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From: [log in to unmask]

Date: Fri, 10 Dec 2010 21:17:48 

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Subject: Statement by Mr. Ousainu Darboe on his meeting with Hon. Sidia Jatta at Bundung on Sunday 7th November, 2010



Statement by Mr. Ousainu Darboe on his meeting with Hon. Sidia Jatta at Bundung on Sunday 7th November, 2010

On Sunday 7th November 2010 Mr. Kemesseng Jammeh accompanied me to meet with Mr. Sidia Jatta to discuss with him the United Democratic Party’s (UDP) proposal for a united opposition front to contest the next three cycles of elections. When I met Mr. Jatta I was under the impression that I was meeting him not in his capacity as National member for Wuli West but as the person designated by PDOIS to deal with inter- party matters. I had previously been informed by Mr. Jatta that he was the person to deal with on matters touching on party relationships. This was after my failed attempts to reach Mr. Sallah the spokesperson for NADD and Secretary General of PDOIS.

I was very direct in presenting the position of UDP on the selection of a candidate for the 2011 presidential race. I reminded Mr. Jatta that a primary which is very central in the Agenda 2011 is conducted amongst aspiring candidates that belong to the same party. Holding of a primary for aspiring candidates from different political parties is bound to create disunity amongst the parties and the whole purpose of creating a formidable united front will be defeated. Since the elections are fast approaching, there may not be enough time to repair any damage that is caused in the process by aspiring candidate trying to win support. Such a situation I said could be exploited by opponents.

I then made the point that the well known norm for the creation of an opposition alliance is for the majority party to lead and others throw behind that party.  In my bid to disabuse Mr. Jatta’s mind about my personal ambition to contest the 2011 presidential elections, I expressed disappointment that whenever the UDP makes a proposal for a party led alliance the focus shifts to OUSAINU DARBOE in wanting to be the candidate for the alliance.  I told him that I am realistic to recognize the fact that a lot of things can happen that would prevent any one from contesting the next presidential election. I said to him that I could step out of his house and then drop dead; that I could be struck by ailment that could render me physically or mentally unfit to contest any election. So the focus should not be on me but on the concept of a party led alliance.

I want to make it clear to every Gambian that the views I express on the issue of an apposition united front are views of the UDP. I do not advocate for such and an alliance because I want to position myself to lead.

In the course of the discussions I questioned Mr. Jatta on the rationale for imposing a condition on a successful all opposition alliance presidential candidate  not to contest elections or support any candidate for election at the end of what is described in  Agenda 2011 as a transitional period. The UDP has always advocated and will continue to advocate for a two year term limit. I told Mr. Jatta that the imposition of such a condition to my mind calls into question the integrity of the person who is selected by the alliance as a candidate. I made it clear to him that for the UDP such a condition suggests that the person so selected will not abide by the accepted rules and that he would only perpetuate himself in office. I made it clear to him the UDP will not consider such a person fit to be selected as an all opposition alliance candidate because there is some latent doubt that  when elected to the office of president he will not honour his commitment to ensuring that all parties operate in a level playing field. Mr. Jatta in reply said that the stipulation of such a condition was not putting into question the integrity of any person who might be selected as an all opposition alliance candidate but that such a person would have an advantage over others. I took my enquires further and asked Mr. Jatta what this advantage(s) might be but he could not say.

The discussion on NADD was a reminder to both of us that the decision to register it should not have been taken. At this point Mr. Kemesseng  Jammeh then intervened to say that the UDP advised against registration of NADD but the advice was not heeded. Mr. Jatta said a merger of political parties could have been registered but I pointed out to him that there was no clause at that time in the constitution of any of the parties that allows for a merger.

Mr. Jatta said if he was around at the time he would have suggested that all parties convene an extraordinary congress to amend their constitutions and insert a clause for mergers so that NADD could be registered without any problem. This was the only occasion and it was only in this context that the word “Extraordinary” was used.

Mr. Jammeh intervened again and asked how candidates for National Assembly elections will be elected under Agenda 2011 proposal. Mr. Jatta replied that this could be done on the basis of party strength in the constituencies. With that response from Mr. Jatta, I said to him if one can apply the principle of party strength to selection of National Assembly candidates why not for the selection of a presidential candidate.

Mr. Jatta did not give any direct answer to my enquiries. He said that for the interest of this country he is flexible. I then said this statement is re-assuring and comforting. I repeated these three times and on the third occasion Mr. Jatta said when he said he was flexible he was just stating his personal position and not his party’s. I again said even with that I felt assured and comforted.

I met Mr. Jatta and presented him proposals for PDOIS/NAAD consideration. Therefore Mr. Jatta could not be waiting for me. Rather I was waiting to hear from him. I did not commit myself to the holding of any meeting of the executive of the UDP whether regular or extraordinary to discuss the adoption of Agenda 2011by the UDP. It is simply incorrect that any individual’s candidature was in issue. The discussions were focused on the concepts of Agenda 2011 and a party led alliance

When I subsequently reported to the National Executive Committee of the UDP on the discussion I had with Mr. Jatta, I impressed on all members of the committee that since we were engaged in consultation with Mr. Jatta, it will not be in keeping with tradition for any one of them to disclose to any member of our party or for that matter to any other person the content of my discussions with Mr. Jatta. But then I did not realize that whilst I was urging members of the U.D.P not to divulge to the public the contents of my discussions with Mr. Jatta, he was in fact taking steps to represent to Gambians and others that my consultations with him centered on Agenda 2011 and the promotion of my candidature. This representation is simply not correct.

Before we went into the discussion/consultation proper, I told Mr. Jatta that I had personally refrained from talking to the press on what I believe to have been the reasons for NADD’S disintegration or impediments for the creation of an all opposition alliance because I do not want anyone to take comfort in what some describe as “opposition squabbles”. The UDP has in the past ignored comments and statements to which it can legitimately react unless there is compelling reason to do so. Mr. Jatta’s statement in the Foroyaa issue of 6-7 December 2010 is one such compelling reason.

The UDP has not accused anyone of foot dragging and any suggestion that the UDP is engaged in foot dragging is simply misrepresenting UDP’s position. The efforts made by the UDP between 19th October 2010 when Mr. Jatta was in Wuli and 6th November for me to meet with him speak volume of its commitment to the idea of a united opposition to rescue The Gambia. UDP will continue with its consultation with all opposition parties so that a robust and formidable united opposition will emerge to unseat the incumbent. UDP hopes that PDOIS/NADD will be part of this united opposition.

The opposition elements in The Gambia must approach the problems of this country with seriousness. We must avoid publicity just for its sake. Tempus fugit. We should not allow time to run out on Gambians.

 

A.N.M Ousainu Darboe

Secretary General & Leader UDP

United Democratic Party Secretariat             

8th December 2010

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