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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Oct 2011 : 12:02:21
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RELATED BANTABA TOPIC Waa Juwara ‘not surprised’ by opposition pact fail
THE DAILY NEWS WITH;
1. Things Fall Apart: Darboe Explains
"Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Juwara is irrelevant
In spite of his shocking political u-turn, Lamin Waa Juwara, leader of dormant ruling-party-aligned opposition-NDAM never misses out in the country’s political debate.
He jumps at every chance to chastise his former opposition allies for his own political failures, in particular and that of Gambian opposition in general.
He would not forgive them, especially Mr Ousainou Darboe, leader of main opposition-UDP, for the disintegration of alliance of opposition parties called NADD ahead of 2006 presidential election over the selection of a presidential candidate.
With yet another failure of opposition unity talks initiated by his former party, UDP, ahead of this year’s presidential polls, the firebrand politician, who knows no ceasefire, is at it again – shooting at any soul that moves in the opposition camp.
However, for Ousainou Darboe, a soft spoken astute lawyer cum political figurehead of UDP, his former chief propagandist turned political enemy is no longer relevant in the country’s political equation.
“As far as Juwara is concern, I would not respond to him. I respond to people who matter,” Darboe told KISSYKISSY MANSA at his Pipeline house on Friday during an exclusive interview on a range of issues ahead of the decisive Nov.24 presidential election.
NADD still haunts
But generally, when it comes to the hot issue of Gambian opposition’s failure in forming a united front against self perpetuating Gambian president Yahya Jammeh, views and opinions vary as wide as those who present them - it ranges from greed to lack of interest of the country at heart.
For instance, following a deafening clamor for opposition alliance ahead of 2006 presidential polls, Gambians in Diaspora invited all opposition parties to a forum in U.S where they have agreed to unite.
But according to Darboe, when a proposal for a party led alliance was put on the table, representatives of PDOIS, PPP and NDAM opposed it.
“I cautioned against the formation of another political entity because individuals can come together to form a party, but registered political parties cannot form a political entity,” he said.
“I suggested that the party that has the larger support should infact provide the candidate. When it comes to parliamentary, we look at the strength of various parties in various constituencies and support the party with bigger support in a particular constituency.”
The UDP leader explained that while negotiations were ongoing, two bye-elections emerged.
He went on: “In the Jarra West bye-election there was suggestion for independent candidate, but I said my party will not support a candidate on an independent ticket. After all, that is a UDP stronghold. We ended up fielding in a UDP candidate and he won.
“A similar one was proposed for Sareh Ngai and I told them I would not commit my party’s funds for independent candidate. That area was a PDIOS stronghold and the reasonable thing to do is to put up a PDOIS candidate there.
“That was the state of affairs until in April 2005 after signing MoU for the establishment of NADD; some insisted that NADD must be registered. I told them if you do, you will run into some constitutional problems because an individual cannot belong to two parties. The result of the registration, we all know,” Darboe explained.
Of course, the results was catastrophic as UDP and NRP unceremoniously quit NADD and joined forces, leaving smaller parties such as PDOIS, PPP and NDAM after Darboe’s bid for a party led alliance did not have the support of others, save NRP.
Both alliances suffered embarrassing defeat to the incumbent. But ahead of this year’s presidential polls, Darboe’s UDP mustered the courage to convene a meeting for all non ruling party aligned political parties for a possible united front.
Although the meeting did not achieve its intended objective, Darboe believes he had done what was expected of him.
“We all talked about it in the media, but I mustered the courage and took the initiative in the honest believe that what we all say in the papers is what we mean. But I never thought the issue of selecting a flag bearer would be a problem,” he said.
UDP leader however said he is neither disappointed nor surprise about the outcome of the talks because half way through the discussion, he knew it would not be an alliance of all parties.
“The convention was suggested and I said, convention takes place with people in the same party,” he said.
He pointed out, as in NADD, the idea of a convention it is the same, but with different approaches those that refuse to rally behind him are still holding firm.
