--- On Thu, 19/5/11, Lamin J Darbo <[log in to unmask]> wrote: From: Lamin J Darbo <[log in to unmask]> Subject: RE: [>-<] The deteriorating condition of Gambians in The Gambia To: "GPost" <[log in to unmask]> Date: Thursday, 19 May, 2011, 22:26 Mboge As my good friend Joe said, you and I are on "the same page" regarding the type of polity we would like to see materialise in The Gambia. On whether I think shouting down "any who coughs any kind of dissenting opinion on Darboe the politician and UDP politics" is likely to work as a strategy, I have no hesitation in answering that question in the negative. However, I hasten to add that context is vital and that the overall structure of a topic may shape individual views/perceptions of where a conversation is going. Personally, I endeavour to always err on the side of caution by adhering strictly to the golden rule, i.e., do unto others ... In a country without institutions to restrain routine executive lawlessness, we can never be absolutely certain how a government emerging from opposition is likely to behave. As a result, some level of risk is unavoidable irrespective of whether we are talking Ousainou, Hamat, or Halifa. Around the inevitable uncertainties, those aspiring to govern us must demonstrate leadership by engaging each other in good faith negotiations if only because the dictatorship cannot be seriously challenged by any party, and, or, leader, standing alone. On your reaction regarding my take on the UDP-Sidia 'negotiations', I respect your dissenting perspective. As a society, we need independent minds, and I never remotely wavered from my view of you as both fair and independent. Along the spirit of the Federalist Papers, I would be pleased to read a reasoned, impassioned take from you on why the Professor must go, and how a united front is the only mechanism capable of delivering such an outcome. Our friend Babagalleh Jallow has agreed to do this nearer the time, and I now encourage him to speak directly to the opposition leaders on why they must give us the united front we are demanding. I am working on a similar communication. I encourage others to place written communication in the public space appealing to opposition leaders to place the interest of suffering Gambia above personal ambitions that are not achievable outside a united front. It may not be a bad idea for us to produce a single plea for a united front before nominations are due for presidential candidates. LJDarbo Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 13:02:37 +0200 Subject: Re: [>-<] The deteriorating condition of Gambians in The Gambia From: [log in to unmask] To: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask] LJD, Thanks for your response, always appreciated. As you continuously allude in your write-ups democratic governance is achieved and sustained based on the struggle of citizens who are dedicated and ready to take the plunge to uphold their sacred, indivisible non-negotiable human rights entitled to them simply due to their intrinsic humanity. Democracy building means also we are all required to deal with each other with respect, courtesy and decorum regardless of however difficult to deal with our convictions and political believes. We don't have to like each or even try to do so. I do not claim to be one of those who carry myself in my exchanges with others with decorum or courtesy for i carry my heart on my sleeve. I only represent myself and my opinions for i am not a member of any political movement but just a sympathiser when it comes to Gambian party politics of PDOIS. I am still wondering what powers PDOIS or Halifa possess to remote control anyone's thoughts or opinion. Don't think they have any to do so. Now you say that no opposition outfit is capable of dislodging The Kanalai Thief and Butcher yet the opposition that claims to be the largest and want all to stand behind it are allowing their proxies to use the most unsavoury language on those they want to bring on board. The new strategy it seems coming from the UDP through its proxies is to intimidate and shout down any who coughs any kind of dissenting opinion on Darboe the politician and UDP politics. Do you think this will work. I mean who the hell are these bunch who think they hold the monopoly of being rude and vulgar. Well, they must be mistaken, we can all wear the hat anyhow we like it when we feel like it. When you critique PDOIS recently on the meeting with the UDP, i think it was genuine and has some merit (though i do not necessarily agree with what you said) but at least was inspired by your undiminished concern to ultimately seeing the opposition working together to dislodge the common menace Jammeh. I do not see PDOIS's position as intransigent or inflexible but being careful of what they are being shouted at to get into given the recent history of the opposition coming together. Opposition alliances/coalitions in our region are fraud with the largest parties just wanting the smaller ones to support them to gain power only to be disappointments. I do not claim the UDP is likely to do as seen in say Senegal (wish i had powers of clairvoyance) if ever they become elected within an alliance but things must go beyond regime change. Going haywire vulgar and insulting people and claiming that you are not controlled by any is foolhardy and all of us can wear the hat of vulgarity if we need to. And by God no one is sacred in my book if they think they can insult, put down others just because they think they have the right to be rude. Best, Mboge On Tue, May 17, 2011 at 6:33 