Folks, am sure you got my point even with the many typos and grammeroitical errors. The good thing is I'm not selling a publication, so you have to live with the mistakes and this will not be the last time either. :-)! Multitasking is the new way. Off to bed. Joe Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2013 17:54:28 -0600 From: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [G_L] In sympathy with PDOIS and FOROYAA’s approach in things Gambian To: [log in to unmask] Mbodge, a good summary of what PDOIS is to Gambia and how they continue to work towards change and educate Gambians, in their own way. I don't think any Gambian with commonsense will argue what PDOIS does for Gambians daily, especially when there are no elections in sight. As I write, I know our people are at their doorstep (regardless of party affiliation) seeking their help, support, advise, school fees, etc. And so the insults I'm hearing towards their persons is surprising and one can clealy see it is displaced agression or settling of scores. No question, they are doing what they can with what they got and I salute them. You are also right that change can come from the people, like we saw in let's say Senegal, the Arab Spring, or to some extent in South Africa. However, there is a difference in context and history when you juxterpose the Gambian situation with the above examples and in some instances they do overlap. What do I mean. Yes, in Senegal, the youths, Rappers, etc. started the struggle to get rid of the Wade Machine, but complemented by vocal opposition and civil society organizations against a regime that is very aware of the legacy of Senegal with her clean record of democracy. Those folks knew that Wade knows not to order the Military to have open season on them and the Military establishment will not have gone along because of the intertwining nature of politics and religion in Senegal. Every Colonel has a Seringe and belongs to an "Askan". In the Gambia that is not the case. We have a history of military coups and also a history of the Military mowing down any group of a couple of hundreds in front of them with the issue of an order. We also do not have a history of opposition political leaders being in the forefront of challenging detrimental laws crafted to sponsor state murders. The opposition are for the most part reactive and their route of choice is to file a legal brief or go the the press whenever the state murders 1, 10, or more of it's citizens or nabb their own comrades to torture. That is a a good arrangement for a dictator. Because he knows that he can litterally stay on until he dies in his sleep. The question is, can any of us live with that? On the flip side, the students did stood up in protest and 12 or so of them were murdered with countless wonded for life. A perfect opportunity for the opposition politicians to support the students, but instead at best they kept quiet or joined the Religious Dealers and psycophants to further abuse abuse them with language that supported the powers that be. With that kind of history, Gambians know that if they stand up against this regime they will be murdered and none will care. Gambians also know that political leaders, Imams, civil socity leaders, etc are not immune from this murderous regime. So , when each is vulnerable, alone, it makes perfect sense to stand as a group for a fighting chance. That is where the chicken or the egg debate commences. The opposition leaders know that they did not inculcate militancy within their ranks and if they were to stand up, they will not have anyone to stand up with them, just like when a certain Imam was nabbed illegally his congregation sympathised with him but did not have it in them to rescue him. In other parts of the world they will go for the head of whom ever ordered their arrest, much less torture them. The opposition in turn makes the case that if the people want this regime out, they will vote them out, even though all of us know that at this stage of our situation, elections where Yaya manipulates them with threats, murders, inducement, etc. is neither here nor there. And so, what gives? I fervently believe that it will be a waste of our time doing the same things we did the last 19 years to get rid of this murderer. Let me take this opportunity to bring a snippet of the South African context at this moment. Sharpville was a turning point and Mandela in his own wards told the world that their tactics up to that point was not working for a Murderous regime that did not hesitate to kill them. Thus, the birth of the military/militancy wing of the ANC. In the Gambian context where all aspect of life is threatened, it will be very wishfull for us to think that citizens can stand up, when they see their leaders even more vulnerable. It makes perfect sense for political leaders with following to use their base to if nothingelse protect themselves and their supports, forget the rest of Gambia for the moment. Yes, PDOIS can stick to their script and live by that moto to Yaya's natural life, but how does that help the rest of Gambia? Are they in this to help stop the bloodletting now, or are they more interested in their dogma? For PDOIS to say that they will not be part of any change but "Peaceful Change" means no matter how well meaning they are, that is not what Gambians need at this time. If they are of the view that even if it takes Yaya's eternity for that kind of change to happen they will still stick to their cause, then I am sorry that is not what Gambians need at the time. Coming to terms with that outlook is what a lot of diasporans who believed that PDOIS was a change agent to begin to look elswehere. Dogma is one thing, but when you begin to loose friends and sympathizers in a numbers game consistently and you continue to insist on your way or nothing, that is where PDOIS is at with many diasporans. They are not willing to change with what the people are asking for but without the people they will continue to see the same lukewarm response that they have experienced the last nineteen years. It is amazing to hear Gambians from the generation of the 80s and 90s who were inspired by PDOIS to manifest their disapointment with them with them. How does a party loose those generations and not see any need for change? Transitioning, diasporans, due to their proximity can say a lot of what's on the minds of the majority of Gambians who are inside Gambia. By so doing, the vocal among us cannot step foot in Gambia because the only folks who will know you dissapeared are those that came to meet you at the airport. It appears though that is the perfect line the politicians now utilizes - "if you are that great, why don't you come on the ground". For the most part, the only Gambians venturing in and out of Gambia in the open are Gambians who do not say a word about Yaya. If you are vocal and set foot in Gambia that is the last