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Alhassan
Sweden
813 Posts |
 Posted - 21 Feb 2007 : 16:05:28
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quote:
Originally posted by Nyarikangbanna
Alhassan, they were not willing to do that because most of them have limited or no structures on the ground. UDP is the only opposition party that has structures throughout the length and breadth of the Gambia, save for Foni. The idea of forming a committee to draw a criteria and then decides who fit in and who doesn't was just a way of thwarting the prospect of a primary, which would have being fatal to the agendas of conspiracy groups. Some might say 'but the UDP could have resisted this since every decision was to be based on unanimity'. I think that argument is preposterous given that election was just at the door while the opposition was trapped in endless meetings. This cost the UDP a lot for it provided an opportunity for the APRC to penetrate their support base, and indeed they did. Mr Darboe and the UDP were very concern about this but they still felt obliged to keep their party activities on hold in line with NADD's code of conduct. When it became abundantly clear that progress within NADD is at odds with time, they decided to do the right thing. I am behind them.
I am willing to accept the suggestion that we should open a new page but I will be dismisive of any suggestion that it is Darboe and the UDP who are largely responsible for what had happened. If that is the new position of the spinning misinformers, then any future call for opposition unity will inevitably fail. There is nothing to be objective about here. The UDP and Mr Darboe are simply not culpable.
Thanks
Nyarikangbanna,
i AGREE WITH YOU A 100%. All those who were at these meetings were responsible. It is easy to blame Darboe today, but he has better chances. I have nothing against people but sometimes some people seem to depend too much on Dr. Abdoulaye Saine , who was a strong supporter of the former PPP. I think we Gambians think if you are not Phd or so , you cannot lead people. We have seen proofs to the opposite. Those in the US cannot decide for the Gambians. All politicians who depends on the Gambians in the diaspora has nothing to count on. Mos of us are just paper tigers. Why has Dr. Saine not gone home and join politics if he is so concerned? Gambians at home have seen through the fingers that is why the results are as they are. |
Edited by - Alhassan on 21 Feb 2007 16:07:07 |
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2007 : 13:39:35
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At last Musa Jeng of the infamous STGDP is beginning to speak the truth. He is still evasive of the specific landmarks though but I can understand why he had to do that. It must have being very difficult for him to talk that Frank considering his previous groteque utterances especially during the NADD stalmate. This is what he said [culled from Gambia-l];
Waa Juwara’s role:
Mr. Juwara was one of the leaders always very eager to talk to STGDP; we have had several telephone conferences with him. A year before we invited the politicians to Atlanta for the Meet the Diaspora summit, Waa was invited to a July Fourth conference. For the first time we witnessed a dynamic Gambian, poise, articulate and a straight talker. I was absolutely sold into the Waa bandwagon and was personally impressed by him. For the first coalition talks, he was represented by his deputy, Ousainou Mbenga who happens to live in the US. The NDAM philosophy was initially wrapped up in militancy, and they held the belief that enough of politics as usual, and it was time to hit the streets and pursue civil disobedience to remove Jammeh. This was their mantra at the first coalition talks, and was not entirely sold into a coalition as a strategy to remove Jammeh. Although NDAM and Waa was critical of the idea of a coalition, but like their counterparts they were willing to go along and see it play out. In the process of wait and see, I believe that Juwara eventually saw the coalition as an opportunity to settle score with his political nemesis, Ousainou Darboe. Waa was initially not too crazy with the idea of a coalition but was willing to give it a chance as long as Ousainou does not become the leader and he was ready to do everything to see that does not happen. His agenda was to deny Ousainou the leadership, or any kind of political capital for that matter. He has done everything during the process to do just that. On several occasions STGDP will raised the importance of selecting the leader now, and that would give the process legs and credibility. Waa would always dismiss it and even accused us of being obsessed with the leadership. He would always reaffirm the so-called realities on the ground and that the leadership issue will never derail NADD. Of course, for Ousainou and the UDP, selecting a flag bearer now was the only important thing to do. I personally believe that for Waa, coalition for the removal of Jammeh and the implementing of democratic environment was only important as long as his agenda of ABD (any but darboe) is accommodated. If Mr. Darbor was the first leader to desert the NADD coalition, for Waa his prayers were answered and held the belief that the opposition can still succeed without his nemesis. Although, Waa never walked away from the coalition and stayed with NADD to the end, but his contribution to the original intent of NADD as a strategy to defeat Jammeh and bring about democratic change was not at the top of his priority. Yes, Waa went along with the coalition talks, and of course after series of by-elections wins and NADD becoming a household name, his commitment to the enterprise became stronger. On the same