“The most pragmatic thing to do was a party led alliance. If you do a convention in a presidential, when it comes to parliamentary will you do the same for the 40 plus seats.
Why the failures?
And when KISSYKISSYMANSA challenged Darboe as to why for several years, after several attempts, Gambian opposition parties can’t get united, his response was swift.
“It all depends on our views on how things should be done because there are differences in our views on how things should be done?” he said.
And KISSYKISSYMANSA’s follow up question was as well swift: “So, you can’t compromise those sacred views for the interest of the people?”
But Darboe believes that his party has compromised virtually everything, yet to no avail.
He said: “It is unconstitutional to prevent anyone from contesting elections and from supporting a candidate, but UDP agreed to the proposal that a presidential candidate who wins under a UDP-led alliance would become neutral after a five year transition despite the fact that transitions are for countries emerging from a state of conflict or military overthrow.
Nonetheless, Darboe, who declined to comment on the details of the convention for fear of representation, as well refused to apportion blame for the failure of the talks.
“I had told them, if we had succeeded, it would have been a mutual success. But now that it failed, as the convener, I take the blame.
“But I think I would have had a bigger blame, if I had not taken the initiative because everybody was looking at me as a bigger party.”
Can’t blow own trumpet?
The most common practice in forming an alliance against the incumbent is that a bigger party leads and others follow. This does not say that this majority principle is unbendable, but why is it not applicable to The Gambian situation.
And I asked Darboe: Is it that those opposing a UDP led coalition did not trust him or that they don’t believe that a UDP led government will provide a better leadership.
“That question should be properly addressed to those that have been refusing. It will be wrong for me to assign any reason for them,” he responded calmly.
“But will a UDP led government cater for all their needs?” I asked further. “We will cater for the needs of all Gambians,” Darboe replied.
He then went into his well-known undisputed profile: “All my life I have fought for justice. That has been my trademark. Infact some people believe I have been running a human rights organisation that has not been formalized.
“I have taken the former regime to the courts on its excesses and I have been taking the current regime to the courts on its excesses. I always stood by the weak and the poor and this is what I have been fighting for and this is what has landed me for the first time in detention during the former regime before I even got into politics.
“I have lost certain privileges because of my stands and I will continue on that. In 1996, I could have stayed away and do exactly what a lot of my colleagues are doing – amass wealth. I am not a very good lawyer, but I put efforts in my works.
“If anybody can not have faith in me there is nothing I can do about that, for I will not climb to the mountain top and blow my own trumpet.”
Hoping against hope
Apparently, the UDP-initiated talks for a united front ahead of this year’s polls have so far yielded no desired results, but concerned political parties have expressed the need and desire to try unity, again and again and again until such time that is late.
Darboe re-iterated this stands: “We hope that before the nominations, there will be some changes of heart. I just received regulations from IEC that candidates can withdraw even after nomination, but not later than Nov.17.
And he is hoping against hope that come Nov.24 there will be only two candidates running for presidency - one from opposition and one from the ruling party.
Author: Kissykissymansa with Saikou jammeh"Daily News
2. ‘Darboe Can’t Lead Gambia’
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Edited by - kobo on 27 Oct 2011 17:51:59 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 04 Nov 2011 : 20:48:46
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1. THE DAILY NEWS ‘My Potential Lies in President Jammeh’s Mal Governance’
"Wednesday, October 26, 2011
In this exclusive interview with our editor-in-chief, Saikou Jammeh ahead of this year’s decisive presidential election, the leader of main opposition UDP, Ousainou Darboe talks on a range of issues. Read on
You said president Jammeh will be voted out come Nov.24 presidential polls. Who will unseat him?
My party has gone across the country and has very intensive contact with the grassroots. We know that the people are disenchanted and my party, UDP and its alliance partners will serve as the vehicle for the change they are yearning.
Even without a bigger alliance of non ruling party aligned opposition parties?
