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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
 Posted - 01 Dec 2010 : 01:49:46
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United Democratic Party [UK Chapter]
Communication Paper- December 2010
UDP UK was founded in February 2010 as an affiliated body of the United Democratic Party, The Gambia’s largest opposition party. The group was formulated by Gambian citizens living in The United Kingdom, who are concerned by the degrading state of democracy and governance in their country, The Gambia, since the military coup that brought President Yaya Jammeh to power in July, 1994.
UDP-UK having recognised the level of threat the APRC regime poses to The Gambia’s notoriety as a peace loving and just society which has hitherto been a forerunner of democracy and democratic values in the African continent, is concerned that;
I. President Jammeh came to power, first and foremost, by force of arms and has since continued to use threats to bully the Gambian people to submit to his rule.
II. The APRC government has established a sham democracy in The Gambia, with a parliament made up of the president’s cronies and stooges who rubber stamp everything he brings to the House and dance to his tunes all night long.
III. The APRC regime disenfranchised Gambian citizens living abroad, who contribute tremendously to national development, by denying them their constitutional right to vote in public elections. All countries in our sub-region have preserved the voting right of all their citizens whether living at home or abroad.
IV. The APRC regime consistently works toward the destruction of opposition parties and any other progressive movement that holds divergent and dissenting views to that of the government.
V. The regime is also hell-bent on muzzling press freedom with utter disregard to due process. The arbitrary closure of the Private FM Radio Stations, Citizen FM and Stud FM, and the Independent Newspaper are typical examples.
VI. Arbitrary dismissal in the civil service, unlawful detentions and disappearances of Gambian citizens are now endemic leading to increased fear and insecurity of individuals in the country.
VII. Poor management of the Gambian economy characterised by excessive borrowing and conspicuous consumption, is fuelling hardship for ordinary citizens who have to endure daily increases in cost of basic commodities and services.
VIII. Meanwhile, President Jammeh who in the early days of his unlawful usurpation of power, campaigned on the slogan of fighting to end corruption and the flamboyant indulgence of public servants, has now become one of the richest, if not the most, political leaders in our sub-region.
IX. The politicized nature of the Gambian Public and Civil Service is encouraging the type of political bullying that is forcing many public and civil servants as well as members of the security forces to personally deliver free labour on the president’s many farms.
X. President Jammeh, as head of state and government, also has his business tentacles extended virtually to every sector of the Gambian economy competing with small farmers, bakers, transporters, butchers- the list goes on- and often pushing them out of business and livelihood.
The Chapter urges all Gambians to take cognisance of the fact that every day, month and year of the APRC misrule is sowing seeds of long term damage to the tranquillity of our society and thereby putting the future of our children and grand children at risk. We therefore have a historic responsibility to work together as Gambians, to save the future of our great country. In this respect, UDP UK calls on all Gambians, both at home and abroad, to join the UDP and its leader, Alhagi Ousainou Darboe, in their bid to constitutionally remove the APRC government from power in this upcoming 2011 presidential election. We consider this to be the fierce urgency of now.
The United Democratic Party has pledged, if elected, to [among other things]:
- Make credible political and constitutional reforms that would nurture in a vibrant democratic society based on respect for the rule of law and the fundamental principles of democratic representation, and in which citizens are able to exercise their fundamental rights and freedoms without undue state interference.
- Introduce a presidential term limit into the constitution [this would be an entrenched clause] as a way of ending the culture of self perpetuating rule.
- Strengthen and safeguard the independence and integrity of the judiciary particularly the criminal justice system.
- Make tangible investment in the productive sectors of the economy so as to stimulate growth, and to judiciously appropriate taxpayers’ money.
- Create an environment conducive for enabling Gambians of every background to participate effectively in the socio- economic and political developments of their country.
- Extend voting right to every Gambian living abroad.
- Adopt a decentralised form of local government administration that provides significant autonomy to our local government institution.