PM, Lamin J Darbo <[log in to unmask]> wrote: Mboge UDP, unquestionably the largest opposition party, cannot do it alone. No opposition outfit can! For me, the critical issue is whether we want a complete governance package going into elections, or win first and consult widely and sensibly on building a proper democratic architecture for a new Gambia. In my view, there is no alternative to an incrementalist approach, i.e., we go into elections as a united front, with some details on a potential government agreed, and agree, even if tentatively, on building flesh around the skeletons of a democratic state after dislodging despotism from our public life. A united front has a logic that transcends the individual strengths of different parties, and when it comes to it, an inconclusive election may forcibly swung the way of the opposition. LJDarbo Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 17:51:15 +0200 Subject: Re: [>-<] The deteriorating condition of Gambians in The Gambia From: [log in to unmask] To: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask] I find it extraordinary that there is even talk of coalition or whatever one calls it. UDP had declared victory (a landslide) long ago and the less than 5% PDOIS draws is insignificant to them as i understand the rhetoric it's foot soldiers have been trumpeting. Whatever PDOIS does is not gonna satisfy some of her interlocutors who if they had their wishes wanna see PDOIS fade and fizzle into oblivion. NADD failed and no one wants to take responsibility, rather we are bamboozled with outlandish and some of the most ridiculous concoctions of reasons that the whole thing was a subterfuge by PDOIS and Halifa in particular who wanted to gain power undeservedly. Now however flawed the AGENDA 11 is and indeed there are some problems with it at least it is an attempt to give those whom PDOIS desires to represent how things can be done. Now if the only reason for a UDP led alliance or coalition is that it is the biggest so everyone just have to be mute and follow them willy-nilly then that equally is a none starter. The examples of how coalition governments comes about such as the Conservative-Lib Dem pack that some have been talking about was only possible following elections and there was no clear winner able to form a government. There was never any talk of coalition between Cameron and Clegg prior to the elections of 2010 that i know of and if there were any negotiations for coming together the dynamics would have been totally different. Let the UDP (the biggest party?) juggernaut as we are made to believe gather extra momentum and coast to victory and Gambia shall live happily ever after. Mboge On Tue, May 17, 2011 at 4:34 PM, Pasamba Jow <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > "An "extraordinary solution" would first require Mr Joof to articulate that PDOIS bears greatest responsibility in so far failed efforts to assemble a united front." > Mr. Darboe, with all due respect, i find your above assertion as completely outrageous and without merit. This notion that PDOIS should just follow the UDP because it is the largest opposition party is out right rediculous. We would want the UDP to atleast produce a policy document on how and why people should join them in a party led coalition. I hope you will not also blame PDOIS for Hamat's decision to pull out of the UDP/NRP alliance? > pasamba Jow > > > "True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. > > > > > ________________________________ > Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 15:02:08 +0100 > From: [log in to unmask] > Subject: RE: [>-<] The deteriorating condition of Gambians in The Gambia > To: [log in to unmask] > > George > > Mr Omar Joof has captured the dominant aspirations of Diaspora-based opposition supporters, but there is no question where major responsibility for the impasse in creating a united front lies. An "extraordinary solution" would first require Mr Joof to articulate that PDOIS bears greatest responsibility in so far failed efforts to assemble a united front. > > Like you, I read the positions of the key players, and on current evidence, there is no realistic hope for a united front. > > Unlike Mr Joof, I see no need to coax over the unachievable > > > > > > LJDarbo. > > > > > --- On Tue, 17/5/11, George Sarr <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > From: George Sarr <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: RE: [>-<] The deteriorating condition of Gambians in The Gambia > To: [log in to unmask] > Date: Tuesday, 17 May, 2011, 14:02 > > Well said Omar. Well said! > > Sent via DROID on Verizon Wireless > > -----Original message----- > > From: omar joof <[log in to unmask]> > To: [log in to unmask] > Sent: Mon, May 16, 2011 17:11:15 GMT+00:00 > Subject: RE: [>-<] The deteriorating condition of Gambians in The Gambia > > Daffeh, > The perfect solution indeed is to ensure that there is a single opposition coalition candidate to challenge dictator Yaya Jammeh in The December presidential poll. The scenario we are faced with in The Gambia is extraordinary, and thus requires an extraordinary solution. > I have no doubt that The UDP in terms of national following, is not just the biggest opposition party in The Gambia, but it is indeed the biggest political party in the country. A coalition that removes Yaya Jammeh can only be to the UDP's interest, but that can only be a coalition which includes not only all the opposition parties, but also PDOIS/NADD in particular. Only such an all inclusive opposition coalition will