Prior to the recent talks for a united front, my party has been on the ground and we know the state of affairs. The standard of education is low; salaries have been stagnant whilst the cost of living is on the rise. There is no guarantee of power supply and what is even worse is that president Jammeh is competing with market women in the vending of vegetables and other small consumables. So people are really fed up and want to get rid of him.
You sound so upbeat about victory, but this is contrary to what is seen in the surface. The views expressed in media generally favours Jammeh, less you unite?
Don’t be carried away by all the euphoria around president Jammeh. In January that was the sort of euphoria around Al Qathafi of Libya and Ben Ali of Tunisia. But beneath the euphoria, there is a deep seated discontent.
I am confident because I know what is on the ground - what’s prevailing in the countryside and in Banjul.
Of course, we can’t ignore the call for a greater alliance because the greater the number, the greater our chances. Infact, if we all come together, it will reduce ruling APRC to nothing.
Who are these your alliance partners when some of your traditional allies such as NRP and GMC, who declared support for a UDP-led alliance were said to vote against the proposal for a UDP-led united front?
As far as GMC is concern, I don’t want to make any comment. I know the leadership had made a public pronouncement in support of my candidature and I know the position GMC took during the recent talks.
Also, I can’t speak for NRP, but my recollection on that Friday was that NRP said, it will consult with the proponents of the convention because they did not understand all its intricacies and then discuss with UDP. I was myself taken aback when I saw that NRP voted for the convention. The future will tell. But that notwithstanding, we are in partnership with PPP.
Who are the proponents of the convention?
Well, PDOIS is the proponent and gets solid support from NADD and GPDP.
And did NRP consult you as promised?
I have since then not consulted.
What then are the potentials for UDP to exploit to unseat Jammeh?
Our potential lies in the mal governance of the Jammeh administration in every aspect – ranging from political governance to economic.
That takes me to this question: how is UDP very much like and unlike APRC as a party?
It is the commitment and political will; the sincerity and faithfulness. That is where we differ. Well, in theory we all share in common a view for a better Gambia.
How would a UDP government be like?
A UDP government would ensure that every citizen is treated with dignity; no citizen is subjected to degradation on account of his or her political affiliation or tribal lineage.
We will ensure that opportunities are made available to all Gambians irrespective of origin.
When I become president of this country, I would not single out people from Niani and Fulladu for scholarship as you have the Foni students association where people of Foni are being catered for.
We will make sure the quality of education is improved because we want to prepare a nation that will be competitive in this modern world and such a nation can only be prepared on a sound education footing.
We want to make sure hospitals are well stocked with medication.
I invite anyone to go off the main trunk roads and go into places like Nianija, Fulladu, Sami and even in Kombo and Banjul. Look at the Kairaba avenue road; everything is in a state of decay.
In any case, all development starts with the development of human beings and we will make sure that the people are not only fed, but are fed with good quality food.
How prepared is UDP towards the election?
I would not tell you we will win if we are not prepared.
But election is a month away, yet the political temperature is not as hot as expected?
That is because there has been a change in our tactics. Those days there were big rallies, but that is not the case now. We will of course hold rallies, infact we will have one on the 29 of this month, but real work is being done not through rallies, but through effective intensified grassroots contact.
When you say grassroots do you mean door to door?
In some places it is house to house. And in some places it is ward to ward.
What of the political environment, does it now allow opposition parties to go about with their activities unhindered?
Since the removal of former Inspector General of Police [Ensa Badjie], we’ve not had any problem with securing permit to hold rallies.
Not only the permit issue, but the fairness or otherwise of election is linked to the independence of the judiciary, electoral commission and public media should provide access to all parties. Are these available?
Let me say that in the past few days, IEC has initiated efforts geared towards making the public media accessible to all parities even before the campaign period. I wish the efforts of the chairman will bear fruit.
We had had meetings with some security units and representatives of GRTS and IEC chairperson has impressed upon them that there is need for them to allow other views to be aired on national media.
And we have been given assurance by GTRS that provided that materials are available, they will do what is expected of them.
Who is to provide those materials?