2011 Presidential Election; the Defining Moment
UDP UK is currently co-sponsoring a Voter Engagement Initiative recently launched by the UDP as part of preparations for the 2011 Presidential Election. The purpose of this programme is for the leadership of the party to meet voters in their villages and towns, and to listen and share with them the party’s ideas for a Gambia that offers a better future to her children.
The initiative involves a weekly constituency visits by the party leader using a light convoy, and covering approximately 1800 villages and towns throughout the length and breadth of The Gambia. The cost of this programme is estimated to be D50, 000 per month, and is expected to run right up to the 2011 Presidential Election.
The solution to the difficult circumstances we face as a nation is in our collective hands and as a result, all of us must assign ourselves a role in the shaping of our country’s future. It is for this reason that we urge all Gambians living in the United Kingdom and mainland Europe to assert ownership as sovereign citizens and join us in an aggressive fundraising campaign to support this programme. Anyone interested in making donation[s] to the campaign or would like to support the Voter Engagement Initiative in another way or form, is hereby urged to contact the UK coordinator by email; gambiafor@gmail.com or by phone on [+44] 07581329381 or [+44] 07760969367
UDP-Sweden
We are delighted to inform our brothers and sisters [Gambians] living in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries that UDP Sweden Chapter is now up and running. Those of you who would like to join the chapter and help bring it up to speed are hereby urged to contact the interim coordinator, Mr. Kebba Sanneh, by email: nyanchor22@hotmail.com.
Kebba is an enthusiastic political campaigner with vast experience and wisdom under his belt. He is a well educated Gambian, and has being involved in political organising for many years now. He is currently the Campaign Manager of a leading Swedish- Gambian politician.
With Kebba’s expertise, we are confident that UDP [Sweden Chapter] will soon become a vibrant chapter that adds value to the party [UDP] as a whole. We urge all supporters and Sympathisers of the UDP in Scandinavia to give Kebba their unreserved support. The ultimate aim is to formulate a chapter based on democratic principles and the ideals of the parent body, the United Democratic Party. We wish you all the best in this very noble endeavour and look forward to reporting your progress to the Secretatrait in Banjul.
Long lived the United Democratic Party!!!
And long lived our Republic!!!
Thank you.
THE END.
Issued by UDP UK
London, United Kingdom
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I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
Edited by - Nyarikangbanna on 01 Dec 2010 01:56:13 |
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shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2010 : 12:47:03
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The United Democratic Party has pledged, if elected....(Nyari)
It seems like the only people racked in self doubt is the UDP leadership. The agenda is way too obvious. Why can't the UDP leader be bold and brazen like Nayari and Mai Fatty in their public declarations. We don't need you and Mr Fatty to attempt to add to your 'fortunes' by spinning the conspiracy that OJ and PPP are part of this grand scheme. They are in a better position to speak for themselves. The Gainaka eulogy of Sallah, Jatta and PDOIS won't wash your dirty linen. The coronation of Dobo is eminent and it sure will come at the back of a landslide victory in the 2011 polls. May i congratulate you in advance? By the way, won't you be better advice to tell Mr Fatty to get off his backside and go down to Gambia where he would be more useful to the 'strategic alliance' than deluding himself from the comfort of self-imposed exile abroad? He had trotted the globe in recent years more than the fit Ousainou Darboe and the PDOIS leadership combined. Therefore the excuse of being incapacitated by health reasons had ceased to wash moons ago. |
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sankalanka
270 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2010 : 19:45:11
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What I still cannot fathom in this whole talk of engaging other political parties; "strategic alliance" and let us all come an have a dialogue, is that the only framework that is in the public arena, and can serve as a basis for any negotiations for the political parties is PDOIS's Agenda 2011. And admittedly, Mr Fatty has also agreed with this observation.
And now for the "strategic alliance" to work, he is encouraging PDOIS to come into the fold and formally present their Agenda 2011 to the other political parties. The other political parties will then subject the document to a forensic evaluation, and will then agree on what to accept and what not to accept; and also agree on what to modify or what to add in. PDOIS should be willing to accept, and bind itself to whatever resolution the parties will eventually have to agree upon. If this is not an accurate description of what Mr. Fatty is asking PDOIS to do in his "strategic alliance" I stand to be corrected.
