The insurgency took place at a time when Gambia was at a crossroads. The Government had just requested over one billion dalasis as supplementary appropriation to the 2014 budgetary allocation of 10.2 billion dalasis. 459 million dalasis went to the Office of President to cover cost such as expenditure on national celebrations amounting to 86 million dalasis; travelling expenses were put at 186 million dalasis; hotel accommodation was put at 96 million.
The above is contained in a statement issued by the opposition People’s Democratic for Organisation, Independence and Socialism. The statement, issued by Halifa Sallah, was made public after reflections on the December 30th insurgency.
Read below the statement verbatim:
The Central Committee of PDOIS has had a briefing on all the shades of opinion expressed by the sovereign Gambian people and members of the international community on the 30th December armed insurrection and has seen the need to put its appraisal across with the hope of influencing national and international public opinion on the way forward for the Gambian people.
History teaches us that people have their diverse interests and aspirations but each situation has its realities, demands, urgencies and possibilities. No aspiration could be realistic if it goes beyond the realm of reality, necessity and possibility. This was why we decided to analyse the circumstances which surrounded the armed attack and indicated with overwhelming thoroughness why the outcome could only be what it was.
We chose not to pass judgment and issue condemnation because of the futility of the exercise. We preferred to analyse, draw lessons and make recommendations on the realistic way forward. It is futile for us to utter condemnation because we were here in 1994 when an unconstitutional takeover of government succeeded. At that time many expressed their support for the coup. Our party leadership was offered two ministerial posts but we turned them down. We indicated that since power belongs to the sovereign people of the Gambia, we are committed to only participate in a government derived from the unalloyed consent of the people. We analysed the factors which gave rise to the 1994 coup and called on the coup makers to respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people, including the rights of political parties to continue to exist. We proposed the convening of a National Conference to prepare the way for the rebirth of a constitutional and democratic order based on national consensus. Many people then accused us of being unrealistic and being idealistic.
In our view, coups are supported by many when they succeed and condemned by many when they fail. Losers are always publicly disowned by many who would have welcomed them as saviours if they had succeeded.
Therefore, we should put condemnation or endorsement aside and ask these simple questions: After 30 years of PPP and 20 years of AFPRC/APRC rule, without power ever being transferred from one democratically elected government to another, should the Gambian people continue to be spectators of history, or should they finally take a stand and become architects of their own free, dignified and prosperous destiny? Should they wait for saviours, or should they become their own saviours? These are fundamental questions which should exercise the minds of every Gambian. Posterity is demanding an urgent answer. Hence the national debate on these questions should begin right now. Postponing it is to pay deaf ears to the demands of destiny.
How to Put the Incident behind Us
The Gambian people are yet to receive any statement from those who took part in the insurgency. By now they should have been able to do a debriefing and give accurate information to the public. What type of government did they intend to form? What was going to be its tenure in office? What instrument did it intend to put in place to govern?
The information we have so far received is from the affidavit signed by Nicholas L Marshall, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the statement issued by the Government of the Gambia.
The two sources have slightly different narrations on the insurrection. According to the narration from Mr. Marshall’s affidavit, which is based on an interview conducted after the arrest of Papa Faal, who has since pleaded guilty and has been granted bail, the insurgents were divided into two operational teams namely; Alpha and Bravo teams. The composition of the teams was not mentioned.The Alpha team was supposed to have attacked from the front of the statehouse, while the Bravo team was supposed to attack from the rear. This team was led by Papa Faal. According to Faal, one of his team members, Musa Sarr, was killed in an attempt to drive a car to break the state house door. Faal claimed that the two teams lost radio communication once the operation started thus causing his team to retreat. He left with the impression that all the members of the Alpha team were killed.
According to the statement issued by the Government of the Gambia, five insurgents launched their attack from the main gate of the state house. They were identified as Former Lt. Colonel Lamin Sanneh, Capt. Njagga Jagne, Baboucarr Lowe, Modou Njie and Landing Sonko. According to them, Sanneh and Jagne were killed, Njie captured and Lowe and Sonko escaped.
The attackers from the rear gate were reported to include Papa Faal, Musa Sarr, Dawda Bojang and Nyass. Papa Faal and Musa Sarr are reported to have escaped, while Dawda and Alhagie Nyass are reported to have been killed.
The FBI report quoted Papa Faal’s narration of the death of Musa Sarr, but the Government’s statement spoke about his escape.
The other names mentioned by the statement of the Government as members of the group, who were stationed at Brufut Heights, are the Interim leader Cherno Njie, Alhagie Barrow, Dawda Bojang and Mustapha Faal who is reported to have deserted the group before the operation was launched. The same Dawda Bojang is reported to have been killed as one of the insurgents who attacked from the rear.
The Duty of the Government
The information in the public space regarding the identity of the people killed lends credibility to the need to conduct coroner’s inquest to confirm the identity of those killed as a result of the insurrection.
PDOIS calls on the Government to conduct a coroner’s inquest to establish the identities of the dead bodies. This should be followed by handing over the bodies to the families concerned for burial.
Needless to say, the key insurgents are known. To enlarge the arrests to include children, brothers and parents of alleged insurgents and to detain them beyond 72 hours amounts to a fishing expedition aimed at achieving nothing but more outcries against violation of fundamental rights and freedoms.
Lesson should be drawn from the experience of the child who was under detention for more than 72 hours despite repeated exposure. The child and another teenager were released after 43 days in detention without trial.
PDOIS would like to draw the attention of the government to section 66 Subsection 1 of the Children’s Act, which states that “it is the duty of the government of the Gambia to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of children.”
Section 5 guarantees that the child should enjoy all the rights enshrined in the constitution including freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention.
In the same vein, it amounts to a cruel and degrading treatment by simply relying on a person’s blood ties or relation with an insurgent to put him or her under arbitrary arrest and detention.
PDOIS calls on the government not to cast its net beyond the waters of Law, reason and justice to hunt down insurgents. Its duty is to govern according to the dictates of the constitution, the law and standard democratic practice.
We call for the release of all those who are detained in connection with the insurgency who are not charged and taken before court within 72 hours before the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Independence.
In the same vein, the legal advisers of the government should conclude whether those who were involved in the insurgency allegedly perpetrated an act of terrorism or a coup attempt, and immediately prefer charges so that there would be no undue delay in leaving the courts to determine guilt or innocence of those charged.
Gambia at a Crossroads
The insurgency took place at a time when Gambia was at a crossroads. The Government had just requested over one billion dalasis as supplementary appropriation to the 2014 budgetary allocation of 10.2 billion dalasis. 459 million dalasis went to the Office of President to cover cost such as expenditure on national celebrations amounting to 86 million dalasis; travelling expenses were put at 186 million dalasis; hotel accommodation was put at 96 million.
This supplementary appropriation came at a time when the domestic debt of the Gambia had risen to astronomical proportions.
Any supplementary appropriation is likely to lead to the growth of the domestic debt which already stands at 16.75 billion dalasis, or 45 percent of GDP.
Revenue shortfalls and expenditure overruns have been a chronic fiscal illness requiring the government to give renewed promises on an annual basis to embark on fiscal discipline but to no avail.
Rise in interest payments to the tune of 1.4 billion dalasis for the first nine months of 2014 conveys a trend towards a debt driven public expenditure programme, which runs counter to the agreements made with the IMF to reduce domestic borrowing as the prime object of fiscal discipline.
Revenue Contraction or Rise in The Tax Burden
Grants have served as a major shock absorber in cushioning the impact of expenditure slippages and have augmented the volume of foreign currency which had immensely contributed to preventing a rapid decline in the value of the currency.
Needless to say, the deadlock between the EU and the government on their political dialogue, the abortion of the trip of the special Rapporteurs of the UN, and the general attitude of the government towards criticisms on the practice of detention without trial and other human rights violations, combine to weaken its capacity to attract more grants.
In the face of dimmer prospects for the requisite donor support, the economic fundamentals are also under threat. Government has recorded a 60 per cent decline in tourist arrivals for 2014/2015. Agricultural output is projected to decline by 15 per cent. The government has acknowledged that total crop production is estimated to be 292,581 metric tons of which Cereal production is estimated at 201,805 tons, representing a drop of 11 percent over last year. Government has acknowledged that compared to the five year average, total crop production has shown a decrease of 6 percent while production of cereals has dropped by 3 percent. Hence self sufficiency in food production remains a blurred vision instead of a realistic prospect and will remain so as long as the current policies persist.
Decline in tourist arrivals and crop production would impact on the foreign exchange earning capacity of the country, reduce the value of the dalasi, increase inflation and threaten the foreign reserves of the country.
It is not a surprise that as at the end of September 2014 the dalasi has depreciated against the dollar by 23.8percent, against the Euro by 17.8 and 22.1 percent against the pound sterling.
The decline in both services and agricultural production, which have been the engines of domestic growth, has given rise to a decline in the growth of GDP to 2 per cent.
High government borrowing has resulted in high interest rates and the crowding out of the private sector. This increase in domestic borrowing is not sustainable.
Hence, the Government has indicated that it would restrict domestic borrowing to 1 percent of GDP as at 31ST December 2015.
This could only be done without increasing taxes, or reducing public expenditure by introducing cost recovery, if public enterprises could pay dividends into the public purse. The absence of a viable public investment policy has crippled many public enterprises and has rendered them incapable of generating dividends to cushion revenue earnings from non tax sources.
Hence, the government may try to cope by increasing taxes, reducing expenditure, or increasing cost recovery for public services.
The IMF has acknowledged the growing imbalances experienced by the Gambian economy, and is considering the possibility of introducing a “Rapid Credit Facility” arrangement under a programme monitored by the institution, so that the government would adopt corrective measures.
PDOIS wants to emphasise that the most the IMF could do is to assist a government to maintain balance of payment viability by restricting borrowing, restrain expenditure on public services, remove subsidies, increase cost recovery for public services,broaden the tax base and raise taxes. This has already started with the removal of subsidies on fuel and the increase in hospital charges. Suffice it to say, all these measures would lead to increase in public hardship. When that happens, one should not focus on the IMFconditions, on the contrary, one should look at the policies of the government which gave birth to monitoring and supervision by a multinational agency.