have the muscle to resist the criminality which constitutes the modus operandi of the A(F)PRC. The moment nomination day ends with a single opposition candidate up against Yaya Jammeh, you will witness Gambians in their thousands standing up for such an opposition candidate. There will be generated such a tremendous momentum for change that Yaya Jammeh even with all his green berets, will not be able to campaign in some places. This is not a matter of conjecture, but it is a fact, as we know how Jammeh has been stealing elections in The Gambia over the years. > I am certain about another thing: In view of the banditry, brutality and criminality which characterize the body politics of the A(F)PRC, to contribute towards the regimes constitutional removal from power is a moral duty. Similarly, to procrastinate the evolution of the framework which to the majority of our citizenry and well wishers constitutes the perfect solution, should constitute a moral transgression. Though no person should hold moral judgement over another, this regime has been so murderous, that it can only be deemed to have committed the worst against us. This also helps to highlight the mess we are in, and make all the more obvious the urgency of the need for national sacrifice and compromise. > Finally, I intend not to abide by your advice if we do not have a single opposition coalition candidate to challenge dictator Jammeh in the forthcoming presidential poll in The Gambia. However, whatever resources I have to contribute shall be equally divided between all the opposition parties. For me, they are all comrades-in-arms against murderers and friends of rapists! > In conclusion, I hereby remind all our opposition leaders of the teaching of a man at the beginning of his eternal journey to his children. The man called all his children. When they were all gathered, he asked fo a traditional African broom to be brought in. When his request was complied with, he untied the broom and requested one of the children to sweep the floor with just one of the sticks from the collection that make up the broom. The act was impossible to perform. But when the sticks were put together again, the act of sweeping the floor became possible. The story teaches not only the significance of unity, but how paramount it is, especially when what constitutes the bottom line is messed up; like when truth and justice are not part of the basis of our national dialogue and interactions, like what obtains in The Gambia now. > Best of regards, > Omar Joof. > > > > ________________________________ > Date: Sat, 14 May 2011 19:31:46 +0100 > Subject: Re: [>-<] The deteriorating condition of Gambians in The Gambia > From: [log in to unmask] > To: [log in to unmask] > > Ansu, here is the perfect solution to this problem; Vote UDP if you live in The Gambia or canvass for votes and funds for the UDP if you lived outside The Gambia.. > > Regards > Daffeh > > On 14 May 2011 18:49, ansukoroma <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > Sixteen years of tyrannical rule has plunged The Gambia further into an abyss of a rat hole that will take generations to rectify. Thanks to Yaya Jammeh - a military police corporal passing himself off as Head of State. > > Gambia's economy has been the number one victim of Jammeh's misrule outside of the human rights and liberties of Gambians which has been under assault since 22 July 1996. The economy has been decimated by sheer ignorance of a collection of sycophants led by Jammeh, whose sole role seem to be is to pilfer an economic system that, despite its shortcomings and inefficiencies under Jawara, has brought economic order through a reasonably predictable model of free enterprise. The invisible hand has been transformed into the very visible hand of a single individual who tries to single-handedly determine the demand and supply curves of the Gambian economy. Yaya Jammeh allocate public resources by determining the level of the annual budget and then turns around and use those very resources to purchase goods and services for government and political agents. The goods and services bought under Jammeh are more to do with highly depreciable assets like vehicles, tractors and other leisure vehicles and less to do with expenditures that will add lasting value to the economy. For example, less resources are allocated to school supplies, teacher training and teacher education and consumables and more on vehicles and buildings. The same applies to the health sector where it is common to see a shining ill-equipped hospital facility with empty medicine cabinets. > > The resultant budget deficit has been a drag on the economy resulting in higher interest rates adding to the inflationary pressures that ordinary folks encounter daily. To ameriorate the fiscal pressures on government, there is a less-publisized measure of salary reduction for public servants to help pay for the irreponsible spending spree of an indeciplined giovernment. Reducing civil service pay during an economic down-turn only adds to an already difficult living condition for Gambians. It is now a common sight in the Greater Banjul area to see people walking along the Serrekunda-Banjul highway to work in Banjul bacasue they can no longer afford the transport fare which can easily total D25 per day, a sector now domonated by Jammeh transport companies. It has gotten that bad, folks. I don't know how long we can afford to sit and watch our country destroyed by a corrupt, inept and vicious government. > > A. Koroma > > €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€