token, his commitment to deny Ousainou the leadership also became more determine. All through the talks, I understand their relationship was cordial, but they both understood that there is no love betw een them. I have come to the conclusion that Waa was never ready, for the sake of the removal of Jammeh and the establishment of democracy, willing to bury the hatchet with UDP/Ousainou to make the coalition a reality. In conclusion, Waa was in the coalition because he was a leader of a new opposition party and was invited to be part of the effort. His relationship or lack thereof with Ousainou did not help the effort and basically hurt our chances of a coalition compromise. He was in it to fight Jammeh and get him out of office, but his feelings to Ousainou was never too far away, no matter what the cost. As stipulated in the MOU, as to the selection process of the flag bearer, and to this Waa would always remind us, but you can always know that this is going to derail the whole process... I could still remember in one of our meeting in Atlanta, Waa said – I am not interested in being a King, and it is not that I am not qualify or could not win, but I prefer to be the King Maker. Now, I really know what he meant.
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I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2007 : 13:39:35
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At last Musa Jeng of the infamous STGDP is beginning to speak the truth. He is still evasive of the specific landmarks though but I can understand why he had to do that. It must have being very difficult for him to talk that Frank considering his previous groteque utterances especially during the NADD stalmate. This is what he said [culled from Gambia-l];
Waa Juwara’s role:
Mr. Juwara was one of the leaders always very eager to talk to STGDP; we have had several telephone conferences with him. A year before we invited the politicians to Atlanta for the Meet the Diaspora summit, Waa was invited to a July Fourth conference. For the first time we witnessed a dynamic Gambian, poise, articulate and a straight talker. I was absolutely sold into the Waa bandwagon and was personally impressed by him. For the first coalition talks, he was represented by his deputy, Ousainou Mbenga who happens to live in the US. The NDAM philosophy was initially wrapped up in militancy, and they held the belief that enough of politics as usual, and it was time to hit the streets and pursue civil disobedience to remove Jammeh. This was their mantra at the first coalition talks, and was not entirely sold into a coalition as a strategy to remove Jammeh. Although NDAM and Waa was critical of the idea of a coalition, but like their counterparts they were willing to go along and see it play out. In the process of wait and see, I believe that Juwara eventually saw the coalition as an opportunity to settle score with his political nemesis, Ousainou Darboe. Waa was initially not too crazy with the idea of a coalition but was willing to give it a chance as long as Ousainou does not become the leader and he was ready to do everything to see that does not happen. His agenda was to deny Ousainou the leadership, or any kind of political capital for that matter. He has done everything during the process to do just that. On several occasions STGDP will raised the importance of selecting the leader now, and that would give the process legs and credibility. Waa would always dismiss it and even accused us of being obsessed with the leadership. He would always reaffirm the so-called realities on the ground and that the leadership issue will never derail NADD. Of course, for Ousainou and the UDP, selecting a flag bearer now was the only important thing to do. I personally believe that for Waa, coalition for the removal of Jammeh and the implementing of democratic environment was only important as long as his agenda of ABD (any but darboe) is accommodated. If Mr. Darbor was the first leader to desert the NADD coalition, for Waa his prayers were answered and held the belief that the opposition can still succeed without his nemesis. Although, Waa never walked away from the coalition and stayed with NADD to the end, but his contribution to the original intent of NADD as a strategy to defeat Jammeh and bring about democratic change was not at the top of his priority. Yes, Waa went along with the coalition talks, and of course after series of by-elections wins and NADD becoming a household name, his commitment to the enterprise became stronger. On the same token, his commitment to deny Ousainou the leadership also became more determine. All through the talks, I understand their relationship was cordial, but they both understood that there is no love betw een them. I have come to the conclusion that Waa was never ready, for the sake of the removal of Jammeh and the establishment of democracy, willing to bury the hatchet with UDP/Ousainou to make the coalition a reality. In conclusion, Waa was in the coalition because he was a leader of a new opposition party and was invited to be part of the effort. His relationship or lack thereof with Ousainou did not help the effort and basically hurt our chances of a coalition compromise. He was in it to fight Jammeh and get him out of office, but his feelings to Ousainou was never too far away, no matter what the cost. As stipulated in the MOU, as to the selection process of the flag bearer, and to this Waa would always remind us, but you can always know that this is going to derail the whole process... I could still remember in one of our meeting in Atlanta, Waa said – I am not interested in being a King, and it is not that I am not qualify or could not win, but I prefer to be the King Maker. Now, I really know what he meant.
