 |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
toubab1020
12306 Posts |
 Posted - 30 Oct 2011 : 22:37:54
|
A bright shaft of light has descended at last :
"Given the entrenched positions that have been taken, and I couldn't see any other way around thing, we will end up exactly where we were at in 2006."
quote:
Originally posted by sankalanka
Nyari, what I find very interesting about these reactions and counter reactions to the developments that are unfolding in this political saga, is the things that are not being said. Everyone is reacting based on a position that one has earlier taken regarding this talk about an opposition coalition or a United front of opposition parties.
The people who are talking the most regarding these developments and their impending outcomes, are the people who have vociferiously defended a likely outcome only to realize that the political developments are not evolving as one anticipates. And to make matters more complicated and convulted they tend to make general statements, that doesn't bring any clarity to the issues but deepen the inherent contradictions.
It all started with opposition political parties wanting to form a coalition against the ruling government, because absent the second round of voting, none of them can individually defeat the ruling government.
How are they to bring all these different political parties together for the pruposes of forming a coalition, and present one single presidential cnadidate to contest against the incumbent president?
This is the question before NADD was formed and this is the question the opposition political parties are grappling with today, even in this late hour before a presidential election.
We all know the different arguments that have been advanced since the inception of NADD to facilitate a process that would bring about a single presidential candidate to contest for the opposition political parties.
However, the reality of the Gambia's political situation doesn't make a favourable outcome readily available. Given the entrenched positions that have been taken, and I couldn't see any other way around thing, we will end up exactly where we were at in 2006.
A race between three presidential candadites. After this presidential election, hopefully, the Gambian people will be able to do for themselves what the opposition political parties have not been able to do for them.
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
 |
|
|
toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 30 Oct 2011 : 22:47:19
|
I know you want to be early and well in time Sister O but surely THIS a bit TOO EARLY 
Just in case you cannot fathom what I am writing about,look here:
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/presidential-election-set-for-november-24
quote:
Originally posted by Sister Omega
I predict come November 14th,2011, the APRC will win the election and President Jammeh will still be President of The Republic of the Gambia. I also see Darboe again losing the election and coming up with more conspiracy stories why his party can't win. For the worst prediction of all I see Karamba beating his chest boring us senseless with his egocentric Anti- Jammeh rhetoric for the next four years.
So I am looking forward to November 15th to hear the outcome remember I told you so!
Peace
Sister Omega
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
|
|
kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 30 Oct 2011 : 22:48:55
|
I don't think we are disputing that UDP leader does not have mandate to contest for Presidency 2011 by UDP through its party congress; and him having the opportunity to lead? That opportunity is there for him at this latest talks being a leading contender to lead as flag bearer;
IF A UNITED FRONT/COALITION/ALLIANCE EXISTED OR PROPERLY FORMED UNDER ONE UMBRELLA BANNER; IN SPIRIT OF NATIONAL UNITY, PARTNERSHIP & SOLIDARITY, DICTATED BY THE WILL AND SINCERITY TO COMMIT TO SETTLE ON THE GROUND, "MERGE" FOR THE COMMON GOOD BUT NOT BRAGGING RIGHTS OF DOMINANCE OF OTHER COALITION/ALLIANCE PARTNERS AND CLAIMING THE PRIVILEGE TO TAKE-OVER BANNER AS UDP PARTY-LED/ THAT WOULD ALLOW UDP TO BE MAIN PARTY TO CHALLENGE INCUMBENT IN GUISE OF AN ALLIANCE BUT UNDER UDP TICKET; SIDE-LINING OTHER OPPOSITION PARTIES (FORMER RIVALS NOW ON COMMON GROUND AS PARTNERS) OR COMPELLING THEM TO TEMPORARY SUSPEND AND/OR DECIDE TO EFFECTIVELY BECAME DEFUNCT TEMPORARY; AND JUMP ON UDP BANDWAGON FOR PUSHING UDP TO POWER UNDER UDP PARTY-LEADING ALL OPPOSITION FRONT; RATHER PUSHING UDP LEADER TO POWER AS FLAG BEARER UNDER A UNITED FRONT |
|
|
|
shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 30 Oct 2011 : 23:11:27
|
| If the democratic process of individual political parties was the subject of discussion at this point in time, i don't think you will find me here. By the way PDOIS held its congress well before the UDP and have since elected individuals in their administrative capacity within the party. So what the hell are you on about? The issue here is a united front towards a transition government. Why is the UDP not willing to submit itself through the democratic process to elect a flag bearer for a transition government? But at the same time you want to mastubate over what the rest of the opposition are doing as well as how and who they are going to elect flag bearer. Some went as far as saying Hamat Bah will be elected because he polled the most numbers in previous elections. Ok, suppose that is case and suppose the UDP was in the same coalition, would they not have 'enjoyed' more privileges than the NRP who polled less than them in this logic. Why the hell do you have to insist on electing a king? How are 'coalitions formulated' in the world you live in and what world is that anyway? In the world the rest of the folks live in, coalition of the opposition are not formed at the preliminary rounds of election but at later rounds. Prove me wrong and give me an example anywhere on this planet where such a coalition is a success. If there were a second round of voting in the Gambia we would not be here discussing a coalition of the opposition at this stage. So stop preaching 'conventional norms' of coalition-making as if the rest ofn us come from another planet. They absence of the second round of voting is a highjack of our democracy by a clueless dictatorship with an unchallenged power. We want to take back our democracy and restore it to acceptable standards. Not to transfer unchecked power from one group to another. If you want to control unchecked power by virtue of your numbers, then go and claim your birthright from the people and leave the rest of the opposition alone. |
