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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
 Posted - 31 Oct 2016 : 11:02:59
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Mr. Adama Barrow of UDP has been voted as opposition flag bearer as presidential candidate in the coming December 2016 presidential elections.
Congratulations Gambia!!
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2016 : 15:40:00
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COALITION NOW HAS A FLAG BEARER
Foroyaa Editorial: October 31, 2016
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/12665
Yesterday, what many had thought was impossible did happen. Seven opposition parties selected a flag bearer at a convention to contest the December 1 presidential elections. Now all seven opposition parties are to give their support to the flag bearer who must contest as an independent candidate and pursue a programme agreed upon by all stakeholders.
There were no losers in this contest. It was not the victory of any individual or party but the victory of a transparent and democratic process that is inclusive and has kept all leaders together.
The leaders are simply answering to the demands of the people who want change. They have demanded that the leaders come together to get only one flag bearer who will be capable of defeating the incumbent at the polls.
The leaders have got the people to select the flag bearer. It is the people who can demonstrate their might by voting the incumbent out.
Adama Barrow Elected Coalition Flag Bearer
By Kebba Jeffang
Foroyaa: October 31, 2016
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/12660
Adama Barrow, the presidential candidate of the United Democratic Party (UDP) was voted the flag bearer of the Coalition at the coalition-flag-bearerConvention on Sunday, October 30, 2016 after polling out 62% of the total votes cast.
According to the agreement, the flag bearer has to stand as an independent candidate.
The chairpersons of the Convention were Dembo Bojang and Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang.
Madam Jallow who also served as the returning officer for the national convention for the election of the flag bearer of the opposition parties for the 1st December 2016 presidential election when presenting the result said “I Madam Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang, the returning officer hereby certifies and declares the results as follows: number of votes registered is 490; total number of invalid votes counted 2, total number of valid votes 485. Dr. Lamin Bojang of the NCP got 40 votes, Halifa Sallah of PDOIS 65 votes, Hamat Bah of NCP 72 votes and Adama Barrow of UDP 308 votes,” she disclosed.
Speaking after the election, Hamat Bah, Dr. Lamin Bojang and Halifa Sallah thanked all the stakeholders who contributed to the success of the convention. They all gave assurance that they will give their full support to the elected candidate at any platform in ensuring that change is effected in the December presidential election.
Adama Barrow also thanked his counterparts and assured them that they will work collectively and in the interest of the Gambia as a country.
Omar Jallow alias OJ in his vote of thanks hailed all the delegates for exercising what he called democratic process. He thanked the aspirants for their maturity.
Meanwhile, according to the agreement, the flag bearer will serve for a period of 3 years.
See next edition for a detailed report.
UDP's Adama Barrow elected flag-bearer of opposition coalition
By Lamin Jahateh and Kaddijatou Jawo
The Point: Monday, October 31, 2016
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/udps-adama-barrow-elected-flag-bearer-of-opposition-coalition
 The leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) has been elected flag-bearer of the coalition of the seven opposition political parties, for the 1st December 2016 presidential election of The Gambia.
He was elected at an opposition convention held at a hotel in Kololi yesterday and attended by 490 delegates, most of them old men and women and largely not academically literate.
Each of the seven parties in the convention ¡V National Reconciliation Party, National Convention Party, People¡¦s Progressive Party, Gambia Moral Congress, People¡¦s Democratic Party for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), Gambia Party for Democracy and Progress, and United Democratic Party ¡V brought in 70 delegates.
The party delegates were from the regions, 10 delegates from each of the seven administrative regions of The Gambia.
In an election to determine the candidate for the coalition, Mr Barrow was elected by an overwhelming 308 of the 490 delegates. He was followed by Hamat Bah of NRP at second position with 72 votes.
The chief proponent of the convention, Halifa Sallah of PDOIS got 65 votes, and Dr Lamin Bolong Bojang of NCP, 40 votes.
