily.co.uk/12-election-boycotts-don-t-work > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2014 16:43:45 -0500 > From: [log in to unmask] > <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml',[log in to unmask]);> > Subject: Re: Obituary --Gainako's Demba Baldeh Lost His Mother > To: [log in to unmask] > <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml',[log in to unmask]);> > > Sad news indeed. Our deepest condolences to Demba and the entire Gainako > family. May her soul rest in perfect peace. Baba > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Aug 31, 2014, at 4:11 PM, "Pa. Saikou Kujabi" < > [log in to unmask] > <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml',[log in to unmask]);>> wrote: > > My deepest condolences to Demba, the Baldeh family, and the entire Gainako > team for the lost. May Allah protect her from the torment of the grave, and > grant her a "Jannatul Firdaus". Ameen. > > Pa. S. Kujabi. > > > On Sunday, August 31, 2014 1:55 PM, Halima Sukuna < > [log in to unmask] > <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml',[log in to unmask]);>> > wrote: > > > Demba, > > Please accept my condolences and that of my children on the loss of your > sweet Mother. It is through you that I have an idea of the extraordinary > person she must have been and she blessed all of us through the lessons and > love that she poured into you and you, inturn, pour into your own family > and the greater community. > > May you dear Mom rest in absolute peace Demba, > > Chris, Hassan, Hadam and Sadiyah > > > On Sunday, August 31, 2014 9:20 AM, Malanding Jaiteh <[log in to unmask] > <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml',[log in to unmask]);>> wrote: > > > Our condolences to Demba and family. > > > Malanding Jaiteh > > -------- Original message -------- > From: Y Jallow > Date:30/08/2014 22:54 (GMT-05:00) > To: [log in to unmask] > <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml',[log in to unmask]);> > Subject: [G_L] Obituary --Gainako's Demba Baldeh Lost His Mother > > Obituary -Gainako's Demba Baldeh Lost His Mother > > Comrades - > > "Every soul shall taste of death ...." (Al Quran, Surah 3 - Al-Emran, > Verse 185). > > The sad news is flying on the wings of the passing wind. Gainako's vibrant > activist, Demba Baldeh, lost the mother (Daa-Kumba Sowe) in the Gambia > today August 30th 2014. The sad news is extended to all our readers, > friends, families and the large family of communities. The Late Daa-Kumba > is survived by many grandchildren, daughters, and sons; the most outspoken, > Demba Baldeh, is no stranger to both Gambia's political sphere and the > large media fraternity. > > On behalf of the large Gainako family, we are quite saddened by the sad > news and we extend our heartfelt condolences as we enter into a period of > mourning to pay our last respect. We ask you all to join us in solemn > prayers to ask God (Allah Rahmaan) to elevate the deceased and all those of > ours that passed to the heights of heaven (Jannatul-na'eem) and to give the > family the strength to move on. > > A Poem: Mother in memory! > > Mother -we called and we heard no answer > we felt your hands and feet > we felt your beautiful forehead > we now know the wings of the wind carries the sad news > we are preceded by the colds hands of death > that Daa-Kumba Sowe of beloved memory is gone. > > Mother -your one time smile struck us hard > we are now deafened to our ears > blinded to our eyes > crippled to our feet > and mourning with our warm hearts > all because of your sudden passing. > > Rest in peace Daa-Kumba and till again when we see, may the lord give you > the best of receptions. > > -Sent on behalf of entire Team Gainako. > > King regards, > Yero. > > "There is no god but Allah; & Muhammad (SAW) is His messenger" > > Kind Regards, > Yero. > > いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい 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] > <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml',[log in to unmask]);> > いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい > いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい 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] > <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml',[log in to unmask]);> > いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい > > > いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい 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] > <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml',[log in to unmask]);> > いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい > > > いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい 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] > <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml',[log in to unmask]);> > いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい > > ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ 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] > <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml',[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] > <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml',[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] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