|
|
|
Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2011 : 02:01:23
|
'If the democratic process of individual political parties was the subject of discussion at this point in time, i don't think you will find me here. By the way PDOIS held its congress well before the UDP and have since elected individuals in their administrative capacity within the party'- saka
The above is not correct. What pdois said in their last congress, where they elected no official, was that they were going to reconvened another congress to elects after the date of the 2011 is being announced. Since then nobody heard from Halifa Sallah on the issue. Did anybody dare refute this? Well here is the resolution that isn't worth the paper it is written on. And PLEASE look out for the word in bold;
7. On internal or intra party democracy
The PDOIS Congress,
Taking note of the fact that that the party is a school that helps party members to come together to share knowledge and experiences on how to manage the affairs of a country;
Being Fully convinced that internal party Democracy is inconceivable without power being exercised by the party members to determine the representation in the party at all levels and further determine and implement the policies and programmes of the party;
Bearing in mind that PDOIS is a principle, policy and programme-centred party and not a leader-centred party and that the membership is required to be fully in charge of the decision making powers of the party and are supposed to be educators, mobilisers and organisers of the people;
Recognizing the urgency to assert, strengthen and expand the democratic character of the Party, which gives the membership power to determine those who are to manage its day to day affairs, on their behalf, if the Party is to be safeguarded from being centred around personalities;
Acknowledging that the membership must be an embodiment of collective political awareness if it is to exercise power to determine who is to handle what responsibility for the Party in an informed manner;
Therefore Resolves
• To foster the growth of party branches to enable the membership to develop understanding of issues of importance and build relation with each other to consolidate their organisational capacities and democratic characteristics at the village and ward level;
• To promote the convening of conferences of members and sensitisation workshops at the village, ward, district, regional, National and Diaspora levels before the end of 2010 in order to prepare the ground for the holding of a Congress immediately after the declaration of the date for the 2011 Presidential elections in order to elect party executive members.
• Initiate party political civic education and cultural activities to win the hearts and minds of the people and expand its membership base.
The congress to elect the exective never took place and that means Halifa has no mandate to speak or act for a dog let alone human beigns
Cheers |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
Edited by - Nyarikangbanna on 31 Oct 2011 02:34:21 |
|
|
|
shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2011 : 03:20:48
|
| What did i say wrong? I said PDOIS held a congress and sellected individuals in their administrative capacity within the party. It was from this admin functions that Sidia Jatta was chosen as inter-party delegate, Sallah as spokesperson amongst others. You on the other hand lied through your clenched teeth that PDOIS did not hold a congress since 2001. What they did not do was to elect an Executive to seek the mandate of the people, which was postponed until a nomination date is announced for Presidential nominations by the IEC. PDOIS had since decided that it will not seek Presidential mandate from the people as a political party. So what is the point of the second congress. Use your brains Nyari and stop cherry-picking for silly irrelevance about PDOIS to score cheap point. |
|
|
|
shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2011 : 03:41:47
|
| BTW Nyari, before your recent congress, UDP had not hell one since 1996, how the hell did they come to represent or speak for cats and dogs in 2001 and 2006? What a donkey! |
|
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11686 Posts |
|
|
Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2011 : 10:06:12
|
quote:
Originally posted by shaka
What did i say wrong? I said PDOIS held a congress and sellected individuals in their administrative capacity within the party. It was from this admin functions that Sidia Jatta was chosen as inter-party delegate, Sallah as spokesperson amongst others. You on the other hand lied through your clenched teeth that PDOIS did not hold a congress since 2001. What they did not do was to elect an Executive to seek the mandate of the people, which was postponed until a nomination date is announced for Presidential nominations by the IEC. PDOIS had since decided that it will not seek Presidential mandate from the people as a political party. So what is the point of the second congress. Use your brains Nyari and stop cherry-picking for silly irrelevance about PDOIS to score cheap point.