We want to emphasise that corrective measures could only come when the fundamentals of the economy are altered. PDOIS would ensure that public enterprises are managed to ensure the payment of dividends into the public purse based on management contract arising from objective assessment of their potential, and administrative sanctions would be fully put in place for breach of contract by management that will be free from political interference.
There is no financial logic in allowing Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation investing hundreds of millions to purchase hotels only to lease them. This constitutes an unproductive tying of Capital to a domain which is not viable for public investment.
Furthermore, we will enhance food self sufficiency and agricultural exports by introducing a cooperative bank which will give seeds, fertiliser and appropriate farming implements to family farms so that they would be able to engage in large scale farming for both consumption and for exports. The bank will provide secure and timely financing to ensure purchase of agricultural produce.
In addition to creating the environment for self sustaining families, we will also expand agricultural production to create self sustaining villages by encouraging the establishment of village farms, fishing ponds, eco-tourist sites, etc so that the earnings will be invested to improve village infrastructure.
We will link agricultural production with processing to generate value added goods to expand economic growth and employment. This is what the Programme for accelerated growth and employment failed to do.
PDOIS will create a Corporation that will guide banks to invest in the private sector and map out the incentives and security, which would accrue in case of foreign direct investment by corporations committed to the fulfillment of corporate responsibility to promote general welfare.
The Public Corporations would coordinate initiatives with the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry so that all matters affecting the private sector such as taxes, minimum wage, interest rates and the business climate would be periodically discussed to create informed policies conducive to profitability, growth, employment and general welfare. We will not engage in any economic adventurism but would work with all stakeholders to promote pro -employment, pro- better wages and pro -general welfare policies while cushioning the productive base to be able to produce the sovereign national wealth requisite for National development and general welfare. If the Greek leaders take such a direction they are likely to succeed. If they pursue economic adventurism they are likely to fail.
PDOIS will provide better financial management by ensuring that the public is involved at all stages of the budgeting and implementation process. Social auditing will be introduced to ensure that the members of the public know what is provided for each public institution for service delivery and the media will be protected by freedom of information laws and be empowered to hold public officers accountable to the public.
PDOIS will promote efficient delivery of public services by rewarding public servants on the basis of the quantity and quality of work done which would enhance their desire to be accountable. PDOIS will strive to maintain a minimum wage which will be responsible to the bread basket adequate for survival.
On the Issue of Political stability and Liberty
PDOIS is committed to the values of a Secular Democratic Republic. Unlike the atheist or theocratic concept of the state, secularism calls for the neutrality of the state in matters of religion, philosophy and belief and imposes a duty on the executive, the legislature and the judiciary and their agents to protect the right of each to freedom to hold and practice one’s religion or hold on to a philosophy or belief without being subjected to any persecution.
Furthermore, secularism must give rise to a culture of tolerance where each citizen respects the rights of others and would have the humility never to abuse one’s right by infringing on the rights of others.
Politically, we will strive to introduce a two four year term limit and thus put an end to any need for a coup.
All Gambians in particular and human beings in general, who are on trial, in detention or at liberty, need protection of law. Hence human rights defenders and the media will be encouraged to hold state agencies and agents to account to prevent and redress the violation of rights.
We will welcome external human rights monitors as advisers to perfect our system of government to improve the quality of life of our people, and would not see them as inspectors aiming to interfere with our sovereignty. Only tyrants would feel offended for being told to treat their citizens as human beings everywhere, ought to be treated. PDOIS would build an environment which is friendly to human tights defenders.
THE WAY FORWARD
Some Gambians abroad told the international media that the armed insurrection was a by- product of a political power vacuum in the country. They presented the opposition in the Gambia as fragile and ineffective. Gambians need to interrogate this notion of the opposition before we could take any step forward.
What constitutes a strong and effective opposition? A strong and effective opposition is one that scrutinises and criticises a government and holds it to account, while putting across its alternative policies to show proof that it can provide a better leadership.
We cannot speak for other parties, but we can say without any fear of exaggeration that PDOIS is doing what a strong and effective opposition party should do.
We scrutinise and criticise every shortcoming of all the instruments and institutions of the state and practices of their agents. We also propose alternatives on how to do things better.
The hypothesis of a political vacuum does not stand the test of objective analysis. We need to revisit this notion. To assist those who want to take an informed position on the subject in order to map out a realistic way forward, allow us to state that consciousness and organisation are the basis to effect democratic change in any country. Hence the Gambian people have to ask themselves whether there exist opposition parties whose policies are worth supporting. If so, they should not consider that party to be weak because of past elections results. What they should do is to support such a party to intensify its work among the masses, to increase its support base to win elections.
Power in politics is two-fold. There is the power of ideas and the power of mass organisation. The power of ideas empowers an opposition party to have the ability to shape public opinion and further influence those who control political power to be on their guard by exposing acts of impunity.
The power of mass support empowers an opposition party to have authority to make demands that must be listened and attended to by a government before elections, and convince the undecided voters that it could replace a government whenever elections are due.
PDOIS needs the power of mass support. Even if alliance becomes necessary, only strong parties with strong mass base can form and influence successful alliances and prevent the derailing of the aspirations of the people.
Consciousness and organisation are the key instruments for change. We are moving about from village to village to sensitise and organise those who agree with us. Encourage all parties to do the same. Let us all promote the battle of policies rather than wrangling based on sentiments and prejudices. Think and own your mind. It is in that sovereign mind where the liberty of all lies. Only a person who loves freedom more than any other thing on earth could work selflessly to free a nation. Be yourself and take ownership of your country. Liberty and prosperity shall be your reward. History is waiting to record your contribution .Spectators do not become the architects of their own destiny. Only activists could take charge of their destiny and shape it to enjoy liberty, dignity and prosperity. The time has arrived. The time is now.
The End
These are what Gambians both at home and diaspora need to listen to, digest and invest in for a meaningful change in the country.
May God reward your intentions for the Gambia and her people. Amen
I must admit over the years, I sometimes had a very limited attention span to Mr Sallah’s lengthy contributions. He once told me off for stating such on Freedom Newspaper.
But this piece is from a master craftsman. Every line and every paragraph has left me spellbound.
Gambia does have some remarkable statesmen capable of lifting Gambia from the doldrums of despair….to a state of grace high above the clouds.
“If only”
Mr Sallah has entered the Premier League of worthy Africans with solid substance, vision and consumate ability.
But we always knew that.
He’s ” special.” and whats more….he’s right.
Only PDOIS offers a credible alternative to the rotten APRC useless government of yahya jammeh. The sooner gambians know this the better.
They are the most honest politicians who stand for little man (poor) and justices for all. Thank you for your continuous fight .
IS BECAUSE OF HALIFA YAYA IS RULING,THIS ENDLESS WRITINGS WILL NOT CHANGE GAMBIA. IT IS HALIFA WHO SUPPORTED JAMMEH BOGUS REFRENDUM AGAINST GAMBIANS,IS HALIFA WHO CONFUSED GAMBIAN ELECTORATES.NOW HE CANNOT DEFEND THAT BOGUS CONSTITUTION HE CAMPAIGNED FOR.SHAME.THATS MY OPINION,WE HAVE SEEN THIS SINCE 1995|1996,HALIFA HAS WRITTEN MANY OF THIS TYPES.TOO LATE,YOU CAN FOOL SOME PEOPLE SOME TIMES BUT CANNOT FULL ALL THE PEOPLE ALL THE TIMES.
We all know PDOIS have noble wishes for the Gambia and Africa at large. Whiles their wishes are what we need in a democratic country, here is the reality on the ground.
Jammeh will never leave power without a fight. He came in fighting, so will he go fighting.
Jammeh will never organize an election where he will loose. In fact which dictator will organize his downfall?
Democracy, rule of law and economic best practices can only come to Gambia when Jammeh is forcefully remove from office. No other democratic means can remove Jammeh from office. He will not hesitate to open FIRE antytime and anywhere when ever he feels his power threathen. The whole world knows Jammeh is INSANE.
PDOIS certainly has good ideas and intentions but these will never flourish under Jammeh’s rule. NEVER whiles Jammeh is in power.
The most honest politicians? Come on Max. Don’t insult people.
Deyda, pdois only reminds me of Laurent Gbargbo of Ivory Coast. Too many similarities. Let’s just read their stuff and move on.
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Quote above statement…..
“After 30 years of PPP and 20 years of AFPRC/APRC rule, without power ever being transferred from one democratically elected government to another, should the Gambian people continue to be spectators of history, or should they finally take a stand and become architects of their own free, dignified and prosperous destiny…..?
Should they wait for saviours, or should they become their own saviours….?
These are fundamental questions which should exercise the minds of every Gambian. Posterity is demanding an urgent answer. ”
Comment….This is the answer to our predicament…But are we ready to be the masters of our country or do we want to continue to serve our “masters”, masquerading as political leaders…?
Lafia…We.would.like to read your (UDP) stuff too, if.you have any…Then the substance can be separated from.the chaff.
I agree with you Abdoulie. Laurent Gbargbo used to do the same in Ivory Coast. One of their similarities.
Let’s just read their stuff and move on. No need to squabble over Pdois. We can unite without them and take our country back.
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Bax, I am not a UDP official. So clearly, your request is misplaced and misdirected. I understand my views on pdois are a bit gauche in your considerations. I can only offer my sympathy for that. But let’s face it: the truth must be told. I am done.