Shortly before the election, Mr Barrow pleaded with the delegates to vote for him as the coalition presidential candidate as a show of solidarity with Ousainou Darboe and in sympathy for the death in state custody of UDP¡¦s stalwarts, Solo Sandeng and Solo Krummah.
Hamat Bah presented himself as the candidate that can unite a divided Gambia, for he would unite all and together work for the economic development of the country.
The leader of the revived NCP, Lamin Bolong Bojang, said he is into politics to fulfill his dream and to set the country on the right course. He told the delegates to vote for him for their benefit in this world and in the hereafter.
The 63-year-old Halifa Sallah of PDOIS said when elected president, he would make sure his heart beats in unison with every Gambian, and would make sure that the inhuman, degrading punishment of people stops.
The convention agreement is that the coalition president would serve a transition period of three years, and take the country to election to elect a new president.
However, Mr Sallah said he would serve for only two years, and in the process would lay a solid foundation that any president coming after him can use to develop the country.
After hearing from the four contenders, the delegates decided that Adama Barrow is the man who should do the job for them.
Hamat Bah had his turn in 2011, when he was elected as the presidential candidate for the United Front comprising four opposition parties ¡V PDOIS, NRP, GPDP, and NADD.
Out of a total of 212 delegates, he emerged winner of the convention after he polled 118 votes (56.19%). In the presidential election that followed, the United Front under Mr Bah got just 11 per cent of the votes cast.
Meanwhile, Dr Isatou Touray, the independent presidential aspirant, decided not to attend the convention yesterday. Neither herself nor her party delegates were present. The central committee of the convention said they did not hear from her officially as to her non-attendance.
Observers said her non-attendance was a confirmation of the rumours that she has decided to quit the opposition coalition to run solo, following in the footstep of the Gambia Democratic Congress.
Meanwhile, following heavy criticism on social media for quitting a process that opposition sympathisers see as the way out to unseat the incumbent, Dr Touray has issued a statement on Facebook saying she ¡§acknowledges the deep concern that Gambians have raised about her absence¡¨.
In the statement, she said she equally deeply regrets her absence in ¡§this all-important meeting¡¨. She is billed to give a press conference today, Monday, to explain herself on the issues and the way forward.
In any case, all the opposition party leaders at the coalition convention have given their support to the coalition flag-bearer, Adama Barrow, and they promised to continue working together to defeat President Yahya Jammeh, come 1st December 2016.
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
Posted - 01 Nov 2016 : 12:55:27
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‘I am committed and loyal to the coalition agreement’ coalition flagbearer says
By Lamin Jahateh
The Point: Tuesday, November 01, 2016
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/i-am-committed-and-loyal-to-the-coalition-agreement-coalition-flagbearer-says
 The flagbearer of the coalition of seven opposition political parties has affirmed his commitment and loyalty to the agreement that brought in the alliance.
“I am committed and loyal to the coalition and any other agreement that we all appended our signatures on,” Adama Barrow said in his acceptance speech, shortly after been elected flagbearer of the coalition.
He was elected by 308 of 490 delegates at the convention held to elect a flagbearer of the opposition coalition on Sunday at a hotel in Kololi. Barrow was the candidate of the United Democratic Party (UDP).
Other party leaders that showed interest in being the flagbearer of the coalition were Halifa Sallah of the People’s Democratic Party for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), Hamat Bah of the National Reconciliation Party (NRP), and Lamin Bolong Bojang of the National Convention Party (NCP).
Mr Barrow said come 1 December 2016, if he is elected president of The Gambia, he “shall” implement programmes and policies in line with the spirit and letter of the agreement signed by all the seven political parties in the coalition.
Apart from PDOIS, UDP, NRP and NCP, other parties in the coalition are Gambia Moral Congress, People’s Progressive Party, and Gambia Party for Democracy and Development.