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I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
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Alhassan
Sweden
813 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2007 : 15:19:09
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Nyarikangbanna,
The STGDP is a big joke. I know Ousainou Mbenga since the time of MOJA. I have learnt a lot since that time. I was among the socalled BLACK PHANTERS in the Gambia then.
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Alhassan
Sweden
813 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2007 : 15:19:09
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Nyarikangbanna,
The STGDP is a big joke. I know Ousainou Mbenga since the time of MOJA. I have learnt a lot since that time. I was among the socalled BLACK PHANTERS in the Gambia then.
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2007 : 15:32:12
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Mathew Jallow's refreshing account [Culled from allgambian.net];
Momodou Sidibeh’s article on the breakup of NADD, published in allgambian.net and thegambiaecho.com was an illuminating analysis. The arguments presented by Mr. Sidibeh, and his rationalization of them, were for the most part right on target, but in my estimation, other contentious issues were also at play. While it is impossible to know for sure what goes on in the minds of people, what they say and do can open window to their thinking. In the now infamous NADD MOU, what was left unsaid and unwritten was perhaps the most important piece of information negotiators needed to ferret out and address head on any possible area of disagreement. In the end, the decision to avoid discussing those areas with inbuilt biases also became the unraveling of the NADD experiment. Mr. Sidibeh alluded to the fact that in his opinion, NADD was hastily formed. I agree. The formation of NADD and its governing Articles as contained in the MOU, were poorly resourced, hastily crafted, and overall, the whole enterprise reeked of disingenuousness, because apparently, there was a hidden agenda from the get go. The acrimonious exchanges between protagonists on both sides of the political divide are well documented, and many on both sides got their share of berating and name-calling just for having different opinions. During the early days and prior to the formation of NADD, a select group made up their minds to think for us. That was in many ways an insult to the intelligence of the rest of us who were not in on the behind the door discussions that took place in Atlanta and elsewhere. This evidently was a non-starter that was going nowhere fast. Among other things, a decision was made behind closed doors and without proper consultation or input from the vast majority to market and sell Omar Jallow and Halifa Sallah to the public. Initially, neither Ousainou Darboe nor Hamat Bah were given due consideration they deserved to play roles they deserved in this new and emerging political structure. With the emphasis on O.J and Halifa alone, it did not take long before this self-evident connivance and conspiracy was brought to scrutinizing light of a skeptical and suspicious public. Someone could figure out how to try to impose O.J and Halifa on the rest of us, but was not smart enough to anticipate the resistance that could ensue. The hand picking and marketing of O.J. and Halifa without consultation and input from the wider public was a major factor in the unraveling and disintegration of the NADD experiment.