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LaFia touray , PDOIS is the only political party in the Gambia which truly and constantly engage in civic education of citizenry so that they can be aware of state affairs in their country and make informed decision . This is empowerment and politics is about empowering and fighting the rights of the people . You empower people by advocating , representing their interest and educate them . Therefore that efforts of empowerment through education lead to honest decisions making by citizens. today a lot things are in public domain to enlighten people is because of the efforts of pdois members . Their lack of interest in self enrichment and more interest in general welbeing of Gambians make them the most honest and vocal politicians in the country . Political Education of citizenry is very instrumental in preventing dictatorship which we currently have . As an independent minded someone , sometimes I agreed with their positions on things that matter on our national interest . Halifa was ready to sacrifice his life for Gambian people so many times . He did it with Seedia in the early days of the coup when the dictator and his gang of thugs tried to prevent the publication of their newspaper and thanks to that effort we still have foroyaa . Foroyaa continue to educate citizens despite hostile environment . Tell me which opposition party had any of his members running a newspaper or has civic center to enlighten people ? Halifa took a bold step to enlighten citizens about witch- hunting exercise and even challenged the dictator about violation of citizens rights in that process . In the process he was arrested and taken to mile two . I have high respect for their efforts and relentless selfless sacrifices . What they are doing in The Gambia if truly majority understand them then we will not have current problem . Their lack of success has to do with culture of ignorance and unwillingness of other political parties to engage in similar political education/ civic education . Imagine the impact if other parties are engage in political education , I don’t mean going around during election to try to get vote. I trust someone who is ready to educate me than someone who give me lipservice and food to Appease me . Our main problem is political ignorance that is why both governments failed to educate citizens to be politically aware . This is why the concept of “Mansa ” is still prevalent despite we are sovereign republic. Political ignorance lead to suppression and violations of citizens rights and this work out well for greedy and comic politicians .
Lafia said…” I am not an official of my party, (UDP ) so I don’t know our stuff….”
That’s the weakest excuse I’ve ever heard…May be there just isn’t much worth telling us…Just rely on sentiments to get votes…Forget the “stuff”…In that case, just fade away and let serious people discuss serious issues.
Abdoulie…What did the people you support do in 1995/96..? Everyone will be interested to know.
Lafia….Still fighting over the same old “water hole” I see. Then on the next page you will be telling us how your little heart yearns for Jammeh to be gone. sob sob sob.
I can sense a change in the air since December 30th. Halifa is smelling the same wind. This piece is telling me he feels now is the time for energising and unfolding wings than can move swiftly.
Jammeh’s brain must be full of demons of self doubt right now.
Oh for sure….he can buy better scanners at the docks, he can double the guards at the border crossings, he can change his body guards and he can even get his unmarked vans to lift mothers and fathers and children from there beds in the dead of night.
But all these things make his future very restless and uncertain.
The ship has sprung a thousand leaks….
Gaddafi’s last known words were
“What did I ever do to you” ?
Ok Max. How comes they always get less votes than all the parties then??
And by the way, I am not bothered by any of your other claims but don’t insult people by claiming that pdois is the most honest. Say they are honest or one of the most honest and would be an opinion you are entitled to but ” the most honest”, the is insulting and you are not entitled to insult others .
Mike, you are probably doing an American fillerbuster; If you can’t win against the truth, just grand stand the debate.
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Bax, you have nothing to say and don’t speak your mind. This charge of sentiments is contained in halifa’s statement and that’s where you lift it from.
I was never involved in a political campaign and therefore could not have relied on sentiments to earn votes. You probably needs to be reminded of halifa’s propagated sentiments including tribal ones. Don’t take your luck too far, my friend.
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This release highlighted what transpired , what lead to the current predicament and what pdois intend to do . Pdois used the current situation as an opportunity to put forward their agenda and try to educate citizens about current affairs . looking at the supplementary budget , it is clear to all , a wasteful spending is the order of the day in Jammeh’s regime and pdois is doing good job to expose those things for the public to know . Battle of ideas is what will make our country move forward .
Latifia , if you are not udp member then you should make your position clear . As I indicated I do sometimes disagreed with their position but I commend them for their tireless effort in the fight for political awareness and empowerment of the citizenry .
LaFia , I stated the reasons why they are not successful that is “their lack of success has to do with culture of ignorance and unwillingness of other political parties to engage in similar political education / civic education ” . Remember these people are operating in a very poor and lack of political awareness environment , if you have a ruling party who is willing to give money and bag of rice to poor who are thinking of their daily meals then they will take that. This is the biggest problem . If PPP and aprc are engaged in that kind of politics , pdois has no chance .
You are not bothered by my other claims because you know I simply revealed the facts here .
Please take your tribal politics out of this discussion . As a civilized people who are all victims of Jammeh’s tribal politics and militarization , let’s be more open-minded and discuss ideas that would move our country forward regardless of our tribal affiliation , religious beliefs and sexual orientation . Talk about policies and programs please .
Max, I support UDP and have always made that clear. I can’t call myself a member because I do not pay membership dues to the party neither do I hold any membership card.
All UDP officials live in Banjul, as far as I know.
You probably need to move on.
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LaFia , if you like UDP that is fine . Talk about their policies and programs why you like them . That is the debate we want to have . But acussing Halifa “propagating sentiments including tribal ones” has no bases in this discussion but it is only meant to sow tribal discord . All Gambian politicians excluding Yaya Jammeh , never incite tribal politics that is why we are all able to live peacefully since we know ourselves as a country . Yaya disunity idiotic Jammeh is the only one who is using tribal politics by using his tribe in politics , nia and military to oppress Gambians . Mr Darboe is a true patriotic likewise sallah , oj Jallow and mr Jatta . Sir Dawda is even more democrat and tolerance leader . So please you are following udp , look at mr Darboe who embrace all tribes and this is demonstrated in his personal life (family ) for all to see . So our common problem is not tribes but it is one evil dictator Jammeh . Let’s us focus on that. Even the Jolas who some of them jammeh is using for his personal interest are his number victim . Just go to mile two central prison and find out . Jammeh’s brutality has no tribal boundaries . In fact all tribes contribute to Jammeh’s brutality .
Max : The trouble with you is that you lack the sense of conversation but not the sense of writing bunch of nonsense. I bet you are very loud and annoying personality who don’t know when to stop talking, do you even listen to yourself ? one minute you say : (PDOIS) They are the most honest politicians who stand for little man (poor) and justices for all. Thank you for your continuous fight , and next minute you say : . Mr Darboe (UDP) is a true patriotic likewise sallah , oj Jallow and mr Jatta . Sir Dawda (PPP) is even more democrat and tolerance leader . So please you are following udp , look at mr Darboe who embrace all tribes and this is demonstrated in his personal life (family ) for all to see . So our common problem is not tribes but it is one evil dictator Jammeh . Let’s us focus on that. Even the Jolas who some of them jammeh is using for his personal interest are his number victim . Just go to mile two central prison and find out . Jammeh’s brutality has no tribal boundaries . In fact all tribes contribute to Jammeh’s brutality .
Constantly talking isn’t necessarily communicating. , I think your lips are inside out.
Troy , thank you very much for calling me annoying personality . Since you are so intelligent that you can describe my personality without knowing me , I will simply say you are a genius . That said , in this forum people discuss issues of national concern in a civilized and intelligent manner without name calling . I will proceed to enlighten you that , take a look at the context I stated those statements . Any sensible person who read my statements will understand what I mean in each context .
My first statement was about my reaction to PDOIS statements above in which I indicated that
“they are the most honest politicians who stand for the little man (poor ) and justices for all . Thank you for your continous fight”.
Troy , the last paragraph you included in your bullying is my last posting which is totally different from my reaction to above article .
I reacted to an allegation made by LaFia that Hallifa ” propagated sentiments including tribal ones” . My respond was
” mr Darboe is patriotic likewise sallah , oj Jallow and mr Jatta . Sir Dawda is even more democrat and tolerance leader ” and so on. I went further to explain how we don’t have any tribal issues but a common problem which is dictator jammeh.
Can you please come up with anything that is wrong with those statements in each context and challenge me why I am wrong ? As an intelligent person you should have come up with substantial explanation to enlighten me . You are annoyed because I stated the truth in each context . Do you know the difference between honesty and patriotism ?
Let me tell you , you already failed in your goal to silence me . Your bullying tactics now gave me more strength to write . I want to have intellectual debate with you on issues of national concern . If you are offend or annoyed , the best thing to do is to quit and do yourself a favor so that you don’t have heart attack or sleepless night . This is democracy at work . This is what we are advocating so that even bullies or ignorance ones can express themselves without annoying anyone. I am free to express myself . I am glad at least you are following me and getting some education which you will never get in dictator Jammeh’s tv or Grts . For your information , I will be writing on every topic if I can . Do you know why I am constantly talking? I have a smart phone with full Internet access 24 hours a day , non stop. I can respond to any messages in a heart beat if I want . I would love kaironews to have instant messaging so that my respond can be faster . I hope mr saidykhan will look into that suggestion . My friend , I hope to have an intellectual debate with you on ” why do you think jammeh is better for our country” ? How about we start with that ? I will stop here before you accuse me of writing too much before our debate . Thanks for following me though .
Well Max, if you insult a particular tribe or falsely accuse them of asking their children not to vote for you when in fact, most of your votes always come from that tribe rather that your own and the one you assimilated yourself into, then you are certainly sowing the seed of tribal discord. If pdois supporters want to push it too far and make their leaders the focus rather than Jammeh, we will certainly talk about these issues as a matter of legitimate public concern. I don’t shy away from hard topics, and everyone knows that here. So “bul yen gal gal gi” meaning; don’t rock the boat.
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“If pdois supporters want to push it too far and make their leaders the focus rather than Jammeh,……..”
Comment….This is all you ever wanted so that you can pedal your false and malicious vile against Honourable Halifa Sallah, the man who sends shivers down your spine…
You cannot provide a single word, phrase or sentence that proof the allegations you always make against Honourable Sallah, and yet you shamelessly persist…Provide your proof if you are truthful…
Ha! Ha! Bax the obscurantist. You learnt it from Halifa, didn’t you. Of course I will never be deterred from pushing back against hate speech directed against the Mandingo tribe in The Gambia. I consider that to be my duty and will never relent as long as the menace continues to pollute our politics. That’s for sure.
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We cannot afford a Laurent Gbargbo type carnage to be imported into The Gambia. prevention is better than cure.
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Come now gentlemen. Stand down.
The “water hole” upon which you state your cause is filled with Gambian blood. The ghosts of April 10th and the blood of Deyda Hydara are causes that require a sombre reflection on this day.
