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mansasulu
997 Posts |
 Posted - 26 Jan 2011 : 17:58:10
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Does the defection of Ousman 'Rambo' Jatta really matter? Lets us take a more pragmatic look at what’s in play here. I believe that Rambo's defection to the APRC will have such a ripple effect that only history will show how damaging it is to the undoing of the UDP. In short, this will be the defection that will be heard loud and clear by those whom the future belongs to-the youth.
When Lamin Waa Juwara aka 'Mbarodi' left UDP, and in his words, for pragmatic reasons (be them personal or political, it does not matter) his main argument to this day, is that Ousainou Darboe is not your quintessential leader who leads from the front.
Time and again we have seen that in play. This is a man whose first instincts were to run to a foreign embassy in the immediate aftermath of a stinging election defeat as his followers were being brutalized on the streets. This is also a man who well versed in the law, is always a few steps behind in any confrontation his party has with the authorities... (a la the Femi Peters case). Never has Darboe put his cajones on the line when it mattered mostfor the betterment of the lives of those he wants to lead, or for causes he claims to champion.
Rambo’s defection in my opinion, cements some if not all the claims Juwara has been making all along. For once, both men do have “street cred” in that they not only talked the talk, but also walked the walk. Gambians are yearning for change and in the absence of a steady Captain in a sinking ship, pragmatic sailors will always do one of the following‘take over the ship, or jump ship’. This is exactly what Juwara and Rambo both did (they took a plunge). In as much as it may appear to have all the appearance of a ‘Judasque’ attribute towards Darboe or the UDP, I do not blame them for the particular turns they have each made—“self preservation has always been a natural human instinct.”
Anyone who does not think that Rambo’s defection will have an adverse effect on the UDP does not understand Gambian politics. For starters, Rambo is very much the future of the UDP in that he embodied the frustrations of the youth in a country whose future Jammeh is shaping. I have always believed that only a struggle within Jammeh’s generation can bring about meaningful change in the Gambia. Now this could be a change that Jammeh is forced to make and live with or it could be a change that puts a complete end to the current predicament that we as Gambians are facing. So the defection of Rambo in some ways undermines that struggle through no fault of his own (at least not wholly). That blame, I believe falls directly at Darboe’s feet.
If Darboe was to be made irrelevant or die in his sleep today, a crisis will surely ensure as to the actual identity of the UDP. If you do not believe that, reflect on the status of the PPP today and to a more devastating effect that of the NCP. There is a saying that “the graves are full of men who think that the world cannot cope without them.”
The concept of personality politics is at the core of the Gambian political system. Rambo will steer drones of disgruntle and frustrated youths in the APRC camp not only in Bakau (a UDP stronghold), but anywhere the APRC sends him. In the short run, I do not believe the APRC needs the youth to win the elections this year, because we still have a generation who have bought the concept of personality politics a generation ago and are not going to give it up today. Jammeh merely co-opted them from the PPP.
It does not take a lot of political ingenuity to know that: co-opt the youth of today, and you own Gambians for another generation or at least build a system that will outlive you should anything happen to you. Today, Jammeh is building a system that will sure outlive him, all with the help of spent forces who sold their souls to the concept of personality politics a generation ago, and also egotistical and selfish persons who are more invested in their own narcissistic legacies.
I am going to show up at the polls for one sole reason and vote for no one, but for that reason alone—a referendum, if there is one on turning Gambia into a Kingdom. I will proudly vote yes and go straight to bed with the hope that when I wake up ‘OPERATION ROCK BOTTOM’ will have begun in earnest.
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"...Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest..." Sura Al-Rad (Chapter 13, Verse 28)
...Gambian by birth, Muslim by the grace of Allah... |
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2011 : 18:09:46
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Hi masusulu, it is nice to see you expressing your opinion but can I correct yu on one thing; Lamin waa Juwara did not leave the party. He was sacked by a resolution of the central Committee of the UDP.
Regards |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
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mansasulu
997 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2011 : 18:29:50
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| I believe his presence in the UDP was already untenable by the time that "resolution" was adopted. To put it in a proper historical context, the UDP's central committee made that decision after he repeatedly called for Darboe's resignation in the aftermath of boycotting the elections in 2001. The dude was already on his way out. |
"...Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest..." Sura Al-Rad (Chapter 13, Verse 28)
...Gambian by birth, Muslim by the grace of Allah... |
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terangba
Egypt
225 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2011 : 18:58:30
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Mansa;
Good analysis. Do you think Juwara would have done better if he was UDP's Presidentail candidate? |
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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mansasulu
997 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2011 : 20:26:45
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| In short Yes. I believe he has more gravitas. |
"...Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest..." Sura Al-Rad (Chapter 13, Verse 28)
...Gambian by birth, Muslim by the grace of Allah... |
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2011 : 08:22:41
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quote:
Originally posted by mansasulu
I believe his presence in the UDP was already untenable by the time that "resolution" was adopted. To put it in a proper historical context, the UDP's central committee made that decision after he repeatedly called for Darboe's resignation in the aftermath of boycotting the elections in 2001. The dude was already on his way out.
Yes but the fact remains that he was sacked. He did not voluntarily leave the party. In fact, he has persistently vowed that he would be the last person to leave the UDP at free will.
You said Juwara has more gravitas but for us he was an erratic gaffe maker.