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I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2007 : 15:32:12
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Mathew Jallow's refreshing account [Culled from allgambian.net];
Momodou Sidibeh’s article on the breakup of NADD, published in allgambian.net and thegambiaecho.com was an illuminating analysis. The arguments presented by Mr. Sidibeh, and his rationalization of them, were for the most part right on target, but in my estimation, other contentious issues were also at play. While it is impossible to know for sure what goes on in the minds of people, what they say and do can open window to their thinking. In the now infamous NADD MOU, what was left unsaid and unwritten was perhaps the most important piece of information negotiators needed to ferret out and address head on any possible area of disagreement. In the end, the decision to avoid discussing those areas with inbuilt biases also became the unraveling of the NADD experiment. Mr. Sidibeh alluded to the fact that in his opinion, NADD was hastily formed. I agree. The formation of NADD and its governing Articles as contained in the MOU, were poorly resourced, hastily crafted, and overall, the whole enterprise reeked of disingenuousness, because apparently, there was a hidden agenda from the get go. The acrimonious exchanges between protagonists on both sides of the political divide are well documented, and many on both sides got their share of berating and name-calling just for having different opinions. During the early days and prior to the formation of NADD, a select group made up their minds to think for us. That was in many ways an insult to the intelligence of the rest of us who were not in on the behind the door discussions that took place in Atlanta and elsewhere. This evidently was a non-starter that was going nowhere fast. Among other things, a decision was made behind closed doors and without proper consultation or input from the vast majority to market and sell Omar Jallow and Halifa Sallah to the public. Initially, neither Ousainou Darboe nor Hamat Bah were given due consideration they deserved to play roles they deserved in this new and emerging political structure. With the emphasis on O.J and Halifa alone, it did not take long before this self-evident connivance and conspiracy was brought to scrutinizing light of a skeptical and suspicious public. Someone could figure out how to try to impose O.J and Halifa on the rest of us, but was not smart enough to anticipate the resistance that could ensue. The hand picking and marketing of O.J. and Halifa without consultation and input from the wider public was a major factor in the unraveling and disintegration of the NADD experiment.
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I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
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BambaLaye
USA
100 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2007 : 15:50:45
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SS Daffeh:
It is very obvious from what Mathew wrote that he is quite ignorant of what ACTUALLY went on during the initial conception of ideas for a unified front against A(F)PRC. You cannot just jump in at the tail end of history to claim astuteness and straight thinking when you were actually in deep slumber when history was being made. Where was Mathew and all those now blabbing their big mouths when "a select group made up their minds to think for us?"
It is truly disgusting to see so-called smart people behaving like disgruntled little leaches in a food fight.
On thing should stick in Mathews mind: Where you have a group that comes together for a single purpose, the NATURAL leaders will take the lead either by design, or by consensus. When the idea of a unified front was peddled amongst Gambians online and elsewhere, those who were willing to take the challenge came forward with their time, money and effort to see it through so that they "made up their minds to think for us."
Now all you leeches can cry over the spilled milk...what else are you good at?
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Edited by - BambaLaye on 22 Feb 2007 15:58:08 |
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BambaLaye
USA
100 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2007 : 15:50:45
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SS Daffeh:
It is very obvious from what Mathew wrote that he is quite ignorant of what ACTUALLY went on during the initial conception of ideas for a unified front against A(F)PRC. You cannot just jump in at the tail end of history to claim astuteness and straight thinking when you were actually in deep slumber when history was being made. Where was Mathew and all those now blabbing their big mouths when "a select group made up their minds to think for us?"
It is truly disgusting to see so-called smart people behaving like disgruntled little leaches in a food fight.
On thing should stick in Mathews mind: Where you have a group that comes together for a single purpose, the NATURAL leaders will take the lead either by design, or by consensus. When the idea of a unified front was peddled amongst Gambians online and elsewhere, those who were willing to take the challenge came forward with their time, money and effort to see it through so that they "made up their minds to think for us."
Now all you leeches can cry over the spilled milk...what else are you good at?