This is what I said (for those who understands english) and by they way Sidia Jatta does not and cannot identified himself as pdois for that would result in him loosing his parliamentary seat and therefore was never chosen as a delegate. In fact in the last congress of pdois in 2010 where they elected no executive, Sidia could not attend due to constitutional inhibition regarding his parliamentary status;
'The last time the PDOIS leadership submit themselves to a congress for re-election was in 2001.That mandate have since expired meaning that Halifa has no mandate to speak or act on behalf of the people who constituted PDOIS. Ironically, this is the same guy who keep talking about the soveriegnty of the People but in practice,he is manifesting a dictatorship that is only reminiscent to Idi Amin of Uganda.'
Another point is, these noisy disciples don't even know pdois and certainly have no clue about Halifa's ideology. All they do is the yelling rather than the analysis.
Thanks |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
|
|
|
Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2011 : 10:08:13
|
Someone please tell me this ain’t so. Will you?
Dear Editor,
I recently read with consternation and disbelief about the pending signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for
the formation of a “united front” by some opposition parties; namely, GMC, GPDP, NADD, NRP and PDOIS as reported
by Foroyaa, PDOIS’s mouthpiece. To begin, there seems to be too much uncertainty and a lack of clarity surrounding
this supposed union of renegade opposition parties. I call them renegades, because they seem to be acting out of a
sense of frustration with UDP’s Ousainaou Darboe. And it seems even those who may be intimately involved or at the
very minimum, are close to some leaders of these opposition parties, do not have a clue which parties will be signatories
to this “big joke” they call “united front.” I am told GMC’s Mai Fatty did not approve of Assan Martin misrepresenting
GMC’s position and that in reality; he still supports Ousainou Darboe sole candidature for the opposition. Secondly, it is
still not clear whether Henry Gomez’s GPDP agreed to sign onto a “united front” or not. And as for NADD!! Who is the
hell is NADD by the way? I thought NADD has been dead ions ago; or is it the resurrection of the ghosts of an era that
brought about perhaps the most contentious, but certainly the nastiest period of political rivalry; between UDP and
PDOIS overseas supporters and that bitterness is still and well, and often bursts out to the surface with the slightest of
provocation.
But coming back to the issue at hand, I think this proposed opposition union is a big joke. How a united front can be
formed without the largest party, the UPD, which has consistently registered more than a quarter of the votes cast in
each election for the past three election cycles as opposed to 5% for NRP and 2.5% for PDOIS, is beyond my
comprehension. If PDOIS’s Halifa Sallah is strategizing with NRP’s Hamat Bah to support Mr. Bah’s candidature, that
would be fatalistic or call it political suicide. And this works against Gambians’ interests. This proposed coalition
between NRP and PDOIS reveals the dark side of the strange marriage between the two former bitter rival parties. Many
Gambians are of the opinion that Hamat Bah and Halifa Sallah are both Yahya Jammeh’s lackeys; I am not sure about
that, but what I do know is that their actions do strengthen Yahya Jammeh’s hand and it stand to logic that conversely
this will weaken Darboe’s. No matter what the disagreement between the two and Darboe is, rebelling against Darboe for
rejecting a “convention” by giving Jammeh the votes, ought not to be the way to behave.
It would seem Bah and Sallah are acting like kids throwing temper tantrums when they don’t get their way.
But even more important still, it appears Halifa Sallah’s primary interest is to win the argument, not the
elections. After the stupid idea of a “primary” failed, he is now sticking to his guns with another ridiculous idea of a
“convention” and is willing to give the elections to Yahya Jammeh for this reason. How selfish is that? It speaks to Halifa
Sallah’s ideological rigidity, but also to the fact that to him the rejection of both a primary and a convention will be a blow
to his ego which in his imagination will lessen image, his standing and his “godliness” to his fanatical disciples. And since
Halifa Sallah is intellectually still struck back in the 1970s, and is beyond redemption, I do hope my friend Hamat Bah will
come to his senses and realize what he is doing helps no one except Yahya Jammeh. Halifa Sallah’s motto should read
like this: Give me a convention or I will give you Yahya Jammeh for another five years. How sad!!