You have breath..they do not. Use your time well.
There should be no enemies here only comrades with ambition and a keen perspective.
Contrast the vision of Yahya Jammeh who chastises Senegal for giving shelter to “His enemies”
I have advice for Yahya Jammeh….it is simple.
Stop making enemies.
I feel so sorry for my friends in the APRC. All there hopes turned into fears.
Loyalty is never a gift to be squandered easily.
The soldiers with a difference….were sadly….in different.
The cost is too high.
Gambia is at the crossroads.
Which road will you choose?
I praise Mr Darboe and Mr Sallah..for offering the “balance” so sadly lacking in recent years.
One man laments the past
One man embraces the future.
Gambia has earned its future let it not be its past.
LaFia , what evidence do you have to show halifa incite tribal politics, when and where ? I am interested to see that with specific reference to documentation not your usual hearsay ? please , put tribal politics away and stop accusing people withot providing concrete evidence for all to see . A proud mandinka will always speak the truth no matter what , that is why the term ” foroyaa” came in . So I expect you to provide foroyaa ( speak the truth) which always comes with evidence . To earn respect of readers , you need to provide your evidence of any kind you have . Thanks
Somebody said on Facebook that disunity is a Gambian thing. I almost laugh my head off but on a sober reflection and looking at the Laurent Gbargbo type characters in our midst, I was like ” could he have said it any better??”
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LaFia , you challenged me on why I said PDOIS is the “most honest politicians ” . I gave you my respond with evidence in above postings . Can you tell us why they are not most honest politicians? I get your proposal of ” one of the most honest politicians ” . Please explain . Thanks
“Ok Max. How comes they always get less votes than all the parties then?”
Lafia, it seems that you are not learning anything from our previous discussions. You seem to be living in this deluded sense of romanticism of our past ancestral glories.
Our politics have evolved to be more complex and removed from an ethnocentric viewpoint to the point that those who rely on a strong ethnic support base to win political power are finding to their utter dismay that the numbers are not adding up. The dynamics at play here are much more than having more or less votes in a given election cycle. The sooner people like you come to this realization the better for your political party’s aspirations.
I will submit to you, and without any fear of exaggeration, that PDOIS will be a part of or will be part of any evolutionary process that will lead to the consolidation of the Gambia’s Third Republic. This is just the way things are going to be. There is no darn thing you can do about it.
The second republic was a historical accident. The third republic is a historical necessity. Unfortunately none of the other opposition political parties can make this third republic evolve without PDOIS. This is just the way it is going to be. There is no darn thing you can do about it. We have the message. We have the vision and we are committed to its mission.
PDOIS was born out of a historical necessity to guide the course of political events in the country. It has been doing that since the party came into existence.
There are two fundamental objectives, however, that has been integral in our recognition of the evolution of the nation-state. The first fundamental objective is the struggle to gain independence and Republican status. This objective has been achieved and today we are celebrating 50 years an independent nation.
The second fundamental objective is a democratic revolution. This is our vision and the mission that has been foremost in shaping the political goals and objectives of PDOIS since its inception. We are therefore guided with an informed, deliberate and knowledge based approach to respond to the needs and aspirations of the Gambian people. This is the reason why we are different.
“And by the way, I am not bothered by any of your other claims but don’t insult people by claiming that pdois is the most honest. Say they are honest or one of the most honest and would be an opinion you are entitled to but ” the most honest”, the is insulting and you are not entitled to insult others ”
If honesty is defined by being really true to one’s self PDOIS is then definitely the epitome of honesty. We have been consistent throughout a thirty year span with our principles, our beliefs and our commitments.
We always tell the Gambian people what is wrong, and not only that but how we can fix the problems for them if they should give us the mandate to take over the reins of power in the country. We then live them to make that decision at their own volition. Nonetheless we still continue to try to win their hearts and their minds.
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Oops ! Max : Did you just bite your own thumb again?? you see why injury is much sooner forgotten than an insult. If you want to avoid an insult, you must be able to repel it, The problem of the outlawing of insult is that too many things can be interpreted as such. You’re so full of it, you could pass for a toilet , Once again, you show all the sensitivity of a blunt.
I’ll not engage here in this forum for couple of reasons , one am father of 4 and a husband, two i have full time job, so i don’t have lot of time sit on the computer.
I lost my respect for Mr. Sallah and i will never recover, I spent my hard earn money to bring all our politicians under one roof in other discuss way forward Mr. Sallah came up all kind of bogus excuses to down play our efforts and insult everybody’s intelligence,
Lafia, the question is for you to provide evidence that Halifa has at any time sowed tribal discord against the Mandinka tribe. Pls simply give an instance.
We know you are Yaya Jammeh supporter doing your best to divide the opposition and make them fight against each other instead of against Jammeh. The same tactics is used by Israel against the Palestinians, PLO versus Hamas!!!
We don’t have time for that. The Gambia needs us all badly including you. Pls redirect your energy towards the common good of the country and her suffering ple.
Thanx
Gambia, read his statements of 2006/07 on the presidential and parliamentary elections of those yrs, and get his interview tape of 2011 as to why he was opposing a UDP led alliance and lawyer Darboe. You guys are just mere obscurantists who are borrowing everything from Halifa’s play book to conceal his nasty side from Gambians. That Will not work anymore. Not this time around.
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And by the way, the collective opposition met over a press conference sometimes ago to condemn Jammeh’s anti mandinka rhetoric with a United voice. Halifa refused to partake in this joint press conference. If he is not a Mandinkaphobic who supports the anti mandinka rhetoric coming from statehouse, why didn’t he partake in the joint press conference???
Look guys, the obscurantists are up to no good and will never succeed in concealing Halifa’s nasty side from the public.
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Lafia, stop the lies against this man. I have followed Halifa very closely both public and private. There is no need to argue about something that even your keyboard knows you’re fabricating. What is Halifa’s tribe??? Maybe you don’t even know this basic thing about him.
Why did nadd collapse in the first place which led to him standing as presidential candidate??? Pls consult the UDP leadership for enlightenment on this before you pollute the public cyber space.
Before the opposition came together in 2013 about Jammeh’s anti Mandinka hate speeches did Halifa issued a statement on it or not??? Where was UDP in the formation of the united front in 2011, NRP in the formation of the group of 6 in the national assembly election??? What then was the need to come together just to condemn a statement which was only a byproduct of your refusal to cooperate to remove the root cause?????
Like I said. The Gambia and her suffering ple need your positive energy. Pls redirect that towards the removal of the predicament and not to distract hard working sons.
Do you have children in the Gambia whose tomorrow you care about?????
Troy, I am disappointed to have you declined my invitation. I am in this forum to share ideas and learn how to move our country forward. You failed to answer all my questions in previous posting. However, I have two fundamental issues I want to address here. First is your ignorance of democratization process and second, is your personal life after exposing yourself to the world. I think you need help in both areas. I usually don’t talk about people’s business but in your case I think you need professional help and guidance since you make it your bussiness to classify me as a person with annoying personality. .
First, if my statement that “pdois is the most honest politicians” is an insult to you or anyone then you really have a problem. Your classification of my simple opinion above as an insult indicated that you don’t understand politics and democracy. Democracy we are advocating is about freedom of speech and individual rights. It is my rights to state my opinion and you have every rights to disagree with that statement. Calling me annoying personality further exposed your ignorance because this was simple opinion which has no derogatory connotation to it. Your lame excuses for not engaging me in an intellectual debate also highlighted your character as someone who like to caricature and bully people. You have time to cut and paste my statements and put them together as if they are written in the same context which indicated that you have hidden agenda.
Secondly, you need help in your personal life and I will provide my health professional questions based on the data you provided. Let’s put politics aside. I feel sorry for you and empathize with your situation.
According to your statement; “am a father of four and a husband, I have two full time jobs and I don’t have time lot of time to sit on the computer”. You need to answer the following questions so that you can make a better decision for yourself and family. .
How do you expect your children to have loving family relationships when you work two full time jobs?
How do you help your children with their assignments so that they can grow up to have good education and be good members of their communities?
Do you consider your health while doing two full time jobs?
What circumstances do you have for you to work two full time jobs?
What do you do for living and what is your spouse responsibilities in your household to substantiate your income?
Troy, These are important questions which I think iyou need to answer for me so that I can provide my professional Advice if you like. Until then my friend, rest and think about these questions. Please don’t work too hard.
Max : I am a proud father infact am so proud even a guy like you will hear me say it. and where in the world did i say i work in two full time jobs??
I believe that any man can make mistakes, but only an idiot persists in his error. Besides what is wrong with two full time work ??
You brag about owning smartphone and that you can now instant text message anyone at anytime , I say there’s nothing more dangerous than a resourceful idiot, evidence in display for whole world to see.
Gambia, so it means you don’t appreciate the danger and the profound threat the statehouse mandinkaphobic rhetoric poses to national security, tranquility and our peaceful co-existence?? You also clearly recognise the duty of opposition in any given country to protect and promote national cohesion and peaceful co-existence. I must say that is troubling to me but again, I understand it to be part of your obscurantist strategy to conceal Halifa’s other side .
By the way, the issue was not about NRP, coalition or G6 but to condemn the anti mandinka rhetorics coming from statehouse and promote national cohesion and peaceful co-existence. Scapegoating NRP here is like a racist employer defending a strong racial discrimination case at the Employment Tribunal. They still won’t admit that they are being racist even if the evidence strongly points to that very facts. So I don’t expect you or Halifa to admit that he is a Mandinkaphobic. However, the evidence is palpable and your obscurantist behaviour here will not change that.
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I mean; You also clearly dont recognise the duty of opposition in any given country to protect and promote national cohesion and peaceful co-existence.
And by the way, you can insult me for as much as you want. It won’t deter me from pushing back against prejudice and insults directed against mandinkas in The Gambia. I consider that to be my duty.
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LaFia, you still didn’t give any specific evidence but mere referral to 2006/7 elections . Please give the tape for kaironews to publish then we will know you are right. Again if halifa didn’t attend joint press conference, so in your mind he is inciting tribal hatred or mandinkaphobic .