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Edited by - BambaLaye on 22 Feb 2007 15:58:08 |
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Bronx
USA
159 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2007 : 16:32:11
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| I am and was an advocate of party led coalition from the get go. I have defended Ousainou Darbo on this forum against people who try to heap the blame solely on his shoulders. Having said that I will hasten to add that pointing fingers at STGDP isn't gonna help matters much. The folks that came together to form that organization have an agenda: principal amongst those is to get rid of a tyrannical government. They are like any advocacy group with a wide variety of members of different political biases. The important thing to me is that they stepped up. They may have made mistakes along the way, but we shouldn't see their efforts as detrimental to the process, because it wasn't. |
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Bronx
USA
159 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2007 : 16:32:11
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| I am and was an advocate of party led coalition from the get go. I have defended Ousainou Darbo on this forum against people who try to heap the blame solely on his shoulders. Having said that I will hasten to add that pointing fingers at STGDP isn't gonna help matters much. The folks that came together to form that organization have an agenda: principal amongst those is to get rid of a tyrannical government. They are like any advocacy group with a wide variety of members of different political biases. The important thing to me is that they stepped up. They may have made mistakes along the way, but we shouldn't see their efforts as detrimental to the process, because it wasn't. |
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ebou4th
USA
106 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2007 : 16:47:39
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Correct me if I am wrong but I think the show stopper here is who gets to lead an alliance to defeat APRC. If there is a common objective then what do you guys think about using The NADD Executive Committee’s idea as a foundation to build a better united opposition? Is it possible to get all the opposition parties to agree to form an alliance without a flag bearer and hold primaries later? I think this will give the united opposition time to build a stronger grass roots. It will also give Gambians in Diaspora who want to contest time prepare for an active role in Gambian politics.
Will this work?
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“Revolutions are brought about by men, by men who think as men of action and act as men of thought.”
Kwame Nkrumah
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ebou4th
USA
106 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2007 : 16:47:39
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Correct me if I am wrong but I think the show stopper here is who gets to lead an alliance to defeat APRC. If there is a common objective then what do you guys think about using The NADD Executive Committee’s idea as a foundation to build a better united opposition? Is it possible to get all the opposition parties to agree to form an alliance without a flag bearer and hold primaries later? I think this will give the united opposition time to build a stronger grass roots. It will also give Gambians in Diaspora who want to contest time prepare for an active role in Gambian politics.
Will this work?
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“Revolutions are brought about by men, by men who think as men of action and act as men of thought.”
Kwame Nkrumah
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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2007 : 16:58:43
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quote:
Originally posted by dbaldeh
The bebate about NADD's split will continue and some people will always choose to read between the lines to identify with this statement or that. We should all read whatever is written with an open eye and critique it with a positive intend to move forward.
..............
Mawdo,
I have had the time to read your rejoiner and wish to make some comments which I belief were the major stumbling blocks thatled to uniting the oppositions.
I must ofcause tell you that I was at the formation of NADD and had participated in one way or the other in the organisation process.
From what you have said here seems mostly tallying with Mr. Sidebeh's wounderful statements.
Baldeh,the Gambia is a society where people beliefs romours where ever they could hear one.
NADD'S disintigration statrted at even before the formation.One would recall that at the very first rally at the Buffer Zone, any careful observer would have seen the tentions and the infighting building up.Supporters of varrious parties started criticising other party leaders right from there.The distribution of NADD T-shirts even became a hard fought battle between a member of PDOIS and UDP leading to an intervention of one of the so called executive members.
What the varrious Concerned Gambians in the diasphora vying for the unity of all opposition parties against Jammeh failed to realise was there had been previous mistrust between OJ,Ousainou,and Waa.Remember These people had earlier formed a coalition before and broke up.What led to that break-up was never resoulved.Thus when the formation of NADD came up supporters of these aboved leaders could be seen firing words at each other amidst accusations opon accusations.Amidst these heated mistrust,Party Leaders went ahead to form NADD.
We would never do justice and have a better reconciliation without the truth.The hard truth is both PPP[of which I was a memeber] and NDAM had never in the past ten years ever held a regognisable meeting where thousands attended thus they cannot be seen to represent the majority opposition views.Vatually these parties are only in existance on paper .I say this because I know what am saying.