Sgd: Mathew K Jallow
source;maafanta |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
|
|
|
kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2011 : 10:33:48
|
1. United Front:"ONE GAMBIA ONE PEOPLE ONE DESTINY"
2. GAINAKO NEWS MOU FOR A NEW GAMBIA IN THE HORIZON
3. FOROYAA National News : Efforts to unseat Jammeh in November 24th polls gather momentum As 4 parties agree to put-up one presidential candidate
"Four Gambian political parties and a personality from civil society have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a United Front to support a single presidential candidate in the November 24th polls at a ceremony held on Saturday, 29 October 2011 at the Atlantic Hotel in Banjul.
The members of the four opposition parties namely the Gambia Party for Development and Progress (GPDP), National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD), National Reconciliation Party (NRP) and People Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) gathered at this historical event to witness their leaders committing their parties to working together in a united front to support one candidate to contest the forthcoming presidential election.
Mr Henry Gomez, Honourable Sidia Jatta, Mr Hamat Bah and Mr. Halifa Sallah signed on behalf of GPDP, NADD, NRP and PDOIS respectively, while Lawyer Assan Martin signed as a person aspiring to be endorsed as an Independent Candidate at the convention.
After the reading of the Vision and Mission Statement of the MOU by Mr Musa Sonko and which was translated in the national languages, the grassroots supporters of the parties i.e the women, elders and the young people took the floor to express their opinions.
Amid the high spirit of optimism, supporters of the four political parties at the gathering spoke passionately on the need for change. They lamented the hike in the prices of basic commodities, the flagrant violations of human rights and the high unemployment rate as some of the reasons why the APRC regime should not be returned to office come 24th November 2011. They pledged to support and work for the victory of the United Front at the November 24 Presidential election.
This was followed by the singing of liberation songs. The leaders then took the floor.
In his address to the gathering, Hon. Sidia Jatta, the NADD National Assembly Member for Wuli West, said there is a fundamental difference between this latest MOU and the one signed five years ago establishing NADD.
"Five years ago, we had a ceremony similar but different from this one. Five years ago, we had a ceremony at Palm Grove Hotel to sign a Memorandum Of Understanding creating the National Alliance for Democracy and Development but the fundamental difference with this one is that nobody was required to take an oath to commit himself or herself, body and soul to the implementation of the NADD MOU.
However, he added that this time round the flag bearer of the United Front is prepared to swear to commit himself or herself to the implementation of the programme contained in the MOU of the opposition United Front.
Mr Jatta said that he is ready to give his life for the liberation of the country.
"Today, this morning, we are making history. We are making history in the sense that we have men and women, young and old who are committed and dedicated to the cause of this country,” remarked Mr Hamat Bah, leader and Secretary General of NRP.
He said the four political parties came together after the realisation that no single party can unseat the current regime which he described as “intolerant”.
Bah, a former National Assembly Member for Upper Saloum, admitted that the negotiations leading to the establishment of this opposition United Front were difficult, tough and bitter.
Despite the hard negotiations, Bah said the four parties reached agreement because they all saw the need for change that will be ushering a new era of democracy and rule of law in the Gambia.
The NRP leader paid tribute to the women of the four political parties, saying this United Front could not have been realised were it not for the intervention of these women.
He assured the people that a United Front victory at the coming polls will not be resisted because the new government will not embark on a witch hunt or revenge and that it will assure every Gambian of his or her security and safety. He said that if the crimes of Apartheid could be handled without witch hunt then those in the government today should not fear any victimisation. He called on all who are currently dissatisfied with the APRC to leave the party and join the United Front where they would be treated as equals.
The leader and Secretary General of GPDP Henry Gomez called on all Gambians to commit themselves to the cause of the United Front to bring about a change that serves the people of The Gambia. He urged the people to put the interest or will of the Gambian people at the forefront.
"It has always been predicted that a coalition or united front or alliance will fail, but this I believe is dependent on what we have agreed on here and whether we are committed to execute what we ourselves have put in place," the GPDP Secretary General said.
He said the prophets of doom for the opposition “have been proven wrong by what has happened today.”
As such, he added, every body is obliged to act in the best interest of not only today but future generations as well.
Lawyer Martin, a Human Rights Defender, in his statement said he is compelled to be part of this United Front for political change because his conscience no longer permits him to be oblivious of the persistent violations of the fundamental rights of the people. He cited the case of one man who is still languishing in the remand wing of the Mile 2 prison for fourteen years now without being charged or released despite his numerous unsuccessful efforts in bringing the matter to the attention of the legal authorities.
