--- On Fri, 6/5/11, Lamin Darbo <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
From: Lamin Darbo <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: RE: [>-<] GMC congratulates APRC on Wuli East victory - INCHING TOWARDS JOINING BABILI MANSA
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Friday, 6 May, 2011, 11:05
Wandifa
I'm sorry if I -communicated.
Joe is a bean counter, and because it is too early in his part of the world, I was wondering why he was up this early.
I therefore wondered whether he was suffering from insomnia, or whether he is at work closing a deal as happens in legal, and accounting firms in the West. It was in that context only that I used the phrase "the tail end of an all-nighter closing a commercial deal". Absolutely no reference to Mai, or, the GMC
I hope that clarifies matters somewhat
LJDarbo
--- On Fri, 6/5/11, Wandifa Sanneh <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
From: Wandifa Sanneh <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: RE: [>-<] GMC congratulates APRC on Wuli East victory - INCHING TOWARDS JOINING BABILI MANSA
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Friday, 6 May, 2011, 10:47
LJD, Joe, Fangkung,
At first when Fangkung invented his own extended caption few days back "- INCHING TOWARDS JOINING BABILI MANSA", I thought it was prudent not to engage the habitual distorter because wise persons would see through the smoke screen. Now that two respectable commentators such as LJD etal have reflected their own thoughts, the matter ought to be accorded more consideration or perhaps clarification. There is precedent for this in Gambian politics. UDP Leader publicly congratulated Yaya Jammeh on national TV for his victory. I suppose going by the analogy and inferences being bandied around, would it be correct to infer that UDP´s congratulatory message to Yaya Jammeh on GRTS was "the tail end of an all-nighter closing a commercial deal?"
To infer that GMC´s congratulatory message was consequent to a possible commercial deal between the leadership and APRC is ludicrous, offensive, intentionally misleading and highly provocative. It is intentionally dishonest, and a sinister defamation of the worst cowardice and reveals more on the quality of the accuser. In a democracy, it is sportsmanlike to congratulate the winner if the results were not contentious, and that is what GMC meant exclusively when it says "credit should not only be granted where it is due, but when it is due". It means we must practice what we preach, accept defeat as democrats, and continue to engage each other on the sublime. As I understood, GMC had consulted PDOIS on the election to determine if they had issues with the victory of APRC at Wuli East, and there was none. If that inter-party consultations had disclosed any imputation to the contrary, GMC would have supported the PDOIS stand. GMC exists because we believe
in the electoral process to bring about political change, and we are ready to accept the the voice of the people if expressed freely and fairly through their votes. That was what happened at Wuli East, according to even PDOIS via consultations, and we all know that PDOIS would have acted if otherwise. Failure to acknowledge this principle is what created Kenya, Cote d´Ivoire, Brkina Faso, Ziimbabwe and else where. It is at best disingenuous to lift a phrase, a sentence or two from the main text with the sole intention of distorting them out of context so as to brush GMC with a murky paint. This has become a full time job for some since the inception of GMC; those whom from day one galloped to the public domain distorting relevant statutes, holding brief for Yankuba Touray (ex APRC mobiliser) and now for Colley as well. We are not daunted because we know your motive and you shall fail. Thank God, GMC´s fate would be determined by Gambian voters at the
polls, and this is what ultimately matters!
Wandifa Sanneh
Date: Fri, 6 May 2011 09:31:53 +0100
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [>-<] GMC congratulates APRC on Wuli East victory - INCHING TOWARDS JOINING BABILI MANSA
To: [log in to unmask]
CC: [log in to unmask]
Joe
Suffering from insomnia, t the tail-end of an all-nighter closing a commercial deal?
As always, thanks for your thoughts
In line with YJ, I'm "puzzled" too.
LJDarbo
--- On Fri, 6/5/11, Joe Joe <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
From: Joe Joe <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: [>-<] GMC congratulates APRC on Wuli East victory - INCHING TOWARDS JOINING BABILI MANSA
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Friday, 6 May, 2011, 9:26
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Che, why do we sometimes say stuff just to say stuff. I thought to just shrug my shoulders and ignore this, but I must register my thoughts in this case. I can understand the GMC congratulating the people of Wulli East for exercising their franchise if Mai wants to be politically correct. However, for a government that threatens voters to starve them to death if they do not vote for the Mansa or his party, where is the space for congratulations? A party as criminal as the APRC would not be supported with the atrocities they have committed.
"credit should be granted not only where it is due but also when it is due."