It is the duty of every citizen and political parties to protect and promote national cohesion and peacefully coexistence.,
If angry words were broken glass….Kairo News would need a large sweeping brush this morning.
From the impartial observers perspective, OJ’s contribution on Freedom Newspaper, is a worthy addition to those made by Mr Sallah and Mr Darboe.
I am left with this question?
Are the supporters of the Gambia’s main opposition parties worthy of such outstanding and comitted leaders ?
For the perception that the leadership were weak…appears to have been routed.
Consensus is still hard to find amongst the support…though.
Its akin to a school playground….when a fight breaks out.
This after so many years….is so dissapointing.
Bring on the bandages and the sticky plaster.
Max, you are doing exactly what racist employers do at the Employment Tribunal. They don’t only insist on their innocence at all odds, they also resort to semitics as a last kick. It’s called obscurantism. People already understand that about PDOIS and Halifa. You can go on if you so wish. It won’t change the facts.
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“Gambia, read his statements of 2006/07 on the presidential and parliamentary elections of those yrs, and get his interview tape of 2011 as to why he was opposing a UDP led alliance and lawyer Darboe.”
Lafia, we need not even go to Halifa’s statements of 2006/07 on the presidential and parliamentary elections at that time. We have echoed those statements here and why we are unequivocally opposed to a UDP led alliance. Being so selfish in your partisan considerations you are the only person who would find fault in the reasoning Haifa has advanced in those statements.
We have argued that we do not want to subscribe to a repeat of the near monarchical tendencies of the executive presidency of the first republic which has resulted in a coup to end that political hegemony. We have seen the same thing happening in the second republic and while the first lasted for thirty years, we are twenty years into the second and counting.
A UDP led alliance is merely asking the other opposition political parties to help the UDP to come to power and with the executive presidency and its monarchical tendencies it will be a repeat of what happened in the first republic and now the second republic. You do not need to be a student of political science to understand this political reality. This is an anathema to everything that PDOIS stands for. We want to prosecute a democratic revolution. Thus our political disposition has nothing to do with tribal politics which we hate with all the emphasis at our command.
You have to find it in your heart to apologize to Halifa for this sacrilegious tribal tendency you are attributing to him.
Since the UDP cannot come to power on its own accord why is it so difficult to harness the support of the totality of the opposition struggle in a political framework that is acceptable to all? We are definitely open to this proposition. We are therefore not the obscurantists which is the figment of your own imagination.
“You guys are just mere obscurantists who are borrowing everything from Halifa’s play book to conceal his nasty side from Gambians..”
For someone who was a high school student when Halifa was riding in the back of a pick-up truck with a microphone denouncing the excesses of the executive presidency of the first republic, and awakening the consciousness of the Gambian youth in those substantive symposia in the academic halls of the Gambia High school and other places, it is insulting for you now a proud Mandinka warrior and an unapologetic UDP partisan supporter to REVEAL to the Gambian people the nasty side of Halifa.
We want to nurture a democratic culture and free speech and hence we can tolerate your disrespectful comments.
. That Will not work anymore. Not this time around.
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LaFia , since you know that the tape is around which I have never heard of , would you please give it to kaironews to publish so that we can all make our independent judgement . Opposition researchers give their evidence to newspapers to publish such potential demaging story since your goal is halifa’s destruction in politics . But your usual distraction tactics is what you are doing . Please for the sake of sanity to prevail, give your evidence . Thanks
Max, it will be better for us to totally avoid trying to make Lafia provide proofs or evidence of Mr Sallah’s personalities, likes and dislikes. Without any shadow of doubt Halifa like all politicians got problem side to him. He has a temper that affects his relationships with people, he hardly ever forgive if offended, he is aloof and temperamental at best.
Halifa even fell out with Modou Nyang whilst Nyang was at foroyaa. A lot of young men left foroyaa due to Halifa’s temperaments.
As for his anti-Mandinka sentiments, it has been rumoured, but it will be hard to substantiate it.
Somebody told me that, Halifa once accused Sidia of siding with the Mandinkas and Sidia angrily told him that if he was to follow his (Halifa) silliness, PDOIS will break into pieces. Clearly, Halifa have an issue with the Mandingo tribe. Some people just don’t want that to be said but Helloooo!! , it is true.
OJ thinks the British should re-colonise Gambia.
I don’t think we could afford to pay off Gambia’s debts. We have too many of our own.
God Save The Queen !!!
Mike, God save the Queen Ameen but re-colonisation is not an option. A strong bilateral cooperation and mutual membership of the commonwealth is what is required. Colonialism is no longer fashionable.
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Troy , once again you refused to answer my health professional questions which are designed to help you make better decision for yourself and your family . You have now disowned your statements ., and went further to state that
“I believe any man can make mistakes but only an idiot persist in his error “. The above statement is exactly what you are doing since you refused to acknowledge that it is my rights to state that PDOIS are “the most honest politicians ” . Your persistence In calling the above statement as an insult, simply qualify you as an idiot and ignorance folk who doesn’t respect individual rights to free speech and choices .
You have given me lame excuses not to debate me and you also accused mr sallah of given you “all kind of bogus excuses” when you invited him to join all politicians under roof to discuss way forward .
Based on mr sallah absent from that discussion , you lost respect for him and you will never recover . This clearly indicate that you have this belief that it is either your way or no way at all . This is a very dangerous thinking because it is characteristics of a dictator . Our current predicament is squarely based on the concept of jammeh’s belief that it is either his way or no way at all because he never listen to anyone and always think he is right . As a responsible person you claimed to be , Do you find out why mr sallah did not attend your meeting ? Remember that politics is all about choices and it is mr sallah choice not attend your meeting if he feel it is not going to be productive. As I said try to respect people choices and always ask question why they make those choices .
Again I notice you will never discuss issues of national concern but you still have time to discuss foolish and petty things which has no bearing on this discussion . You are simply a pure distraction . So my final question is this ” why do you think PDOIS are not the most honest politicians “?
Alieu, evidence is what we need to determine whether the allegation is true or not. But hearsay or rumors is not something which is factually correct. This is serious allegation which can definitely have negative consequences on mr sallah’s political career. This is why it is unfair to make those charges without evidence to prove the allegation. It is character assassination. As for mr sallah temperament, I don’t know his private life and I don’t want to know his private life, but his public life and conduct is exemplary. He is patriotic citizen who devoted his entire life for The Gambian people. It is human to fallout with certain people based on given situation. So the characterization that mr sallah fell out with some people and therefore he is aloof and temperamental is misleading and another character assassination. Again what is important his contribution and what he stand for. As a public figure, people have every rights to question his character and judgment , that is part and parcel of democratic and transparent society .
Lafia and his mates will be in this forum for as long as they are given the opportunity to throw their garbage, vile and shameful slander against Halifa…That’s what they are all about…They will either ignore you or disappear, as soon as you challenge them to discuss substantive issues…
Lafia, in particular, is deceitful because he has not been straight forward about his association with the UDP in the past….and using the name,”gambian”, he has pretended to be a neutral contributor in all discussions during the coalition efforts towards 2011…He also used the alias “Nyarikangbano” in another forum…
No doubt, he.will.want to deny this but those who engaged him in the past can see the connections…The style is unmistakable, but most importantly, is the same vile and venom always directed against the same individual and (his) party…Even Mike Scales made the connection between Lafia and gambian in a recent comment…
I only engage Lafia to further expose and discredit him and what he pretends to stand for…They are all full of it but once you ask serious questions, they melt away…
It’s good to concentrate on the dictator but that’s not possible with these people hell bent on disrupting unity efforts unless their “king” is crowned…They may succeed in having their “king” crowned, so that they can become his “knights” and “Lords”, but they will have to do it by themselves…
All parties signed up to a Memorandum Of Understanding in.2006, that laid down a workable framework for a genuine coalition…Those who sabotaged that effort must be held responsible for the continued failure to have a united opposition…Because to sign up to something, only to withdraw and then question the rationale of what you signed up to at a later date, is to show that either you did not understand the text of the document you signed, or you were not sincere in your commitments..
As matters stand now, and unless this lot can prove me wrong with facts, the UDP, who signed up to the MOU, which states very clearly that the flag bearer will be chosen.by consensus, and where that fails, by holding a primary, is the obstacle to unity efforts by questioning the rationale of holding primaries, even when no consensus was reached to select a flag bearer..
The claim that the registration of NADD is the reason for their withdrawal does not stand the test of scrutiny. .It is just one feeble and bad excuse that I would be ashamed of recounting if I was a party member or supporter..
So over to you Lafia and.gang…Let’s see how long you can handle this one..
Hey Mike…
You ever witnessed a Gambian palaver or family squabbles. .? (HULO/SONGCO)
You do get some.mad ones that may want to crush skulls and break bones, but it’s often screams and shouts and lots of finger wagging…Nothing to worry about…
That’s what we are doing here to sort things out and restore order into some people, because they are out of order. ..Don’t take much notice…That’s the way we do things sometimes. .
Lafia n alieu, again, I challenge u both to bring forward evidence of Halifa bring anti Mandinka.
For lafia, ever since I know u in research fora, u have never write anything significant. U pretend to be UDP when u r not. U pretend to be a Mandinka when u are not. Thanks to the anonymity of the online forum. May your conscience judge n punish u for always doing your best to distract genuine Gambian efforts to bring sanity back to our country.
On Alieu, Halifa falling out with some boys at Foroyaa is purely administrative and not political. Foroyaa as a newspaper and SN institution has standards and reporters have to live to those. That is nothing to do with Halifa or politics pls. The overall objective and pertinent question to ask is where Foroyaa has stood the test of time from 1987 to date or if it had deviated from its self set principle of informing gambians n putting both governments to account.
Back to Halifa, both of you pls return to his statement and point out a word that is selfish n not in the best interest of the Gambia and her ple. On the other hand, pls bring your own alternative as he did so that we can move the country forward.
Thank you
Bax….you know me….? If I can see an opportunity to assist The Gambia……am there.