Details of the agreement of the coalition have not been made public, but The Point newspaper understood that one of the terms is that the coalition president shall serve for a transition period of three years, and take the country to an election in which the coalition leader would not contest as a presidential candidate.
The appointment of ministers, Speaker of the National Assembly, directors of security apparatus like NIA, the police and army are also part of the agreement. Each party in the coalition would be fairly represented in the coalition government, as agreed.
Mr Barrow reiterated that he is committed to the coalition agreement, and shall work with all the other party leaders in salvaging The Gambia from “the destruction it has found itself”.
Omar J. Jallow alias OJ Jallow, leader of the PPP – the ruling party in the first republic, said he has known Mr Barrow enough not to question his integrity to live up to the coalition agreement.
“I know him and I will never, ever question his integrity that he will live up to the letter and spirit of the alliance; he will make sure what is written in the alliance will be executed to the letter,” he said.
No more difference
The coalition flagbearer has further stated that all the party leaders in the coalition have put their differences, and the differences of their political parties aside, to work for the common cause of taking The Gambia from President Yahya Jammeh, come the December 1st presidential election.
Mr Barrow said the diverseness of the coalition is an indication that it can easily solidify the gains the individual parties have made over the years, and transform the strength to the desired victory.
“We can do it because the experience and determination is there,” he said. “Let’s go out and unite and grab the opportunity presented by our people; Gambians are already tired of Yahya Jammeh, and this year by the grace of Allah we shall end his rule.”
“Our work begins today, the task ahead cannot be overemphasized, but I have no doubt that with the strength of will and determination, we would overcome all obstacles and prevail,” he further stated.
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2016 : 20:13:26
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THE SELECTION OF FLAG BEARER AND THE CHALLENGES
Foroyaa: Editorial: November 2, 2016
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/12691
The Opposition parties driven by the demand of the population for one candidate to contest the 2016 Presidential election created a mechanism to select a flag bearer. 8 party stakeholders and one Independent presidential aspirant started with the process namely, GDC, GMC, GPDP, NCP, NRP, PDOIS, PPP, UDP and the Independent.
The GDC and the Independent decided to withdraw. GMC, GPDP and PPP did not put up candidates. The parties which already had their presidential candidates were NCP, NRP, PDOIS and UDP. They were asked to agree to submit their candidature to a vote by delegates selected by each party numbering 70 delegates per party. This gave a total number of 490 delegates.
The delegates were asked not to be dictated by any personal or party interest but should base their choice on national interest.
The combined votes of the delegates of the three parties which did not put up candidates are 210. These were the decisive votes that could have brought about a second round of voting if they were distributed among the delegates. These decisive delegates have spoken. This is why Mr. Adama Barrow had 308 votes. Hon. Hamat Bah 72, Halifa Sallah 65 and Dr Lamin Bojang 40.
Mr Adama Barrow is made a flag-bearer by the votes of cross party delegates.
What next? He is to resign from his party and stand as an Independent Candidate.
What is necessary now is for the UDP members, in particular, and all parties, in general, to see Mr. Adama Barrow as a Candidate of a Coalition rather than the candidate of a party. Once he is presented and promoted as a candidate of his party of origin the whole coalition agenda is likely to be put into question.
The UDP leadership is expected to assist Mr. Adama Barrow to make this transition from a party candidate to the candidate of a coalition. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2016 : 20:22:53
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Statements of opposition leaders after declaration of National Convention results
Foroyaa: November 2, 2016
By Kebba Jeffang
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/12688
Immediately following the declaration of the results of the National Convention of the seven opposition parties attended by delegates from all the 7 administrative regions of the country which elected Adama Barrow as the independent flagbearer of the coalition, the opposition leaders took turns to react to the outcome of the event held on Sunday, 30th October, 2016, at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.