Here are some of the facts:
The PPP which used to be the dominant party in the first republic had been splitted when many influencial party members during Jawara days turned supporting AFPRC either to safe their positions or through being offered positions they never had before during 30 years of PPP.Notable just to name a few:
[KSMD]
Fatoumata Jahumpha[Then PPP youth President now Nominated MP and speaker],
Agie fatou sallah[Yai Compin head now women President]
and many notable Banjulinkas.
[NBD]
Seyfo Alh.Tabora Manneh {Then Only an influential PPP member now Chief]
Alh.Kemba Gassama{Only a business man],
Dr. Fansung Nafa Lamin Saho[former executive PPP Cabinet minister and now APRC]
Seyfo Gim fatouma Jobe{Then a chief voted in by the people now wanting to preserve his position knowing he no more need the people's voted to remain chief],
Dr Momodou S.K. Manneh[One time cabinet minister in former PPP now APRC]
Seyfo Sambujang Janye [Then only an influential PPP,now chief,ect.
[CRD]
seyfo Jam Jawo,seyfo Lamin Baldeh[Was then PPP, when he lost his chieftancy post,he switched alledgiance to UDP now made chief again switched to APRC,
ex seyfo Falai Baldeh,
seyfo kebba Touray of kerwan Toure{Was an influential grand marabout and supporter of PPP now made chief joins APRC,
kenteng Fatty,
Sara penda Bah,
Amoulie Janneh [Was an executive PPP member and Minister,very influential within the saloums now joins APRC,
Alh.Lang Camara[Was powerful in the Sanjals behind Saikou Sabally now APRC as one of his nephwe is MP kebba L Camara.
ex seyfo Ngainye Bah ect,
[URD]
Alh.Malik Krubally,
Alh B.Cora,
ex seyfo Alh.Modibo Njie,
Mariama Jaw,
Marabou at Gambisara,
Numuel marabout,
Samba Jawo,
Buba M.Baldeh[was member of the then PPP executive and a cabinet minister now APRC],
Seyfo Kandakasseh Juwara.[was an influential PPP member voted in by the people of WULI now APRC to preserve his position as he no longer need s the people's vote to remain chief. ect
[LRD]
seyfo Alh.Fafanding Darboe[was an influential PPP was voted by the people of Jarra East now APRC to preserve his position as he no longer need the people's vote to retain his post,
Alh.Burang Baldeh,
Ousman Darboe,
Seyfo Alh.Haruna Sabally [was diehard PPP voted by the Central Jarrankas now APRC as he no longer need the people's concent to retain his post.,
Jerreh Sanyang,
Demba Sanyang,
Wali Sanneh [parliamentarian in the then PPP now APRC Council Chirman LRD],ect
[WD]
Seyfo Bakary sanyang,lamin Jarju,Alh.Ousainou Beyai,Bekayi Jammeh,Alh.lamin Jobe,Seyfo.Alh.Bakary .s.Bojang[Held many possitions during PPP days up deputy IG voted in by people of Kombo Central as cheif now APRC just to maintain his post]
ex.Commissioner Lamin Joberteh.[was diehard PPP voted as chief of Sibanor now APRC ,
Pa Assan Jobe,
ex seyfo Erec Tunde Janneh.ext.
( these are just few prominent names the AFPRC went after before they decided to form APRC and ask Jammeh to turn into civilian clothes to contest as a civilian president.
Just to name a very few prominent Gambian figures who were and are still people of large following and influence.These and many others were incooporated into the newly formed APRC thus leaving the PPP vertually dead or out of its power base.Before Jammeh lifted the Military degree which banned all political parties of the previous regime from contesting elections, He did his homes work making sure ex politicians never poses any threat to him.This resulted in many prominent figures within the then PPP given posts like chieftancy positions and possitions importance thus while the AFPRC gathers strength,they made sure they left no stone unturned.While this was done,many within the old guards failed to realise that they were being burried alife politically.The remnants of the PPP, latter together with some NCP members [Who also had a lot of past political scores to resoulve]but because of a common goal then joined to form UDP.I was at the Brufut Rally in 2001 when most Old Guards gave a speach.There as well the difference between old guards could be vissible[I mean between PPP and NCP].