My friend Lafia.. and OJ..have set my business mind a jangling.
How does this sound?
Ref re-colonising Gambia.
Scotland would be the ideal partner for Gambia. Just think of the potential with all them assets to extract and refine oil..from the deepest of oceans.
Mr Jammeh could emigrate to The Shetland Isles… to become The last King of Scotland.
Gambia would become the next Dubai….and rule da world.
I used to be very pally with Shetland Island Council….They don’t particularly like the “soooth smoothers” {people who speak with an english accent}
I could put in a good word for Mr Jammeh.
Nod Nod wink wink
…Ps and yes I have witnessed a Gambian feud many times. Lots of noise…lots of name calling, lots of tears….then the sunshines again.
God bless you all. xxx
Hahaha! Great humour there Mike.
Bless you
A personal gratitude and many thanks Michael Scales, Max, Bax & Kamalo!
PDOIS IS PLAYING ITS PART TO DEAL WITH ISSUES AND INCUMBENT ON EVERY GAMBIAN TO CONSIDER THESE;
“The Central Committee of PDOIS has had a briefing on all the shades of opinion expressed by the sovereign Gambian people and members of the international community on the 30th December armed insurrection and has seen the need to put its appraisal across with the hope of influencing national and international public opinion on the way forward for the Gambian people.
History teaches us that people have their diverse interests and aspirations but each situation has its realities, demands, urgency and possibilities. No aspiration could be realistic if it goes beyond the realm of reality, necessity and possibility. This was why we decided to analyse the circumstances which surrounded the armed attack and indicated with overwhelming thoroughness why the outcome could only be what it was.
We chose not to pass judgment and issue condemnation because of the futility of the exercise. We preferred to analyse, draw lessons and make recommendations on the realistic way forward. It is futile for us to utter condemnation because we were here in 1994 when an unconstitutional takeover of government succeeded……….
In our view, coups are supported by many when they succeed and condemned by many when they fail. Losers are always publicly disowned by many who would have welcomed them as saviours if they had succeeded.
Therefore, we should put condemnation or endorsement aside and ask these simple questions: After 30 years of PPP and 20 years of AFPRC/APRC rule, without power ever being transferred from one democratically elected government to another, should the Gambian people continue to be spectators of history, or should they finally take a stand and become architects of their own free, dignified and prosperous destiny? Should they wait for saviours, or should they become their own saviours? These are fundamental questions which should exercise the minds of every Gambian. Posterity is demanding an urgent answer. Hence the national debate on these questions should begin right now. Postponing it is to pay deaf ears to the demands of destiny…..”
Gambia, racists do not admit to their racism even if the evidence is shown to them. It is the same for tribalist people. So despite myself directing you to evidence of Halifa’s Mandinkaphobic comments, I don’t expect you to accept that he is a Mandinkaphobic. However, you will be deluding yourself to think that I am the only one aware of Halifa’s Mandinkaphobic nastiness. People are reading your obscurantist comments here and saying to themselves “it’s better not to waste my time on this guy”.
You may continue with your obscurantism for as long as you like but be rest assured that the facts are not changing and will not change just because you hate them to be known to others. Insults won’t be a deterrent to my pushing back against Mandinkaphobia and perpetrators including Halifa Sallah, will always be exposed. That’s for sure.
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Guys I have missed it all… Travelled to the Weeping-Coast briefly & just back; where I met one of the wives of Ousman Sonko the murderer of interior of Gambia…. Amie Ndong was a prison officer turned NIA, just returned from one of her numerous trips to Darfur which was supposed to be on rotational basis for the remuneration benefits attached to the international services but being monopolized by the privileged in the kanilai fiefdom murderous-cycle…
PURELY MY OPINION:-
PDOIS-Halifa Sallah:
Halifa in his behaviour so far, towards collective efforts to unifying the opposition, still seems to be reeling from his assumed opportunity presented as NADD chairman to rule, being lost when the others seemed to have had second thoughts & raised concerns on certain aspects in the coalition… Halifa, e.g., once picked bones with Jollofnews & referred to us commentators as “internet sharks” for simply debating & critiquing their maltreatment of some of his employees at Foroyaa, with some divide & rule tactics deployed at the time, calling some of them behind closed doors to threaten individually, in attempts to suppress some of the genuine concerns raised with their contractual employments…. Hence writing polished statements & putting best behaviour in pursuit of statesmanship while acting contrary in personal dealings & being insensitively intolerant to criticism constructive & otherwise, is sociologically tantamount to hypocritical dishonesty…. Undoubtedly he has & still contributing tirelessly to efforts to reclaim the motherland from decadence….
UDP-Ousainou Darboe:
Ousainou & some in his inner cycle seems to be living in utopia that UDP being the largest opposition can go at it alone; when the reality on the ground all points to the contrary, that we NEED all hands on deck to surmount a serious challenge; e.g. the illegal Cassamance & other foreign national voters registration, illegal use of state funds & resources by the murderous kanilai devils worshipper, the tyrannical oppression, forceful disappearances & murder of innocents, etc etc…. Ousainou’s public spat with OJ, e.g., under mere criticism was quite un-statesman like of both of them… All & any aspirational public officials are bound to be scrutinized & criticized…. Ousainou is alleged to be personalizing on party funded visits overseas to the family, by avoiding & shunning some vibrant party members which are quite unhelpful & damaging to the collective efforts of our salvation….. Undoubtedly he has & still contributing tirelessly to reclaim the motherland from decadence….
PPP-Omar Jallow:
OJ & PPP has non to blame but themselves for the current predicament we found ourselves in today… They hid behind our Gambian human nature of tolerance & humanity & developed an EXCLUSIVE political system in sheer ploy to keep passing the baton amongst their cycle as they ruled over our fathers, for their children & offsprings to rule over us & their grandchildren over ours, into posterity…. Hence they kept us under all sorts of tabs, monopolising the state resources to better themselves & families against all… All efforts were deployed at the time to keep Gambians in the dark as much as possible; e.g. the university & television were suppressed as much as possible under their watch, only to be sanctioned when they couldn’t suppress anymore; with a PPP minister Mbemba Jatta publicly opining on the approval that the TV was “well overdue” at the time, etc etc….. Undoubtedly OJ & other fellow PPP members were & still are contributing tirelessly to reclaim the motherland from decadence….
However it’s NOW quite EVIDENT that we all need to stop apportioning blame, take stock of the past, read & analyse the present, ready to work tirelessly & selflessly, move ahead collectively together to be able to plan the future & successfully reclaim the motherland, as it’s getting too late…. Whenever there’s a failure, it’s for no particular individual or party, but we all fail woefully & abysmally & continue to suffer the consequences collectively as country… The sooner we all do away with our individualistic egos, realise the Gambia is bigger & greater than any, including ALL the opposition leaders combined, the BETTER. If the opposition leaders can’t come to terms with whom to lead in a unified opposition among them, there’s is the choice of choosing someone neutral outside their cycle, who we all can support to win & reclaim the motherland bloodlessly; rewrite the Constitution, level the political field & move on in their separate ways, instead of bickering & insisting on right to lead the unified opposition due to one reason or another, grappling at each other’s throats which takes us NOWHERE. Gambia is bleeding in the poison & disease infested jaws of kanilai devil worshipping alligator Tony DAAKUN Fataba… God help & bless Gambia; Ameen.
Having suggested that the recent statements from Mr Sallah, Mr Darboe and OJ….were invigorating….it is noticed very little has been heard from Hamet Bah.
However, we have been treated to the interview between Mr Dibba and President Jammeh….broadcast on Gambian television, and commented on by contributors from the online media.
Mr Jammeh’s performance comes in for heavy criticism, as he offers a
” selective amnesty” for all disidents, except ten or less of his “Most Wanted”
However, there is “intent” in this statement which should not be dismissed without accepting there is “intent”
The direction of that intent…..is reconcilliation.
The writer would not wish to second guess the substance behind this concilitory movement. For there is no doubt that there is movement and that movement is a positive one.
It is somewhat dissapointing that such a potentially important statement from The President….was not guided and worded in a manner which would give its potential meaning the credibility it may require.
I do hope the broad church that is the dissident movement, will show some interest and consult all opinions on how best to respond to this statement..with maturity.
In the interest of these 3 elements of progress…which may form a foundation for strategy.
1. Traction
2. Leverage
3. Momentum.
opinion.
Bajaw, Darboe and his inner circle are fully aware of the need for a coalition. That’s why they invest a lot of time and efforts,including consulting and summoning a meeting of all the parties, in trying to forge a coalition with all the other parties.
There are principles in coalition politics and the UDP will continue to insist that they are respected and adhered to by all.
Almost all coalitions are premised on the basis that no one party can do it alone and yet principles are still respected and adhere to by all. There are ways to accommodate each other in a coalition without having to insist on equality among the parties. No such thing exists in politics.
Many thanks for your comments
Please, please, will you all wind down a little? What is all these exchanges about anyway. All you guys, and especially Hon. Halifa himself, are all sounding very reality-alien. Halifa himself, in his statement , called ‘coming a to a cross-road,’ without telling the cross what road by what other road, or by clearly defining the choices since this is what a cross-road usually signify.
After the events that serve to show the futility of adventurism and the folly of substituting a mass based struggle with a conspiracy of a small group of individuals, any serious reader would expect the “cross road” between that method and the one based on ballot, the leadership of the opposition political parties and the chances of an opposition alliance ahead of the coming 2015 elections. These are the questions that Halifa ought to sensibly try to answer?
Will the boycott or non-participation of PDPOIS be dropped for full participation in the coming 2016 to 2018 season of elections?
If yes, will PDOIS, join a coalition with others? Hon, Sallah did not touch on this in the article, but someone, writing under the name of Kamalo, and probably extremely closed to him, wrote in a rejoinder,: “A UDP led alliance is merely asking the other opposition political parties to help the UDP to come to power and with the executive presidency and its monarchical tendencies it will be a repeat of what happened in the first republic and now the second republic.
This seems to me to be PDOIS’ same old stand and begs the question if there is any room for negotiation with the other parties.