The presiding officer Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang, who also doubles as the co-chairperson of the convention committee,OJstatements-of-opposition-leaders-after in announcing the results, said out of 490 registered delegates, 487 have voted with 308 for Mr. Adama Barrow, 65 for Halifa Sallah, 72 for Hamat Bah and 40 for Dr. Lamin Bojang. She therefore declared Mr. Barrow as the aspirant elected to lead the alliance.
 Below are the verbatim remarks made by the respective leaders namely Mr. Hamat Bah, Dr. Lamin Bolongding Bojang, Mr. Halifa Sallah, Mr. Omar Jallow and the newly elected opposition (flag bearer’s) Mr. Adama Barrow following the announcement of the results.
Mr. Hamat Bah, the leader of the National Reconciliation Party (NRP) assured full cooperation to the choice of the people “we will go across the country to deliver the message,” he said.
“We need not only to select a candidate but we must select a candidate who can deliver the result and that is what you have done, the job has just started. It is very easy to stand and clap to say we have selected somebody; the clapping we need is 1st of December. That day is not going to be an easy task because it will be a very hard task. So when we all go home today we start it today towards that day. We have accepted the process, the result and we did all that for the sake of unity. We accepted that our parties and personalities are not the same in size yet still we accepted that we have equal vote and that was all done in the interest of coming together. Now those who made this happen must have an added value to the process because without having that you are having the purpose. The added value is every party and everybody here must work towards December 1st and that is the only way we can prove to the Gambian people that we are serious in what we are doing and we must also work to convince others to come and join them but don’t castigate them. They are not here and it is our task to set up an elder committee to work on the possibility of bringing other aspiring candidates to join the alliance and it is our task all of us together. And all your comments that you make anywhere should not be negative because the process of bringing people back is the task of all of us and that is the only way we can guarantee 100% victory come 1st of December because we need the 800, 000 votes lying there to come to us not the vote we already have in our pocket. In doing that the way we speak, the way we comport ourselves, behave, utterances must reflect reconciliation and I hope we keep that spirit. And I will tell you that we will go across this country from Kartong to Koina to make sure that we deliver the victory come 1st of December. Today Adama Barrow has been elected and we will make sure we work together to deliver the result.”
Dr. Lamin Bolonding Bojang, Presidential Candidate for the National Convention Party (NCP) described the moment ‘historic’
“What I will tell you is that the country’s power is in your hands (the electorate). This opposition coalition is a historic in the Gambia because many different parties have less important. Since there is a ruling party all the oppositions should come together and today we became a reformed party. The division of the opposition parties up to seven is not good for us as a country. Leadership is prescribed by God and gives it to whom he decides. Now that you have shown your intention and played your responsibility as a citizen by establishing the ruling party and the opposition coalition in the country, we do not have any more NCP, UDP, NRP, PDOIS, etc. but only the opposition party. So this an idea formed today in the Gambia with the objective of continuing because with two parties change can be done easily and this made this meeting a historic one. You have demonstrated your positive role as a citizen by voting democratically without any form of cheating.”
Mr. Halifa Sallah, PDOIS presidential candidate emphasised the need for “discipline in actions and in words” during the campaign period and for supporters to guard their language.