Well, it’s GRTS because they did not expect parties to provide them with cameras and transport.
It seems you are building confidence in the integrity of IEC because the last time I had an interview with you, ahead of your party’s congress last year, you expressed almost a total lack of confidence?
That is because at the time, my view of the IEC was very much influenced by the attitude of the IEC. Now that there is a change, we should praise them for that. And I believe that positive impression would grow.
What else would you applaud IEC for?
On the security aspect, too. Infact, the chairman asks us to send our request to police and GRTS and copy his office. I am sure he wants to make sure that requests are granted. That is positive.
What of the country’s justice system?
The judiciary is not one of the institutions that formed part of the electoral process. It only becomes part of it when adjudicating on election petitions, for instance, on fraud.
Yea, when matters of such arise, will you hesitate to resort to the courts?
At the level of the Supreme Court, I have no doubt that if there is credible evidence about electoral flaws, it would be adjudicated upon. I have no doubt in the integrity of the current panel under chief justice Agim.
Now that some of the rough edges have been smoothened, what are some of the existing challenges?
The shortness of the period of the campaign is a challenge.
Do you have all the required funding for your activities?
UDP belongs to the people. Its membership and leadership are funding it. We will put up a descent campaign and unseat Jammeh.
We are not as fortunate as APRC that gets 1.5 million dalasi from a Mauritanian for campaigns. That is unfortunate.
But there are allegations you go to Europe and U.S to beg for funding?
That is rubbish. We got our funds from Gambians. We have chapters in Washington, Seattle, Maryland and various cities in U.S. We have one in France and recently in Spain. These are people affected by the Jammeh administration’s mal governance. They could not vote but can contribute.
You have only one chance to unseat Jammeh. What is your take on this?
You are personalising issues, Mr Jammeh and that is not right. It is UDP that is contesting. I just happen to be a candidate. My situation should not be the focus.
But there is a general notion that the life of political parties hinges on the life of their leaders. We’ve seen instances when leaders died, the party died. Is UDP different?
That’s I’m saying. You can ask even those who were part of us and have now left, they will tell you that UDP is not run as a personal fief.
UDP will not wither away when the current crop of leadership exit the political scene. APRC is one such party where chairman can fire and hire any time. But if I disagree with Shyngle Nyassi, I cannot fire him because he was elected.
How do you respond to claims that UDP is tribal party?
I am somehow elated that they could not criticise the viability of my party’s programmes and they have nothing to say against us except to say that we are a tribal party.
If tribalism is operating in The Gambia, Jammeh will never be president. Before he became president, we fought against tribalism and anyone who wants to base his political survival on tribe is committing the most serious mistake.
Jammeh cannot escape the fact that majority of my supporters are Mandinkas just as majority of his supporters are Mandinka even though he is not a Mandinka. But we have fewer Jola supporters. If there is anyone who makes comments that offend other tribes, it is Jammeh, who consistently makes statements that offends even his Mandinka supporters.
Tell me some reasons why Gambians should turn their back on president Jammeh come Nov.24?
The cost of living is skyrocketing when salary levels remain stagnant. Pensioners cannot afford a bag of rice yet they go to the market as millionaires. The entire economy of the country is, but single-handedly managed by president Jammeh, who is in business of selling meat, vegetables, rice and sugar and so on to the extent that he doesn’t have enough time for matters at State House.
Local entrepreneurship is gradually dying; adequate attention is not given to agriculture and companies owned by bonafide Gambians have gone bankrupt.
There is no effective river transport. This can be done by getting companies to invest into it. The Gambia is enjoying relations with Ukraine, a country we can get to build vessels for river transport.
I would have expected that government would talk to GCCI to see how GPTC could be revived even if it means floating shares so that GPTC can start building its fleet.
We all witnessed that APRC wrecked its fleet and Jammeh get into his private business. We are not talking about disappearances, muzzling of the press, among others." Daily News
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Edited by - kobo on 04 Nov 2011 22:11:07 |
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