What credit? Is Mai really serious? Mai, many have tried to cuddle the porcupine as pet, only to be reminded of the painful reality. You think Yaya can murder tens of Gambians and others disappear for the last 16 years and for him to get religion overnight and play fair? Just because folks did not protest or heads were not cracked at the polls does not mean a vote is free, much less fair. I can hear those in agreement with Mai to state that none forced (kicked and beat) the people to vote for the APRC. To that I reply they do not understand what it means to live under tyranny. I can also hear them to use Wulli West as an example of what Wulli East could have done. To that I say some communities are more resilient and less corruptible. We have also seen communities that were very resilient succumb to the pressure, intimidation, and inducements of the tyrant. This message from the GMC is misplaced. The APRC through Yaya Jammeh used our
coffers to campaign, hugged the airwaves, television, etc; threaten the voters to not provide them services they deserve just like any community that pays taxes; controls the voter registration process and the IEC; controls the commissioners, Alkalolus, Imams, etc; and not to forget the soldiers. With all that, the GMC believes that the vote is free and fair. Is it Mai's opinion that the playing field is level? Well, they will have to drink that same medicine very soon, for nothing will change between now and November. All the above will be used with a dose ten times over and let's see what Mai's position will be. Yeah right, keep entertaining yourself that politics is about the battle of ideas and you are dealing with a dictatorship that has been murdering its citizens for the last sixteen years. Just recently Mai indicated that the government denied his team permit to hold a rally, and before that, he indicated his relatives were arrested
for waving a flag, only to wake up today to congratulate a fraud. Misplaced priorities if you ask me. They still are not getting it! We are not remotely ready for Prime Time. I see we are still clinging to the illusion of "Gambia no Problem". In addition to lack of organization that characterizes the opposition, you have them extending ill advised congratulations. I believe it was Demba Baldeh that said that the Opposition leaders are happy that Yaya is not locking them up that they do not know what to do with themselves. Congratulating Yaya Jammeh. Anukwale! What is next, to congratulate Yaya for the 25 mile of pavement; brick and mortar called schools; shells for hospitals; sending folks to Mecca; Roots Festival, etc. Anyway Joe, why bother?
Joe
Date: Wed, 4 May 2011 11:23:17 -0400
Subject: [>-<] GMC congratulates APRC on Wuli East victory - INCHING TOWARDS JOINING BABILI MANSA
From: [log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]
GMC congratulates APRC on Wuli East victory
Africa » Gambia
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
The opposition Gambia Moral Congress has congratulated the ruling APRC for its recent victory in the Wuli East constituency bye-election.
The ruling APRC, it would be recalled, won the contest with the opposition National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD) in the bye-election, which followed the death in March 2011 of Hon. Bekai Camara, National Assembly Member for Wuli East.
Saidou Sabally of the APRC polled 2,745 votes while Suwaibou Touray of NADD polled 1,849 votes. It would be recalled that Suwaibou also contested and lost to the APRC candidate in the 2007 legislative election.
In a congratulatory message sent to this paper yesterday, the GMC expressed belief that while it shall continue to provide a viable alternative to APRC, and continue to engage the government on the fundamental challenges the nation and citizens confront, credit should be granted not only where it is due but also when it is due.
What follows is the full text of the GMC statement:
The Party Leader and entire membership of the GMC congratulates the Party Leader and membership of the APRC on the election of their candidate Saidou Sabally in the Wuli East. The GMC believes that while we shall continue to provide a viable alternative to the APRC, and continue to engage the government on the fundamental challenges our nation and citizens confront, credit should be granted not only where it is due, but also when it is due. Politics is a battle of ideas and not a journey of hostility.
We congratulate the people of Wuli East for exercising their civic responsibility with maturity in such a manner that allows the peaceful co-existence among the indigenes to continue to prevail. We urge Mr. Sabally to extend a hand of friendship and understanding to the other side, realizing that he now represents all constituents equally, regardless of political inclinations.
He must promote reconciliation, unite the people, and work tirelessly in the interests of all Gambians in the National Assembly.
The GMC also congratulates the legendary patriotism of Mr. Swaebou Touray of the PDOIS. We wish him success in his endeavours.
The IEC staff, security forces and local government officials must be commended for a transparent and well coordinated election in Wuli East.
We view The Gambia as one family, one nation, one destiny, one dream. We should not allow politics and politicians to divide us. Say “No” to electoral malpractice, fraud, violence, and be vigilant.
Wuli East is a litmus test for the APRC to demonstrate humility and maturity. The APRC has a stake in advocating for, and enforcing meaningful level playing field in the electoral and electioneering processes.
These include, but not limited to, equal access to all information media, effective expression of dissent, the right to hold rallies without superfluous administrative hurdles, independent judiciary, and non intimidation or harassment of opposition supporters and sympathizers, while permitting the media to do their job unrestrained.
The APRC would achieve significant political mileage in terms of credibility if the leadership subject itself to equal standards on a level playing field with the opposition. We differ in political philosophy, but at the end of the day, it remains a Gambian political conversation – the expression of different ideas among members of the same family.
We believe that the result of an election should not be determined on what happens on polling day alone. If the electioneering and electoral processes of an election are not free and fair, the results of such an election shall not be considered free or fair, and would be automatically rejected outright.
We urge the ruling Party to demonstrably commit itself to assuring enabling conditions for genuine level playing field and engender political concord.
The APRC government should transparently adhere to best practices such as non-intimidation, harassment, and resisting the manipulative abuse of the judicial processes as a means to knock the opposition below the belt, or other actions that may provoke like reaction.
As we enter the political season in earnest, all stakeholders should remain true to The Gambia´s reputation as a peaceful country.
The GMC invites all Gambians to advert our minds to the relevance of the lyrics of the great Manding Griot Jaliba Kuyateh, in his song entitled “Politics”.
Author: Picture: Mai Fatty
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GOD BLESS THE GAMBIA.
LET US JOIN HANDS AND SUPPORT SHEIKH PROFESSOR DR. ALH YAHYA JAMMEH (NASIRU DEEN) TO BUILD OUR COUNTRY.
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