“This is the beginning of another beginning. What is happening today has never happened and it shows that the Gambia will never be the same again. We have decided to come together because of a law that makes it impossible to have a second round of voting which is a disadvantage to the opposition. That is precisely why we decided to come together. It is not to put an end to multiparty system. A multi-party system is part and parcel of a democratic order and we are coming together to strengthen the multi-party system and this is why we have said a person who stands will stand as an independent candidate and not for any single party. The parties will remain but that the individual will serve all of us. That is what we have agreed, so this individual who has been selected by you is now our instrument in order to end self-perpetuating rule and impunity in this country. That person will make a promise to serve only 3 years and that cabinet will be dissolved and we go back to election where there will be second round of voting and all the parties will seek the mandate of the people. This is the agreement and my conclusion is we are trying to win 886, 000 voters and we are not dealing with only opposition voters but the Gambian voters. So as a result those who take this podium should speak a language and engage in action where we will not lose a single voter because of arrest or a certain behavior. We want every young person to become discipline and mature. Guard your language, educate, and mobilize in a manner that will earn you the respect of every Gambian. We don’t want people to use language that will frighten or threaten or drive away other people. We want a language that will make others to come and join us because they will know that this is a coalition of hope; a coalition of national unity, democracy and of justice. This is what we are looking for and not any leader to use it for an individual interest. The national interest must now be supreme and if we do that, we will start changing the Gambia and then everybody in this country who has the capacity to deliver will always have the chance to be able to serve. Collectively, we are together; collectively we can use our intelligence, energy to build a new Gambia where everybody will be proud to take the ownership of. We have started the process of making history, but we have yet to make history. We can only make history if we continue to act together and change the country and bring a system that will earn the respect of our children and children’s children.”
Mr. Adama Barrow, the elected standard bearer promised to live up to appended agreement of the commission
“The history has been made which could determine the future of this country. It is about strengthening our democracy and values and about taking our country back from the merciless oppressor. It is about preventing our country from being a failed state and more importantly it is about building confidence among diverse people to work for the common goods of the Gambia. It is also about rebuilding trust in the international community. Therefore, how we narrate the history to our people will be crucial in bringing us closer as a nation in our bid to remove the government once and for all. I want to say that I am deeply honored and overwhelmed by your confidence in me. When I was coming the event, I came with a very of open mind that no matter the outcome the UDP will put its weight behind any chosen candidate at this convention because as a party we know any alternative to what had happened here today will always strengthen the Gambia. I am committed and loyal to the coalition and any other agreement that we all append our signatures to. I have also abundantly made it clear that we shall always implement our programmes and policies to speak terms and the letter of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by all the political parties. I stand here once again to show my commitment to what we have agreed together to salvage our country from the destruction we have found ourselves in the Gambia and this we have to do it together. At this stage, I would like to particularly thank Mr Halifa Sallah for his foresight and tireless effort putting together the mechanism that gave birth to this coalition. So thank you for all you have done for the Gambia. Let me also take the opportunity to thank our aunty, Mrs Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang, for criss –crossing the offices of the various opposition parties and indeed you shall be remembered. To my other comrades, Uncles Omar Jallow, Hamat Bah, Henry Gomez, Mai Ahmat Fatty and Dr Lamin Bojang and all other committed comrades whose names are not mentioned here but have played a big role in the success of this convention. I thank you all for your confidence in me and I assure you that I will work with you within the border set by the commission. I thank all the delegates present here today for your time and I will always count on you for your confidence and support. I eagerly look forward to working with you in the next couple of weeks to see that we finish the job of taking back our country once again. Our work begins today and the tasks ahead cannot be over emphasized but I have no doubt that with the strength, the will and determination we have shown in this convention we will overcome all obstacles that prevail. From today, the MOU enjoined us together and we have all put our differences aside and brought our different political parties together to work for the common course and from today we will be each other’s brother’s keepers, to coach each other and make good use of each other’s strengths and experience to put all hands on deck to save our country.”
Omar Jallow alias OJ, leader of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) thanking message to stakeholders in the convention “No winner, No loser, Gambia Wins” he said….
