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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
 Posted - 12 Oct 2011 : 23:05:01
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17. AND FINALLY LATEST DEVELOPMENTS WITH FREEDOM ON-LINE NEWS Breaking News: Gambia: Gambia’s Presidential Hopeful Briefs The Press About Efforts To Dislodge Dictator Jammeh From Power!
"The leader of Gambia’s main opposition United Democratic Party Ousainanou Darboe, has expressed his resolve to unite Gambians, and restore the country’s discredited image if voted into office come November. The UDP leader was speaking with journalists on Monday, during a news conference coordinated by political activist Karamba Touray, who is also a supporter of the UDP US Wing.
The human rights Lawyer, who began his opening remarks by updating journalists about the status of the ongoing opposition talks for the proposed merger to tackle incumbent President Yahya Jammeh in the upcoming elections, said there are hopes for a possible opposition coalition. Although, the ongoing talks have been stalled largely by ideological differences among opposition parties.
Mr. Darboe’s party is calling for a UDP led alliance, while the opposition PDOIS represented by Sociologist Halifa Sallah, is pressing for a Convention to select a flag-bearer. Mr. Sallah, maintains that it is through a Convention that the proposed opposition merger will derive some degree of legitimacy—stressing that power belongs to the people.
However, UDP leader Ousainanou Darboe, held a different view about PDOIS’S proposal for an opposition Convention. Darboe, said there is no much difference between primaries, and a Convention as earlier proposed by the PDOIS.
The UDP leader, speaking on a personal level said he is not in support of Convention for the simple reason that he has never seen political parties with different policies, and agendas to embark on such a political exercise. He maintains that the UDP’S position is that the party with the largest following should be opportune to lead the merger.
The opposition is supposed to meet on Thursday to finalize their talks on the proposed merger, Darboe said. Mr. Darboe, adds that it’s too earlier for Gambians to be pessimistic about the ongoing talks. He said there is a possibility for a merger —adding that this is evident on the level of commitment on the side of political leaders, who devoted their time to attend the opposition meetings."
"Freedom Radio’s Seedy Ceesay, and Alhagie Mustapha Faye both spoke at length at the news conference. Mr. Ceesay wanted Mr. Darboe to explain what his party intends to achieve by forming a merger with other opposition parties. Mr. Darboe, in response said unity is strength. And having the existing parties throwing their weight behind the UDP will increase their numerical strength, he said.
For Talk-Host show commentator Alhagie Mustapha Faye, commended Mr. Darboe for speaking out against the dictatorship. Mr. Faye said after his radio discussion with PDOIS’S Halifa Sallah, he came to conclusion that Mr. Sallah’s party will not contest for the Presidency in the coming polls. Faye, he doesn’t understand why Halifa is pushing for a Convention when his party is saying that it will not sponsor a Presidential candidate. He said PDOIS should give up the idea of Convention, and rally behind the UDP to flush out dictator Jammeh from power.
Mr. Faye also expressed the need for the UDP to continue to engage the opposition NRP in the ongoing opposition merger talks. Darboe said the NRP has been adequately represented at the talks, and he is hopeful that by Thursday (13TH OCTOBER 2011) something positive will come out from the proposed merger talks." |
Edited by - kobo on 12 Oct 2011 23:10:46 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2011 : 23:53:41
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DAINAKO NEWS WITH Jerry Jallow Is the STGDP Overstepping the Mark?
By Jerry Jallow
"Yes indeed. In what follows I want to argue that recent STGDP statements are irresponsible and are dashing the hopes of all Gambians who wish to see a United Front of opposition parties. By engaging in such practices, the STGDP is trying to make itself relevant in the ongoing opposition talks. However, what they do not realise is that they would remain isolated from the current talks as they were initiated by the opposition parties rather than the STGDP. This means that there is no room for even the opinions of the organisation. By attempting engage in the talks, the STGDP is trying to rectify their miserable failure in the build-up to the 2006 election. By openly stating their support the UDP in the ongoing talks, the STGDP is trying to preempt the talks.
However, the input of STGDP is of no importance since it is the Gambian voters (the main stakeholders) who are demanding from their parties to engage each other. Therefore, the STGDP should spare us their opinions and let Gambians voters have their say in who should lead the country. It takes many years to acquire political capital, but it only requires one overstepping to erode the credibility gained through the years. The STGDP has now lost all credibility.
By attempting to interfere with the talks, the STGDP is trying to lead public opinion in favour of the UDP. However, only those who are completely blind to the truth or opportunists would follow this line which in my opinion is just a few. The STGDP support for UDP is misplaced as it has no impact whatsoever about the outcome. I have always maintained and continue to believe that there is no standard formula for coalitions. Every coalition is unique in one way or another.
The British coalition government is different from the South African one, both of which are also different from Senegalese. Therefore, my advice to the STGDP is that: Stop trying to preempt or trying to amend past failures and mistakes. By continuing to issue statements, the STGDP is doing a disservice to the Gambia and Gambian voters. So, keep your opinions to yourselves please as they are not needed in these crucial times of Gambian history." GAINAKO |
Edited by - kobo on 13 Oct 2011 00:40:57 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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