However, no matter how structured the "strategic alliance" will be, there are fundamental questions that are at the core of what the whole deliberations presupposes: regime change. And if I understand the dialectics correctly, the fundamental objective of the "strategic alliance" is regime change.
However, what would be the political alternative after the regime has been changed? This is where most Gambians would have cause for concern.
At the moment we know that the UDP is inclined towards a party-led coalition or alliance; and we also know that PDOIS is inclined towards a non partisan political coalition or alliance.
PDOIS is willing to accept any Gambian, who can emerge as a leader for this political alliance or coalition, and stand as a presidential candidate for all the opposition parties. It is, however, not clear if UDP is predisposed to this idea, for arguably they have maintained their stance, that by virtue of being the largest opposition party, they should of necessity lead any coalition or alliance, and their party leader by default should be the opposition presidential candidate. How the "strategic alliance" can be able to reconcile this difference in approach and outcome, will undoubtedly help in informing the larger Gambian polity of what to expect, should the opposition win the polls.
The opposition presidential candidate, although we can shy away from talking about it, is the most critical and important factor in the whole equation. Why? Because he or she is the one who is going to form a government. Therefore we need to know what to look for in this candidate, and what type of government he or she is going to form. Don't only tell us about coalition and alliances, but tell us also about the nature of the government that alliance or coalition is going to form.
Our system of governance is based in an executive presidency; a president who will have the mandate to form a government and conduct all government businesses. Once this president is elected, he can only be removed by the people through elections, or other parliamentary procedures.
Therefore the selection of the opposition presidential candidate is very important, for with or without a coalition, Gambians will be giving a mandate to this person to govern at least for five years.
Rene
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2010 : 20:20:12
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sankalanka
Your points are valid and debated previously particularly about the government system. You may have to some search to see the views on your last three paragraph. |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 02 Dec 2010 : 00:44:53
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quote:
Originally posted by shaka
The United Democratic Party has pledged, if elected....(Nyari)
It seems like the only people racked in self doubt is the UDP leadership. The agenda is way too obvious. Why can't the UDP leader be bold and brazen like Nayari and Mai Fatty in their public declarations. We don't need you and Mr Fatty to attempt to add to your 'fortunes' by spinning the conspiracy that OJ and PPP are part of this grand scheme. They are in a better position to speak for themselves. The Gainaka eulogy of Sallah, Jatta and PDOIS won't wash your dirty linen. The coronation of Dobo is eminent and it sure will come at the back of a landslide victory in the 2011 polls. May i congratulate you in advance? By the way, won't you be better advice to tell Mr Fatty to get off his backside and go down to Gambia where he would be more useful to the 'strategic alliance' than deluding himself from the comfort of self-imposed exile abroad? He had trotted the globe in recent years more than the fit Ousainou Darboe and the PDOIS leadership combined. Therefore the excuse of being incapacitated by health reasons had ceased to wash moons ago.
What is he talking about? Ok he has problems with Mai Fatty 's statement published in Gainako and he is now taking a swipe but I am not a member neither a supporter of GMC. So why should I be expected to be bothered?
You know, I love the razzmatazz but it would be nice to have it on something worthy of my time. Oh ok, I understand; it is the hysteria that is clouding judgements here and pushing the hysterics out of topic and into the gutters of incoherence.
Regards
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I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
Edited by - Nyarikangbanna on 02 Dec 2010 02:00:27 |
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terangba
Egypt
225 Posts |
Posted - 02 Dec 2010 : 02:29:10
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Sankalanka: Nit Ku Nule Dafa Buga Ngite; the whole palava is about who will lead. I know for sure Yahya will be in power for a while. I think people should focus on individual development. There is no credible leadership to unite the people against APRC. Every tom dick and harry wants to lead.
Mark my words PDOIS will not agree to Darboe leading and UDP will not agree to any other person leading. So this guarantees another APRC victory, Yahya's prayers have been answered.
Gambians will VOTE APRC because there is no alternative to APRC.