“I was very much elated when I see all of you without fear of despot that is in the Gambia come here to queue and to register yourselves to make history and make sure the Gambia become part of a good history of this world. Therefore, I would like to first and foremost thank our chairwoman Madame Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang and her co-chairman Hon Dembo Bojang for their responsible mature leadership in which they steer the affairs of our coalition committee to this stage. I would like to thank all those who are part of this process, those in the committee and those who were appointed chairmen of the sub-committees. This year has proven that Gambians can make it and today we are making history and we will be on the right side of history forever. I thank the party leaders all present here particularly those who are aspiring to become leaders of a coalition. The responsible leadership that you have demonstrated today has shown all Gambians particularly the young people there is a bright future for all of you tomorrow. Hon. Halifa Sallah, Dr. Bojang and Hon. Hamat Bah stood here to accept the verdict of you Gambians forgetting their personal and party interests and seeing Gambia as our country and most important thing that we can die for and we can stand for. Therefore, you are the people who make history because you are the people who bury all your interests and egos to make sure you show the Gambian people that what you have been saying for the last 6 months is true to you people and you will be committed to Gambia and to the alliance and to save the Gambia from the despotic regime that we have found ourselves for 22 years. To Adama Barrow, congratulations! I know you, your honesty, your commitment and I will never ever just like all of you question your integrity that he will live to the letter and spirit of the agreement of the alliance. That you will make sure what is written in the alliance is executed to the letter that we are going to be a team together and today there is no winner and no loser here and the Gambia has won. I congratulate him and in addition I congratulate my brother and friend Ousainou Darboe and all those people in Mile 2 they are not here but their spirits are here; they are with us all the way and I will assure them that the days are numbered, we have taken the first step towards that liberty, dignity, freedom and respect for the Gambian people. I thank the press (the first estate). You have been under the most hostile environment like the opposition parties. You refuse to give up and your profession demands sacrifice. You have been killed, tortured, detained and some of you have to leave this country if not they will lose their lives. And today I will tell you that you are part of the history that is being made because I believe as an American president said ‘I will prefer an America without a president to America without a free press.’ The press is important in the new dispensation of the 3rd republic and you will be given the due respect and independence that you deserve. Our sons and daughters in the Diaspora, we are sitting here today thanks to their efforts, organizations and sacrifice. They are our partners in this struggle and the resources we have used to make this convention happen most of it if not all of it come from them. We appreciate it. To the women and youths of this country here today, I am happy to see that 51% of the delegates are women. They are our mothers and sisters and make sure you go round your communities, constituencies and area and spread the gospel that today the Gambia has begun the change that every Gambian deserves and by 1st of December, that change will be a reality. To those delegates that came from Kartong to Koina, we know the economic problems that you have in your communities but because of the love for your country all of you are here. Thank you. To those who have come to observe and are not part of the delegates, these people have interest and they want to be part of the history that is being made today. Therefore, on behalf of everybody here, I thank you all and wish you a safe journey to your destinations around the country.”
The ceremony was moderated by Dembo Bojang and Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang as the co-chairpersons of The National Convention of the coalition of opposition parties. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
Posted - 03 Nov 2016 : 21:12:45
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Dr Touray embraces the coalition
by torchongambia
https://torchongambia.wordpress.com/2016/11/03/dr-touray-embraces-the-coalition/
Amie Bojang, the press officer of Gambia’s first woman presidential candidate has confirmed that Dr Isatou Touray has remained in the coalition.
 Dr Isatou Touray, the independent presidential candidate, has announced today she is continuing her participation in the opposition coalition of seven parties led by Adama Barrow.
“We have met Fatoumata Tambajang, Sedia Jatta and Hamat Bah and discussed issues relating to Dr’s continued participation in the coalition and we reached a fruitful conclusion… We will issue a press release to that effect…,” Amie Bojang told The Torch after their meeting.
Dr Touray was part of the processes of the coalition talks but failed to participate in the convention that selected the flag bearer.
She later told a press conference at her office that the convention was engineered to leave her out.
Fatoumata Tambajang, the chairwoman of the coalition who led a delegation of opposition to her office, told The Torch that she salute Dr Touray for “her courage and commitment”
“We are just happy. Gambia is a family… It is our moral responsibility… to bring everybody in… The delegation led by me went to meet Dr Isatou Touray and she is dedicated to the coalition…,” Fatoumata Tambajang said.