Fellas, not to go too much into the all what went wrong,I would want to focus more on the present as we need to furge ahead to find a solution to the dilema the opposition finds them selves.
Mawdo as for Alh Assan musa Camara,well what would you expect from an elder states man Like him?You knew well as I do that he is consitutionally old to lead or maybe could only lead for just one term.What about sheriff Dibba?You seem to have left him out.Don't you think he was still having some influence within the newly formed NADD and had some scores to settle with them for not choosing him instead when the ban on his party was liftad?
There were loads and loads of stuff to resoulve before NADD's formation and the leaders knew this too well.But as all were driven with greed, they went ahead to form an already divided people.
I want to suggest that in future any intending candidates for a unity Opposition coalition, should go through a primary election.So that the entire electorates of the country form within the opposition could choose a common candidate who will be a choice of all rather than an executive who virtually have little command of the people.
peace
Janyanfara |
Edited by - Janyanfara on 22 Feb 2007 17:23:58 |
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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2007 : 16:58:43
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quote:
Originally posted by dbaldeh
The bebate about NADD's split will continue and some people will always choose to read between the lines to identify with this statement or that. We should all read whatever is written with an open eye and critique it with a positive intend to move forward.
..............
Mawdo,
I have had the time to read your rejoiner and wish to make some comments which I belief were the major stumbling blocks thatled to uniting the oppositions.
I must ofcause tell you that I was at the formation of NADD and had participated in one way or the other in the organisation process.
From what you have said here seems mostly tallying with Mr. Sidebeh's wounderful statements.
Baldeh,the Gambia is a society where people beliefs romours where ever they could hear one.
NADD'S disintigration statrted at even before the formation.One would recall that at the very first rally at the Buffer Zone, any careful observer would have seen the tentions and the infighting building up.Supporters of varrious parties started criticising other party leaders right from there.The distribution of NADD T-shirts even became a hard fought battle between a member of PDOIS and UDP leading to an intervention of one of the so called executive members.
What the varrious Concerned Gambians in the diasphora vying for the unity of all opposition parties against Jammeh failed to realise was there had been previous mistrust between OJ,Ousainou,and Waa.Remember These people had earlier formed a coalition before and broke up.What led to that break-up was never resoulved.Thus when the formation of NADD came up supporters of these aboved leaders could be seen firing words at each other amidst accusations opon accusations.Amidst these heated mistrust,Party Leaders went ahead to form NADD.
We would never do justice and have a better reconciliation without the truth.The hard truth is both PPP[of which I was a memeber] and NDAM had never in the past ten years ever held a regognisable meeting where thousands attended thus they cannot be seen to represent the majority opposition views.Vatually these parties are only in existance on paper .I say this because I know what am saying.
Here are some of the facts:
The PPP which used to be the dominant party in the first republic had been splitted when many influencial party members during Jawara days turned supporting AFPRC either to safe their positions or through being offered positions they never had before during 30 years of PPP.Notable just to name a few:
[KSMD]
Fatoumata Jahumpha[Then PPP youth President now Nominated MP and speaker],
Agie fatou sallah[Yai Compin head now women President]
and many notable Banjulinkas.
[NBD]
Seyfo Alh.Tabora Manneh {Then Only an influential PPP member now Chief]
Alh.Kemba Gassama{Only a business man],
Dr. Fansung Nafa Lamin Saho[former executive PPP Cabinet minister and now APRC]
Seyfo Gim fatouma Jobe{Then a chief voted in by the people now wanting to preserve his position knowing he no more need the people's voted to remain chief],
Dr Momodou S.K. Manneh[One time cabinet minister in former PPP now APRC]
Seyfo Sambujang Janye [Then only an influential PPP,now chief,ect.