Lawyer Martin added that this and many other cases of impunity where persons are released by the courts and yet detained in the jails are some of the reasons that compelled him together with other patriotic Gambians to work towards bringing about a democratic political change that will usher in a Gambia where the rule of law, respect for human rights and freedoms and democracy prevail. He said a society is doomed if it is not based on the foundation of rule of law.
“History has its demands; the present has its demands and posterity has its demands. We must listen to the demands and answer to the call of duty if we are to be seen as patriotic citizens,” remarked Halifa Sallah, Secretary General of PDOIS
He said they are gathered there to answer to the demands of the people; to answer to the calls of over 61.5 percent of the population who live in abject poverty.
"We are here to answer to the calls of 300 thousand young people who every 12 years are dumped in the streets and are searching and scratching the earth for jobs and survival,” said the PDOIS Secretary General.
"We are here to answer to the calls of those pensioners who day and night toil and moil from morning to evening until they reach 60 years and are only given starvation allowances,” he said, compelling the crowd to a moment of soul searching.
Mr Sallah remarked that no person is good enough to deserve being given absolute power to govern as one wishes. He said power that is not checked, controlled and restrained becomes absolute and corrupt.
The united front will not seek power for its sake, but its fundamental objective is to empower the Gambian people so that leaders will be servants or public trustees who will manage their wealth in order to ensure their prosperity, according to Sallah.
He said he was made Coordinator to facilitate the establishment of an opposition alliance before the 2006 Presidential elections. He said that the leaders agreed to establish NADD. He said that it is indicated in the NADD memorandum that the term of office of the coordinator comes to an end upon signing the memorandum. He said that the leaders unanimously agreed that he should continue but he was later blamed for being a Presidential candidate, even though he did not select himself. He said when he undertook to put the witchcraft to a stop many predicted that he was doing so to position himself for the presidential elections. He added that when he called for a convention it was perpetuated that he was positioning himself to be selected flag bearer. He said some people were predicting acrimony. He said acrimony takes place where there are selfish motives.
The PDOIS Secretary General also announced, to the surprise of many in the gathering, that he would neither seek for the position of presidential candidate nor the running mate or vice presidential candidate of the united opposition front in the forthcoming presidential polls. He said he does not have any craving for such posts. He said Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela are more powerful than any President in South Africa because they are serving as the conscience of a Nation. He said he would prefer to play that role during the coming five years as he adds his quota to prepare PDOIS for the future.
Finally, each party provided three signatories, one of whom had to be a woman to append their signatures to the MOU.
The signing of the United Front MOU on 29th October 2011 was hailed by opposition supporters as a watershed."Foroyaa |
Edited by - kobo on 31 Oct 2011 13:02:37 |
|
|
|
kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2011 : 13:18:10
|
RELATED;
|
Edited by - kobo on 01 Nov 2011 11:56:56 |
|
|
|
sankalanka
270 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2011 : 13:43:12
|
Kobo, I just finished reading the M.O.U of the national front in its entirety. I must say that it is very impressive and quite representative of a true demicractic dispensation. I hope all progressive gambians will embrace it wholeheartedly, for if this should be the instiutuitonal and governing instruments through which a new Gambia is reborn, it is indeed quite encouraging.
Another thing that I find encouraging, despite all the distortion is that the process is very democractic and thorough, and put in place all the safeguards that will ensure that power is not concentrated in the hands of one person.
For example, the choice of a running mate and the method put in place to select one. Even the choice of a flagbearer has to go through a rigorous process. The running mate shall become the vice president and shall enjoy the same immunities as the president. The president cannot sack him if they should disagree. The same way the president is sacked that would be the same way the vice president is sacked also.
People should check this document out. I find it very convincing. |
|
|
|
kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2011 : 16:40:44
|
"ONE GAMBIA ONE PEOPLE ONE DESTINY"
NATIONAL DUTY AND NATION FIRST ABOVE PARTISAN AGENDA/INTERESTS
IS THE SPIRIT OF NATIONAL UNITY, PARTNERSHIP AND SOLIDARITY
FOR A COMMON GOAL
TOWARDS THE COMMON GOOD OF ALL
AND THE COMMON GROUND FOR 2011
BEING THE EXPECTATIONS FROM ALL OPPONENTS
FOR A UNITED NATIONAL FRONT! |
Edited by - kobo on 31 Oct 2011 17:26:47 |
|
|
|
maple
United Kingdom
43 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2011 : 22:32:23
|
| The so-called united front is a by-product of the UDP so please give due where due is due. |
"Don't waste your time with explanations: people only hear what they want to hear" Paulo Coelho. |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
© 2005-2024 Nijii |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