“We salute her for her courage and commitment… We congratulate her and we call on every Gambian to vote for the coalition…We should continue to work in unity for peace and prosperity.”
“We have met and our meeting was fruitful… Dr Touray has never left the coalition,” Hamat Bah also told The Torch.
Following the confirmation of Dr Touray’s continued participation in the coalition, a number of opposition supporters expressed their delight on various social media sites.
Madi Jobarteh wrote: “Your gesture, Isatou is the manifestation of the values of that African Personality, who Nkrumah described as, “a dedicated, modest, honest, informed man and woman who submerge self in service to the nation and mankind. A man and woman who abhors greed and detests vanity. A new type of man and woman whose humility is his and her strength and whose integrity is his and her greatness.”
Gambians are heading to polls on December 1 and the nomination for presidential candidates is starting on November 7 while the 13-day campaign period kicks off on November 16.
Gambian opposition have formed a seven-party coalition with one independent, the largest in history, to take on President Yahya Jammeh who will be seeking his fifth term.
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
Posted - 04 Nov 2016 : 19:41:29
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Dialogue for peace and moving forward with coalition 2016 for Gambia
Press Release
Fellow Gambians it is with deep sense of patriotism and humility that I wish to hereby recognise Mr Adama Barrow as the coalition flag bearer. I also hereby unreservedly endorse his candidature and to congratulate him and the entire opposition, leaders and delegates for an unprecedented achievement in our nation’s history.
In demonstration of my leadership and in vindication of my desire to present myself as a unifying candidate for the opposition, I hereby acknowledge that the emergence of a single candidate under the banner of a unified opposition coalition is dream come true.
Fellow Gambians I must acknowledge the efforts done by Team Isatou in the Diaspora and Gambia and all those individuals who have formed a formidable force to bring the opposition together after 22 years of efforts to remove the Jammeh regime. Today, I celebrate all those who stood by me to effect the change we desire for the Gambia. I see nothing but the Gambia, a Gambia that will thrive on the principles of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedom. A Gambia, with good and strong institutions, that will work and thrive on policies and principles of good governance that will benefit all of us.
In this vein, I wish to hereby suspend my presidential election campaign and withdraw my candidature, so as to offer my unflinching support and cooperation to the coalition in a bid to stir the affairs of this country towards salvation from tyranny.
I wish to therefore thank all Gambians and non-Gambians, at home and abroad who have reposed their confidence and trust in me through various ways including financial and material donations, contributions of ideas and suggestions, community mobilization and routine campaign organization. Indeed I have been humbled and inspired by your support. I wish to urge all my supporters and indeed all Gambians to rally behind the candidature of Mr. Adama Barrow and the opposition to vote for the change we desire on December 1st. I equally urge all opposition parties, leaders and supporters, to put any party affiliations aside for sometimes and focus on unity of purpose and direction to remove this dictator with an overwhelming victory for the Coalition candidate come December 1st. I call on all of us to firmly stand behind this unity candidate under this coalition and seek the transformation of our country with a deep sense of urgency and love for the country.
My desire to step up and enter the political arena has never been for selfish interests, or material gain, but driven by a strong sense of patriotism and historic duty as a mother, a woman, a worker, human rights activist and above all a citizen who has witnessed the untold misery and deprivation that our people have been subjected to over the past 22 years. I wish to thank the Almighty Allah for giving me the life, courage and means to have taken the mantle of service for my people this far. I wish to pray to God to continue to guide and protect the Gambia and particularly to guide us all through this most difficult task of rescuing the country from uncertainty and hardships.
I wish Adama Barrow and my fellow coalition opposition leaders the best in this most important election of our lifetime so that we can emerge victorious and restore democracy. I wish Gambians and the Gambia, our dear motherland peace and stability, by the Grace of Almighty God. God Bless The Gambia.