Wasalam
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God gave men dominion over the beasts and not over his fellow men unless they submit of their own free will. - Napoleon |
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shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 02 Dec 2010 : 12:05:45
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quote:
[i]Originally posted by Nyarikangbanna
What is he talking about? Ok he has problems with Mai Fatty 's statement published in Gainako and he is now taking a swipe but I am not a member neither a supporter of GMC. So why should I be expected to be bothered?
You know, I love the razzmatazz but it would be nice to have it on something worthy of my time. Oh ok, I understand; it is the hysteria that is clouding judgements here and pushing the hysterics out of topic and into the gutters of incoherence.
Regards
As always is the case with you, you feign dumb when the facts hit you. You know bloody well what i am on about. You pretend to canvass for a united opposition without precondition but would not hesitate to remind us that "if elected, the UDP has pledged.....bullsh!t." Like i told you before, if the UDP expects to be elected as the next government on its own merit let them solicit this previledge from the Gambian people and stop bothering the rest of the opposition. You, Mai Fatty and the UDP need to stop touting this "without precondition" nonsense when you are so obsessed with the "UDP has the largest political support base" mantra. Stick the "give to Ceaser what belongs to Ceaser" notion up where the sun don't shine. Isn't this notion in itself a precondition to any alliance talks. why would you want to impose a UDP precondition on us while dismissing outright any other? You hypocrites are so obvious in your agenda that it stinks to the high heavens. |
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 02 Dec 2010 : 12:41:33
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Ok Mr. Hysteric, give me all sort of roles and positions in the UDP. I have no doubt that the Gambian public knows very well that the UDP has elected party officials living in the gambia, who run the affairs of the party and unfortunately, I am not one of them. I am part of a support group in the UK, and we will continue to do everything we can to promote the agendas of the UDP as we understand them.
I leave you to continue to indulge in your hysteria.
Regards |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
Edited by - Nyarikangbanna on 02 Dec 2010 12:54:52 |
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terangba
Egypt
225 Posts |
Posted - 02 Dec 2010 : 14:29:05
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| Stop the fighting; neither UDP nor PDOIS is going to win. |
God gave men dominion over the beasts and not over his fellow men unless they submit of their own free will. - Napoleon |
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shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 02 Dec 2010 : 17:55:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Nyarikangbanna
Ok Mr. Hysteric, give me all sort of roles and positions in the UDP. I have no doubt that the Gambian public knows very well that the UDP has elected party officials living in the gambia, who run the affairs of the party and unfortunately, I am not one of them. I am part of a support group in the UK, and we will continue to do everything we can to promote the agendas of the UDP as we understand them.
I leave you to continue to indulge in your hysteria.
Regards
Quel âne!! You know no other agenda except the prophesy of Dobo. Keep posturing to oblivion as much as you want but you can never run away from who you are and what you represent. I will never cease to bring you back to your senses every time you feign momentary insansity. Your agenda is as good as written on your bloody forehead.
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 03 Dec 2010 : 00:38:53
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Allez! The hysteria has now taken over him completely.
My sympathy |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
Edited by - Nyarikangbanna on 03 Dec 2010 00:40:34 |
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sankalanka
270 Posts |
Posted - 03 Dec 2010 : 02:18:56
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sankalanka
"Your points are valid and debated previously particularly about the government system. You may have to some search to see the views on your last three paragraph."
Turk, if you can help me understand what may be wrong with my views on the last three paragraphs, I will duly take note.
Terrangba, yes, the tussle is about leadership and rightly so. We want to do away with all 'mansa' inclinations, after what we have gone through for the last 30 years, and what is unbelievably paraded before the eyes of the Gambian people as we watched scenes through Raaki on Gambian TV.
There should, therefore, be concrete proposals and arrangements that we should not end up helping to elect another "mansa." For given the nature of our political culture, and the power that is inherent in our system of governance, the next person elected president if given a free leeway, will inherit all the abhorent tendecies that we found wrong in both the first and second republics. And without term limits, we will be spending the next several years trying to dislodge that person.