Kamalo added: “….it will be a repeat of what happened in the first republic and now the second republic.” Kamalo writes but how would that be like the PPP or Jammeh rule. None of the circumstances of the three are similar, I believe. And if they did, inter-party negotiations can save from any such prospects. Negotiations are held for participants to come out with models that dispels all legitimate fears and guarantee all righteous and fundamental wishes.
Kamalo continued: “You do not need to be a student of political science to understand this political reality. This is an anathema to everything that PDOIS stands for. We want to prosecute a democratic revolution.
The Americans and Brits joined the Soviets to defeat Hitler before launching the Cold War against each other. To me that rejoinder is the most palpable evidence that we have in our hands the same problems as 2011, and 2006. With this statement not stated in the article, but coming out in the heat of polemics I think Gambians now ought to know that they have to put all hope elsewhere. Perhaps another group of conspirators?
Must express how shocked I was to read Kamalo concluding thus: ” We want to nurture a democratic culture and free speech and hence we can tolerate your disrespectful comments.
This will not work anymore. Not this time around?”
But I wonder who is Kamalo to tolerate or not-tolerate disrespectful comments? What illusion, how intolerant, and how undemocratic. Someone else took note of this attitude in the exchanges.
Samba Fye, have you not seen that no one is responding to Kamalo here? There is no way they can mislead people on UDP’s position on coalition. Everybody understands that UDP is for;
1. An all inclusive opposition coalition comprising of all parties
2. The coalition will be for one five year term in tandem with pdois’s agenda 2011
3. The programmes of the coalition will be crafted by a technical committee comprising of representatives of all parties. That way, all parties can take ownership of the governance programme for all will have an input in it.
4. The president of the coalition government will not seek re-election and will not support any candidate in the subsequent election. This too is in tandem with pdois’s agenda 2011.
5. Decisions at government level will be based on consensus
6.At the time of the subsequent election, all parties will be in government unless they choose to resign before the election. In other words, all parties would be incumbent parties at the time of the election.
7. The coalition will be led by the biggest party, UDP, in line with international standards of coalition politics.
Forget about Kamalo and let’s move on with unity without pdois. All what I have stated above have been talked about in the media by the UDP over and over. So people cannot be misled by Kamalo the slim shady.
Thanks
Lafia La Majou, actually, you have summed up what everyone knows is the sticking difficult issues. You see, in as much as PDOIS still continue bordering on the fringe of 3-5% of Gambian votes, they want to be the only people who will craft the roadmap to the Gambia’s future.
Imagine one man sitting behind a desk with a suspected Masters degree, repeating same stuffs over and over, and yet pretending that, he is the only person capable of putting ideas on the table in the present Gambia with graduates left, right and centre, is such a person not baloney?
As far as the points you stated, this is what the UDP have argued, but pdois wouldn’t have it. All they want is Halifa’s ideas or no ideas, and their ideas are only one idea, hence, a future coalition should be based on multiple brains with the best ideas to map the future. So pdois’s aim is to confuse Gambians with the repetition of the same thing put differently.
As Jesus Christ says, “there will be false prophets who will deceive even the very elect”. Halifa Sallah is one thing on paper and another in practice. He will be much tougher to deal than dictator Jammeh, yet Lawyer Darboe, Ebou Manneh and co put up with him. And now he thinks simply because lawyer Darboe will not contest another election he will get his way, absolutely not.
Let the opposition come to a common terms, in a meeting where all the ideas will be initiated from scratch, in a meeting, then a final product agreed upon, from there it can be sold to Gambians.
We will reject one man drummers and few dancers. In today’s Gambia, just because people remain humble and less pompous does not mean, they are blind to the tricks of Halifa, since, his men in the Bureau all have no opinion.
Now Kamalo, aren’t you like all of us here using aliases, why bother Lafia with a crime you are guilty of? Typical pdois, holier than thou high moral grounds whilst deep inside, they are vengeful and contradictory. I repeat, Halifa is undemocratic in practise and always hostile to vulnerable young men in Foroyaa, there is our practical example of a man few bother to scrutinise. Many are singing his praise who don’t know an ounce of that man, if they do, his regurgitating of outcome stuffs will not mesmerise. Thanks Lafia
If PDOIS seriously believe that UDP stands for monarchical tendencies, then they must state publicly that they don’t wish to coalesce with the UDP since PDOIS is strongly oppose to monarchical tendencies. That way, we can put these insincere coalition posturing to a complete rest.
Thanks
“Samba Fye, have you not seen that no one is responding to Kamalo here?
Yes, you are not responding because you do not have anything credible to say So the best thing is to keep quiet and pretend that kamalo is not existing though you are digesting everything that he is writing. Go back to previous discourses that we have on these issues and your responses if any has always been without merit and of little substance.
The only reason we are engaging you is because you are the most vociferous voice within the militancy of the UDP that is hiding behind different aliases in cyberspace to castigate PDOIS and spread unfounded rumors, malice and hate not only to misrepresent what PDOIS stands for but to also vilify its leadership.
What makes this so disturbing is the fact that you are an educated person and a trained lawyer. Our expectation is to have a debate of substance base on facts and on the merits of the different positions and viewpoints that we express.
Aside from being Nyarikangbano at the Bantaba In Cyberspace, you have now decided to talk to yourself here by being both Lafia and the person going by the name Gambian rather than talk to us. Bax has extended an invitation to you and I hope you will respond.
“There is no way they can mislead people on UDP’s position on coalition. Everybody understands that UDP is for;
1. An all inclusive opposition coalition comprising of all parties
2. The coalition will be for one five year term in tandem with pdois’s agenda 2011
3. The programmes of the coalition will be crafted by a technical committee comprising of representatives of all parties. That way, all parties can take ownership of the governance programme for all will have an input in it.
4. The president of the coalition government will not seek re-election and will not support any candidate in the subsequent election. This too is in tandem with pdois’s agenda 2011.
5. Decisions at government level will be based on consensus
6.At the time of the subsequent election, all parties will be in government unless they choose to resign before the election. In other words, all parties would be incumbent parties at the time of the election.
7. The coalition will be led by the biggest party, UDP, in line with international standards of coalition politics.”
This is the problem: all the items you have enumerated on the UDP’s position from point 1-7 are based on what? What is the legitimate basis for all these proposals with respect to the other opposition parties?
The presumption here is that there is going to be a coalition government. But the reality is that there cannot be a coalition government because it is not supported by a constitutional framework that underpins our manner of forming a government. It is simple as that. What is so difficult to understand about this.
This is the reason why we are arguing that a UDP led party coalition has no constitutional basis to form a UDP coalition government. A UDP led party coalition if elected to power can only form a UDP government. Why is this so?
First, we have a system of an executive presidency. The person who is elected president under his political party’s ticket if elected as a presidential candidate forms a government. He has the prerogative to include or not to include anybody in his government. And he is not answerable to anyone other that the people who elected him into office as a presidential candidate but save for a vote of no confidence in the national assembly that must be validated with a referendum.
How then can this elected person who is constitutionally mandated to form a government turn around and form a coalition government which has no basis in either fact or law?
With a parliamentary system there is a constitutional basis in fact and law where a coalition government can be constituted.
If a candidate for prime minister do not have the number of parliamentary seats required to form a government, opposition political parties can form a coalition to combine their parliamentary seats to meet the required number of parliamentary seats to form a coalition government. Even then such arrangements are duly constituted with public declarations of intent and content which are legally binding to all parties concern.
In view of the aforementioned let us now look into the UDP’s position on coalition:
1. An inclusive opposition coalition comprising of all parties.
The question then becomes a coalition to do what? How is this coalition to be constituted and what is or are the frames of reference? Lafia can you answer these questions please.
2. The coalition will be for one five year term in tandem with PDOIS’s agenda 2016.
I presume with the word coalition we are talking about a coalition government. In this regard there is no constitutional or legal basis to form a coalition government given what is constitutionally stipulated as to how we form our government.
If UDP is the party that leads such a coalition and a presidential candidate is running under the banner of the UDP, then if that presidential candidate is elected to power, the UDP is constitutionally sanctioned to form the government.
Notwithstanding, the UDP presidential candidate who is now elected the president can opt for other members in his coalition to be part of his government. This is left to his discretion.
The question of term limits is a policy decision that may or may not be considered. If considered it can form the basis for a constitutional amendment which will establish it as a law.
The above is different from agenda 2016 and the kind of coalition PDOIS is advocating for which is reflected in the constitution of the UNITED FRONT.
In essence the United Front is a political framework that has the constitutional basis to support a presidential candidate just like the UDP as a political party has the constitutional basis to support a presidential candidate. The only difference is that the UDP’s presidential candidate owes its legitimacy to the UDP party whereas the United Front presidential candidate owes it legitimacy to the United Front. One will be a UDP government and the other will be a United Front government. The nature of their coalitions is only a matter of legitimacy.
Not to make this too long I will continue with number 3 in another posting. I hope Lafia will actively engage in this discourse especially to respond to the questions I asked so that everyone can see where we are both coming from.
.
Forget about Kamalo and let’s move on with unity without pdois. All what I have stated above have been talked about in the media by the UDP over and over. So people cannot be misled by Kamalo the slim shady.
Thanks
Reply
Samba Fye, have you not seen that no one is responding to Kamalo here? There is no way they can mislead people on UDP’s position on coalition. Everybody understands that UDP is for;
1. An all inclusive opposition coalition comprising of all parties
2. The coalition will be for one five year term in tandem with pdois’s agenda 2011
3. The programmes of the coalition will be crafted by a technical committee comprising of representatives of all parties. That way, all parties can take ownership of the governance programme for all will have an input in it.
4. The president of the coalition government will not seek re-election and will not support any candidate in the subsequent election. This too is in tandem with pdois’s agenda 2011.
5. Decisions at government level will be based on consensus
6.At the time of the subsequent election, all parties will be in government unless they choose to resign before the election. In other words, all parties would be incumbent parties at the time of the election.
7. The coalition will be led by the biggest party, UDP, in line with international standards of coalition politics.
Lafia, we will continue with number 3 on your list.