In the Service of The Gambia I remain,
Yours Sincerely,
Dr. Isatou Touray
November 4, 2016 |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2016 : 11:25:09
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Adama Barrow resigns from UDP to lead the coalition
The Point: Tuesday, November 08, 2016
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/adama-barrow-resigns-from-udp-to-lead-the-coalition
 The leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) has resigned from the party to enable him contest in the forthcoming presidential election as the standard bearer of the opposition coalition.
“I do hereby tender my resignation as a member of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the positions that I hold in the party with immediate effect,” Adama Barrow said in a letter dated 3 November, addressed to the UDP deputy secretary and copied to the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
Barrow’s resignation is prompted by his election on 30 October 2016 as the standard bearer for the opposition coalition for the 1st December 2016 presidential election.
He shall now be contesting as an independent candidate backed by seven opposition political parties: People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism, National Reconciliation Party, National Convention Party, United Democratic Party, Gambia Moral Congress, Gambia Party for Development and Progress, and the People’s Progressive Party. Dr Isatou Touray, a former independent presidential aspirant, has also thrown her weight behind Mr Barrow.
In response to Mr Barrow’s resignation, UDP deputy secretary general, Mariam B. Secka, in a letter dated 5 November, said the executive of the party has met and “unanimously accepted” Barrow’s resignation “in the best interest of The Gambia”.
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
Posted - 11 Nov 2016 : 11:30:46
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Coalition candidate given clean bill of health for Dec poll
By Kaddijatou Jawo
The Point Thursday, November 10, 2016
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/coalition-candidate-given-clean-bill-of-health-for-dec-poll
 The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) yesterday received and endorsed the candidature of the coalition parties headed by standard bearer Adama Barrow, for the December 1 presidential election.
IEC Chairman Alieu Momar Njai, in his endorsement speech, told the delegates that their standard bearer was qualified to run for presidency, because he had produced all the required documents needed by the IEC.
The IEC chairman further said the elections could not be rigged, and “it is going to be free and fair”.
He stated that before voting starts, all the party agents would ensure that “the polling booth is totally empty” and ballot drums will be sealed in the presence of party agents and representatives.
He added that nobody has the right to enter the polling booth, except the one who is going to vote; so there would be transparency.
The IEC Chairman also added that election starts with the voter’s card, and that the biometric system had been put in place since 2011.
“It is a pride that the registration system was 100 per cent correct and all those who now possess voter cards are bonafide Gambians at the age of 18 or more, because IEC had invited all parties and agents to all regions and centres for them to object to anybody they feel was unqualified, either by age or nationality.”
“We make sure it is done properly, and we also appoint judges in all the regions so that any complaint that cannot be addressed on the spot should be addressed by those judges.”
He added that so far, during the last registration, there was no single case before a magistrate or judge and the voters list was 100 per cent accepted.
Also speaking, the IEC vice chairman, Malleh Sallah, appealed to stakeholders to maintain a peaceful election because, he added, at the end of the day everybody involved in the process does so in the interest and development of the country.
He said whatever people do, they should all have the code of conduct that would outline the good practice for the campaign, which should be abided by.
He said further that the IEC would always remain independent, and guarantee free and fair elections to the Gambian nation.
“We all need to show the world that our elections are world class,” he declared.
Adama Barrow, in his statement, emphasised on the independence of the IEC and that this will make everything easy for them in the field.
He also commended his colleagues for choosing him as the standard bearer, and called them his “generals”, because they have sacrificed a lot for them to come together and challenge the incumbent, come December 1.
Talking to the press shortly after his nomination, Barrow said he has no doubts about winning the election, because he has got a “very strong technical team”.
He said though they are facing numerous challenges, that has not stopped them from what they believe in and, come December 1, all their hard work and dedication would finally pay off.
“We will maintain peace and stability, and we will respect the rights of each and every Gambian,” Barrow assured all.
Picture: Dr Isatou Touray with flagbearer Adama Barrow |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Adama Barrow Elected Coalition Flag Bearer