Rene |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 03 Dec 2010 : 03:30:19
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Sankalanka
What? You sound you are defensive. There is nothing wrong. I did not claim your views were wrong on last three paragraphs? I agree with your views, i was just directing/guiding you that there were contributions that supports your view and more discussion on the issue you raised, and similar to your view on another discussion topic. There were objections when some pointed that one of the reason oppositions can not come together is the government system being presidential in Gambia.
this and
this |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
Edited by - turk on 03 Dec 2010 08:07:05 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 03 Dec 2010 : 08:39:43
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quote:
Originally posted by sankalanka
What I still cannot fathom in this whole talk of engaging other political parties; "strategic alliance" and let us all come an have a dialogue, is that the only framework that is in the public arena, and can serve as a basis for any negotiations for the political parties is PDOIS's Agenda 2011. And admittedly, Mr Fatty has also agreed with this observation.
And now for the "strategic alliance" to work, he is encouraging PDOIS to come into the fold and formally present their Agenda 2011 to the other political parties. The other political parties will then subject the document to a forensic evaluation, and will then agree on what to accept and what not to accept; and also agree on what to modify or what to add in. PDOIS should be willing to accept, and bind itself to whatever resolution the parties will eventually have to agree upon. If this is not an accurate description of what Mr. Fatty is asking PDOIS to do in his "strategic alliance" I stand to be corrected.
However, no matter how structured the "strategic alliance" will be, there are fundamental questions that are at the core of what the whole deliberations presupposes: regime change. And if I understand the dialectics correctly, the fundamental objective of the "strategic alliance" is regime change.
However, what would be the political alternative after the regime has been changed? This is where most Gambians would have cause for concern.
At the moment we know that the UDP is inclined towards a party-led coalition or alliance; and we also know that PDOIS is inclined towards a non partisan political coalition or alliance.
PDOIS is willing to accept any Gambian, who can emerge as a leader for this political alliance or coalition, and stand as a presidential candidate for all the opposition parties. It is, however, not clear if UDP is predisposed to this idea, for arguably they have maintained their stance, that by virtue of being the largest opposition party, they should of necessity lead any coalition or alliance, and their party leader by default should be the opposition presidential candidate. How the "strategic alliance" can be able to reconcile this difference in approach and outcome, will undoubtedly help in informing the larger Gambian polity of what to expect, should the opposition win the polls.
The opposition presidential candidate, although we can shy away from talking about it, is the most critical and important factor in the whole equation. Why? Because he or she is the one who is going to form a government. Therefore we need to know what to look for in this candidate, and what type of government he or she is going to form. Don't only tell us about coalition and alliances, but tell us also about the nature of the government that alliance or coalition is going to form.
Our system of governance is based in an executive presidency; a president who will have the mandate to form a government and conduct all government businesses. Once this president is elected, he can only be removed by the people through elections, or other parliamentary procedures.
Therefore the selection of the opposition presidential candidate is very important, for with or without a coalition, Gambians will be giving a mandate to this person to govern at least for five years.
Rene
Turk is right that you have sound ideas & valid points. However most of your comments, reservations and proposals have been addressed from previous Bantaba Gambian politics topics, especially these for you/readership to review and for further clarifications;
1. Why Can't UDP Mobilize Other Opposition Parties!!! under http://www.gambia.dk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9620
2 Darboe: Five Year transition could be legendary! under http://www.gambia.dk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9819
3. Halifa missing a life time opportunity for change! under http://www.gambia.dk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9791
4. Darboe Urged To Support Agenda 2011 under http://www.gambia.dk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9865 |
Edited by - kobo on 03 Dec 2010 08:43:53 |
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sankalanka
270 Posts |
Posted - 03 Dec 2010 : 15:32:51
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Thanks Kobo for the link to the related Bantaba topics, and indeed the issues has been thoroughly and exhaustively debated by the other Bantaba contributors.
I misunderstood Turks statement in directing me to other Bantaba related topics where such views, comments etc have been previously discussed and debated. Your observations are well taken.
Rene |
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Watchman
Gambia
174 Posts |
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| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
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