3. The programmes of the coalition will be crafted by a technical committee comprising representatives of all the parties. That way, all parties can take ownership of the governance programme for all will have an input in it.
You are being very sneaky in the way you phrased this proposal. I wouldn’t say crafty. When you talk of coalition are you talking about a coalition government?
This takes us back to the question of legitimacy. Does the UDP party has the legitimacy to form a coalition government after it has been elected into power to form a UDP government? The answer is in the negative. The UDP party can only form a UDP government.
This is why we argue that a UDP led coalition is not practical. And you wonder why PDOIS will not buy into this political charade.
For the sake of argument let us examine this proposal thoroughly. When is the technical committee going to craft the programs of the coalition before it is elected to power or after it is elected to power? I hope you understand the implications of what I am driving at.
It is totally irresponsible for a government that has been elected and given the mandate to govern to turn around and constitute a technical committee to formulate its programs. Such a government should have a program in place before being elected into office.
What if the technical committee comprise of representatives of all parties could not agree on the programs that your government want to facilitate? What if they want to promote programs that your government would not want to implement? What if? what if? no doubt will be the nature of such a proposal.
Lafia, I will give you chance to respond before we move to number 4 on your list.
For what its worth ?
It becomes apparent that even if President Jammeh wanted to retire, he would be hard pressed to hand over power to any decenable force capable of giving a clear and determined leadership”
That would be coup d’eta proof for the next 10 years?
Which would be fit for purpose.
Mr Sallah…has presented his credentials with a fully inclusing road map for Gambia’s economic recovery.
Mr Darboe’s case may well be buttressed by having the bigger number of opposition votes.
But under present rules is too old to stand as President.
As it stands President Jammeh has more Mandinka votes than the UDP.
From the impartial observers point of reference….
The combined opposition and dissident movement is fractured to the point that there is no definitive and recognised central command structure capable….or forming an acceptable majority government.
Add to this the online charecter assassination of all the opposition leaders is grossly counter productive..and bordering on the ridiculas.
One could imagine President Jammeh standing on the steps of the Statehouse…..screaming…
“A horse A horse….my kingdom for a horse ”
Looking for the fastest horse out of the chaos that is Gambia…to find an oasis of repose in Abu Dhabi
It is therefore not inconcievable…than once taking his retirement…under whatever circumstances….He would be begged to return…..to bring back some semblance of order out of chaos.
Perhaps now we understand why the international community as gone deaf and dumb….in recent times?
The Gambia is an immovable political object in economic free fall.
Fatou Jaw Manneh once suggested that in President Jammeh, Gambia has the leader it deserves.
May be the only solution is to ask Britain to put Gambia into administration recievership…..for a period of 5 years and to engage the electorate on forming a coalition government of national unity.
For it is clear that Gambia….is confused and wandering aimlessly over the abyss of oblivion.
Mike, you are right that under the current constitutional rules, Darboe cannot stand for the presidency again but that doesn’t mean UDP will not fill in a candidate and it certainly does not mean that UDP is no longer the biggest opposition party in The Gambia.
Thank you for noting that Jammeh has more mandinkas support than Darboe who is a mandinka, born and bred. You should also note that Darboe was also brought up by a prominent Wollof when he was attending High School in Banjul. His father supported a wollof politician, a close friend of his, against a mandinka politician; His children have aunties and uncles who are not mandinkas but wollof. He also has nieces who are fulas. So clearly, Darboe is an embodiment of Gambianess. Always, that needs to be made clear.
Thank you Alieu for your comments. You are confirming to all that not only me knows something about Halifa Sallah. It is a widely known issue in The Gambia and among Gambian communities the world over.
Thanks
We are far from being confused Michael… It’s a case of selfish political wrangling amongst the opposition with each stake holders assumingly hell-bent on entitlements to rule in one way or another…. Yet what is certain is that democratically the Gambia is FAR better off under any of the parties except under the current kanilai murderous devil… This makes me wonder what the fuss is all about…??? When you listen to the arguments, both sides seem to be raising understandable causes of concern which needed to be considered & addressed… But that’s not the END ALL… My question to the UDP, PDOIS, & all other camps of concern weary of being duped into sleepwalking into a coalition only to help your opponent to power…. Why can’t the leaders of opposing opposition parties if they are truly concern & not individually hell-bent selfishly, take a “political-holiday” where we all rally behind a neutral candidate MANDATED on one term ONLY just to terminate the devil…??? If UDP as largest political party are to be reasonable, they can’t continue to insist to demand to lead all & any political coalition in their own right….. Everybody knows NO individual party can do it alone in our current circumstance… I hope I’m proven wrong but with the illegal resources available to the kanilai devilish murderer & the rooted tyrannical manoeuvre at play, I don’t see any coalition winning excluding PDOIS & any other opposition for that matter… We need all & every single vote to surmount a serious challenge to stand a chance of reclaim our motherland from decadence…. The sooner all take serious note of this the better for us all… God helps Gambia; Ameen.
Bajaw, you are talking like if UDP alone should be concerned with our state of affairs. All parties should be concern and allow fairness and coalition principles to govern our relations and a possible Union, not ego. This is what Halifa needs to understand.
I share your frustration though and once again, thanks for your valued opinion.
Thanks
4. The president of the coalition government will not seek re-election and will not support any candidate in the subsequent election. This too is in tandem with pdois’s agenda 2011.
Lafia, we will move on to number 4. The problem that still persist is that all your proposals are premised on the basis that the UDP can form a coalition government which it clearly cannot. Hence all your proposals have been rendered redundant.
However, just for the same of argument let us look into these proposals,
Mind you Agenda 2011 is a completely different framework which establishes a constitutional basis that not only support a presidential candidate but also facilitate a process in which opposition political parties can come together and form a United Front. And the front has legitimacy as a political party.
This is the reason why Halifa, Hamat and Gomez can bring their parties to support a presidential candidate under the banner of the United Front. They went through a primary process and elected Hamat Bah to be the presidential candidate for the United Front.
Like the UDP party led coalition in which a UDP government can only be formed, in the United Front coalition a United Front government can also only be formed. The NRP cannot form the government despite the fact that Hamat Bah was the presidential candidate.
So PDOIS’s coalition formula is completely different from the UDP’s party led coalition agenda.
Lafia & Bajaw.
I have known you both as comitted Gambian patriots online for many years. That is why I will not take any one side in these seamless arguments…that never go any where except round in circles.
In my experience…..tribalism is a dead duck in Gambia. Those who would try to introduce it into any sensible argument are just plain silly.
So my advice ……Take it or leave it…..is forget about it.
It has come to the time when the opposition must decide if it wants to be a “player” in the future direction of Gambia. Once taking that decision…..they must then decide on a comibined or individual strategy before the next election.
They lack many resources…this is true. But what they don’t lack is experience.
Some of the contributions on Kairo News…are very enlightening and stimulating.
Let no one doubt anyones sincerity.
But pesonal attacks against party leaders are counter productive. Whats more they are bordering on defamation of charecter.
From this viewpoint….it appears that if anyone has a grudge against a leader someone…. somehow will raise claims of mal practice without any evidence or tangible proof other than hearsay.
Angry words spoken….. can be a powerful barrier to truth.
Even worse when the response is conducted with equal measure.
I have followed your debates from Freedom News to Maafanta to Jollof News and now Kairo News…since 2006
I am included in your audience.
Surely now is the time for some constructive conclusions to be established.
With Respect.
Very well said mr scales , ” tribalism is a dead duck in Gambia “.
Mike, I have only been around for 2 yrs. That’s not several. You have given me a name in one of your postings that I do not recognise. Anyway, petty stuff, not worth my time.
Tribe has become an issue for at least two politicians in The Gambia though, and that makes it a subject of legitimate public discourse.
Thanks for your kind advice.
Kindest regards
Thanks
Michael, you’ve got it wrong on my side, I’m NOT arguing with Lafia La Manju, NEITHER with anyone else for that matter but being FERVENTLY concerned, NOT frustrated, for the innocent lives being stifled under the current murderous kanilai syndicate which could’ve otherwise been stopped in the tracks IF our current opposition leadership can come to reason & put “Our House” in order collectively…. All of them knows NONE of them can do it alone party wise; my question to them will always be, why can’t they value Gambia FIRST, & why do any of them believe their individualistic gains matter MOST above anything else…??? As for their individual characters, ANYBODY aspiring for public office MUST be prepared to cleanse their shabby characters as they will be SCRUTINIZED, NOT “assassination” for honesty by the people they sought to rule over…. It’s the same EVERYWHERE else including in your very community UK, so why not in the Gambia…??
Lafia, I’m for Gambia ONLY THROUGH & THROUGH, & always lend my ears for both sides of the arguments here & for any other party willing to reclaim the motherland….
Why can’t we have your individual opposition leaders offer some truce if they can’t come to terms among themselves for the sake of Gambia ONLY & anything else to come after that, & consent to us all rallying behind a neutral coalition candidate independent of any party affiliation to restore SANITY back in our ONLY home…? Only then we can take them SERIOUSLY. May God help & bless Gambia; Ameen.
Thank you.
Bajaw my heart screams out with you over folly of our political leaders as well the on-line warriors here. The essential they make sure is ignored,the petty and inconsequential they scramble over the last word. Only you I see coming out with anything fresh, like a neutral non-party bound flag-bearer, that is good but and even better and more conprehensive strategy, and does not exclude yours, is the much debated proposal, A Possible Way Forward, ran on these pages several months ago. What happened that proposal?
Samba, the Gambia our motherland & ONLY home, matters most & must always come first above all, & anything else follows… It’s time our ‘selfish’ politicians stop taking us for fools & do the right thing selflessly REQUIRED & EXPECTED of them in their positions for us to take them seriously…. All signs clearly indicates we are heading a destructive part under the current murderous kanilai devil & criminal syndicate who will NEVER abdicate incumbency voluntarily UNLESS flushed out…. Why do they think like anyone else they & families will be spared in any strife, God forbid…??? God help & bless Gambia; Ameen.