Regards |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
Edited by - Nyarikangbanna on 27 Jan 2011 20:47:03 |
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mansasulu
997 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2011 : 14:37:33
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| Point taken... |
"...Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest..." Sura Al-Rad (Chapter 13, Verse 28)
...Gambian by birth, Muslim by the grace of Allah... |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2011 : 21:08:45
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Mansa
I found your view is very pessimistic. Why does it have to be a dramatic solution for Gambian like 'operation rock bottom' while you are arguing the change will take a generations which I agree completely. To make things better in Gambia, first, one must realize, political process or leadership change will not make much differences. It takes social, economical, cultural change which require patience and long term approach. Things could get better slowly, but each positive change could accelerate the change with a multiplier effect. I think rather than 'operation rock bottom', 'personalities change', long term changing by changing social, economic and cultural realities is a better and more positive approach. |
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 27 Jan 2011 21:09:43 |
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mansasulu
997 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2011 : 22:18:13
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Turk, I agree with you assessment that I sound very pessimistic. My reason is that I do not see things getting better anytime soon. My generation is not ready to assume or make the necessary sacrifices to create a better future for ourselves and those coming after us. When I look other nations that have gained self determination before us and the paths they have taken to where they are today, I get the true picture of what is ahead of us. The older generation have eating our breakfast and lunch and they are now eyeing our dinner by trying to sell us personality politics.
The concept of personality politics has been a disaster and only when we wake up buy into the ideals of sound principles will we move forward. |
"...Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest..." Sura Al-Rad (Chapter 13, Verse 28)
...Gambian by birth, Muslim by the grace of Allah... |
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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2011 : 22:31:14
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If your lord WAA wanted at the time before to become UDP leader or as you said he had called for Darboe's resignation, why had he not challenge it through the popular conscent of the UDP party membership? OR put himself up as a candidate against Darboe?
Darboe never choose himself, the people choose him and dispite his critics, he remains so until he retires or is been replaced democratically.That is what democracy is all about.You see someof you fighting for a dead horse is pointless as that dead horse is more closely related to me than most of you but if you call yourself a true democrat, live and act by it Waa doesnot do that. He wants to be listened to but he doesnot listen to anyone.Not even Sir Dawda Jawara whom he calls his Uncle.How can such a person become a compitent leader?
Darboe may have ran to an embassy but never joined the butcher WAA with all, instead of joining PDOIS, PPP(Founded by his Uncle which he was a member before the coup) or join NRP, noooooooooooo he thought all those parties are not yet near to unseating Jammeh and he want to hold an office and is better to swallow his pride so for personal gains and join his aggressors. GREEEEEEEEEEEED WAA is so comparing Ousainou to WAA is not only an insult but putting a political knife through Ousainou's heart. |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2011 : 00:07:21
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Mansa
There have to be different solutions for different problems and different realities/situations. It looks like, so called western democracy ideals could turn to a 'personality politics'. Gambia is not divided based on ideologies. There is no 'left' and 'right' politics. It is more like, as you put that way 'personality politics' or 'tribal politics'. Democracy is not 100 percent proof system that will guarantee make things better. Some time, it could turn to chaos. After secular coup in 1960 by Atheist Turkish Military Junta, they drafted a constitution that has given lots of political rights to Turkish citizens. Student had right to political demonstration, union got their rights, political parties got their rights, journalist got their rights. But was Turkey ready for this. No. Next 20 years, Turkey fall under student anarchy, unstable coalition government where to find the majority, members of the parliament were sold like rams. Do you think, unity of opposition party is good? Just ask my father's generation, when two three parties formed the coalition, because of the differences in their ideologies, the parliament could not pass single legislation for 6 months. Freedom of speech is good, but not good for the country when other countries involved (I.E.USSR supported leftist students, USA supported Nationalist and Radical Muslims) and most university students advocated communism, sharia, nationalism and universities turned to chaos with violence. Even police could not enter universities as campuses were dominated by specific ideological groups. One university was leftist, the other nationalist, the other sharia. With the improve rights, many unions went strike, many lock-outs, Turkey was going to bankrupt. When another coup occurred in 1980 by the military, majority people wanted the coup and wanted constitution to change to from liberal to more strict. I am not saying liberal ideals, freedom of speech are bad, what I am saying is that some situations can't handle the liberal democracy. Things are getting better in Turkey now, not because of 'democracy' it is all about economy.
If your expectation is 'change' in politics. That is not going to happen tomorrow. And you are right it will take generations. This is what it is and accept the reality. But people can change the focus. There are lots of room to improve. Even joining APRC is not bad, one idealist can make a difference in APRC and within current system too.
I think Gambians are wasting too much time and energy with the expectation 'western type of democracy', maybe it is time to change the focus on long term change. I told that before, its maybe better Gambia to have either more conservative government or socialist type of government. Just look at east, the world is changing and nations do not have to have a western democracy to get better government. |
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 28 Jan 2011 07:13:08 |
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mansasulu
997 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2011 : 14:46:57
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Turk, as always I find comfort in the wisdom that exudes in your postings. I can't agree more with you. I think I am going to be on the fence of pessimism for at least the near future. Perhaps through old age and other forms of attrition and our "constitution" we can eliminate some of these "spent forces" who are hindering our progress. There has to be a free for all within our generation for things to get better.
You know our constitution puts the age limit for someone to run for presidency at 65. We will wait for that. This election cycle is wash. Just look around and see which of these spent forces will be around to even get on the ballot barring another coup that creates a new constitution. I do not have any forsight into the future but I hope that who keep burying their heads in the sand convincing themselves that spent forces will be here for ever will starting looking for new people to take over the torch for their respective parties. |
"...Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest..." Sura Al-Rad (Chapter 13, Verse 28)
...Gambian by birth, Muslim by the grace of Allah... |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2011 : 17:54:49
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CONGRATS & VERY IMPRESSIVE MANSASUULU! POLITICS IS A DYNAMIC PROCESS. THERE IS NOTHING MORE NEEDED TO CONVINCE OTHERS WITH YOUR POINTS & WISE THOUGHTS. HOPE YOU CAN NOW LAY YOUR CASE TO REST 
ACTION SPEAK LOUDER THAN VOICES |
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