[CRD]
seyfo Jam Jawo,seyfo Lamin Baldeh[Was then PPP, when he lost his chieftancy post,he switched alledgiance to UDP now made chief again switched to APRC,
ex seyfo Falai Baldeh,
seyfo kebba Touray of kerwan Toure{Was an influential grand marabout and supporter of PPP now made chief joins APRC,
kenteng Fatty,
Sara penda Bah,
Amoulie Janneh [Was an executive PPP member and Minister,very influential within the saloums now joins APRC,
Alh.Lang Camara[Was powerful in the Sanjals behind Saikou Sabally now APRC as one of his nephwe is MP kebba L Camara.
ex seyfo Ngainye Bah ect,
[URD]
Alh.Malik Krubally,
Alh B.Cora,
ex seyfo Alh.Modibo Njie,
Mariama Jaw,
Marabou at Gambisara,
Numuel marabout,
Samba Jawo,
Buba M.Baldeh[was member of the then PPP executive and a cabinet minister now APRC],
Seyfo Kandakasseh Juwara.[was an influential PPP member voted in by the people of WULI now APRC to preserve his position as he no longer need s the people's vote to remain chief. ect
[LRD]
seyfo Alh.Fafanding Darboe[was an influential PPP was voted by the people of Jarra East now APRC to preserve his position as he no longer need the people's vote to retain his post,
Alh.Burang Baldeh,
Ousman Darboe,
Seyfo Alh.Haruna Sabally [was diehard PPP voted by the Central Jarrankas now APRC as he no longer need the people's concent to retain his post.,
Jerreh Sanyang,
Demba Sanyang,
Wali Sanneh [parliamentarian in the then PPP now APRC Council Chirman LRD],ect
[WD]
Seyfo Bakary sanyang,lamin Jarju,Alh.Ousainou Beyai,Bekayi Jammeh,Alh.lamin Jobe,Seyfo.Alh.Bakary .s.Bojang[Held many possitions during PPP days up deputy IG voted in by people of Kombo Central as cheif now APRC just to maintain his post]
ex.Commissioner Lamin Joberteh.[was diehard PPP voted as chief of Sibanor now APRC ,
Pa Assan Jobe,
ex seyfo Erec Tunde Janneh.ext.
( these are just few prominent names the AFPRC went after before they decided to form APRC and ask Jammeh to turn into civilian clothes to contest as a civilian president.
Just to name a very few prominent Gambian figures who were and are still people of large following and influence.These and many others were incooporated into the newly formed APRC thus leaving the PPP vertually dead or out of its power base.Before Jammeh lifted the Military degree which banned all political parties of the previous regime from contesting elections, He did his homes work making sure ex politicians never poses any threat to him.This resulted in many prominent figures within the then PPP given posts like chieftancy positions and possitions importance thus while the AFPRC gathers strength,they made sure they left no stone unturned.While this was done,many within the old guards failed to realise that they were being burried alife politically.The remnants of the PPP, latter together with some NCP members [Who also had a lot of past political scores to resoulve]but because of a common goal then joined to form UDP.I was at the Brufut Rally in 2001 when most Old Guards gave a speach.There as well the difference between old guards could be vissible[I mean between PPP and NCP].
Fellas, not to go too much into the all what went wrong,I would want to focus more on the present as we need to furge ahead to find a solution to the dilema the opposition finds them selves.
Mawdo as for Alh Assan musa Camara,well what would you expect from an elder states man Like him?You knew well as I do that he is consitutionally old to lead or maybe could only lead for just one term.What about sheriff Dibba?You seem to have left him out.Don't you think he was still having some influence within the newly formed NADD and had some scores to settle with them for not choosing him instead when the ban on his party was liftad?
There were loads and loads of stuff to resoulve before NADD's formation and the leaders knew this too well.But as all were driven with greed, they went ahead to form an already divided people.
I want to suggest that in future any intending candidates for a unity Opposition coalition, should go through a primary election.So that the entire electorates of the country form within the opposition could choose a common candidate who will be a choice of all rather than an executive who virtually have little command of the people.
peace
Janyanfara |
Edited by - Janyanfara on 22 Feb 2007 17:23:58 |
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