you will be heard from (especially men), and folks would be on this very distro to write about how wreckless you were or that you committed suicide knowing what awaited you. So, if you know that if you venture in the Gambia you will be minced meat and none will care, and if you say a word from the outside for those in the inside to tell you to come on the ground and say it, then like most of us do, we keek quiet like the rest of us, and the misery continues. Our society does not have a history of individual sacrifice. The ony way to break the stranglehold by Yaya is either a military take over, a militia, or mass protest. The first can happen sooner than the second and third, by virtue of the fact that they have guns, however limited in the their hands. Militia is a possibility but not many Gambians are interested at the moment, especially those on the outside. Mass protest by politicians and their supporters is the more remote for they told us it will happen on their dead bodies. And so, what is the meaning of our existence in relation to the situation in the Gambia? Dssclosure, my relationship with some of the leadership in PDOIS predates PDOIS and I was not in Gambia when PDOIS came into being. However, I have worked with them in their efforts to help the average Gambian in need over the years and will continue to do so as my location permits. However, I do not share their view of what Gambia needs to liberate from the clutches of a murderer, especially when we tried those tactics for 19 years, almost 2/3 of Jawara's entire regime. The route they and other political parties continue to follow will allow Yaya to die in his sleep still clutching our neck. By that time Moe would be of age for us to have a "Baby Doc" on our lap. An exchange with a fellow Gambian is stamped in my mind forever. In the heat of the exchange, he asked rhethorically, " I do not recall where Gambians asked you to care, so your caring is your busines". Walahi he got a point. So, as I voice my thoughts about our situation, I am always reminded about that question, who asked you to care? If the true answer is none, then what am I talking about? A very funny position to be in. Anyway, PDOIS have done many good things to add value to the lives of many Gambians and none can take that away from them. Regards, Joe Date: Sun, 1 Dec 2013 23:41:36 +0000 From: [log in to unmask] Subject: [G_L] In sympathy with PDOIS and FOROYAA’s approach in things Gambian To: [log in to unmask] In sympathy with PDOIS and FOROYAA’s approach in things Gambian By Momodou Olly Mboge, Norway Where can I start? Well, I acknowledged PDOIS as the kind of political organisation I would have joined if I were to commit myself to any political party structure at the very moment it appeared on the Gambian political terrain. I have been attracted to the 'discourse' pioneered by PDOIS's Sam Sarr and Halifa Sallah the first time I was given a publication by a Koto who was an early member of the party. The publication dealt with the now defunct 'Senegambia Confederation'. This was in 1985 during or after the Zone 2 football tournament. Prior, I was lucky enough to have been among the Maths (I was among the dullest)students taught by Sam Sarr at GHS who was always busy in trying to augment the welfare of the underprivileged students whilst making sure every student regardless of status equally got the best education they deserved. I was as well a keen follower of Halifa Sallah's radio programmes with broadcaster Alhaji Assan Njie of the then Radio Gambia. The programme was very popular. The kind of rapport between Alaji Assan Njie and Halifa mesmerized all listeners whilst at the same time educating us about our society's sociology. When Sedia Jatta published his resignation letter and join the PDOIS party, I thought 'woow' now Gambia has a real political alternative to Jawara's PPP. Sedia’s letter was a masterpiece. I became an avid reader of Foroyaa, which I use to get from my Koto, and when I was able to afford one, I would of course purchase a copy from vendors. I use to buy the paper from MR Jones who use to stand by the Education Department near McCarthy Square in Banjul. I was very disappointed when I heard Jones 'jumped' ship and joined the APRC. Now he is history. Anyway, PDOIS at the time became the party all the youth wanted listen to. The Jawara regime did all it could to destroy the party. The PPP supporters of SereKunda East ferociously attacked Halifa Sallah where he stood against their candidate. They did it in the nastiest and most derogatory manner one can imagine. In addition, I remember that captivating moment when Sam Sarr challenged President Jawara on Radio Gambia and if I am not mistaken it was something about the Senegambia Confederation. All those who were listening to Radio Gambia knew Jawara was not happy with Sam Sarr’s line of questioning. Following this confrontation with the then president Foroyaa was excluded from all news conferences that were held at the State House. During the 1987 elections, PDOIS was able to present only five candidates. At LatriKunda German, Adama Bah the Hotelier was the candidate if I remember well. I voted for the PDOIS for parliament and NCP for the Presidency since the PDOIS had no presidential candidate. Some of us who had voting cards were illegally (21 years was the legal age to vote) registered by the ruling regime's members in the hope of getting our votes. THE PARTY'S PROGRAMME AND its PRACTICAL DEVELOPMENTAL INITIATIVES WERE the main attractions to me. It is, as it was unusual for a political party in the Gambia to have a newspaper to spread its message and to open schools to educate the poor as well as virtually running a social clinic where people come for help. It is also through reading PDOIS writings I started to understand the functions of state institutions and what the purpose of a nation state’s constitution was. I was as I am still attracted to PDOIS because they use dialogue and conversation to communicate their position. They have stated since their inception that they will only be part of a government that is in the real sense the choice of the people. It is only through peaceful democratic changes that PDOIS will ever be in power. THUS AS FAR AS I AM CONCERN PDOIS HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR WITH THEIR POSITION AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE EXPECT PDOIS TO DO THEIR BIDDING. I MUST ADD THAT ACTIONS SUCH AS THAT OF DUGA MUST NOT BE CONDEMNED BY PDOIS or anyone else. I UNDERSTAND, IT WAS BECAUSE OF MANY YEARS of a RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A DUGA MEMBER AND THE PDOIS FOLK THAT PROMPTED an opinion from the senior member of PDOIS. I still think the criticism could have been made differently. In countries where people take to the streets and confront a government, that is abusing its power such as was the case of WADE’s Senegal or the so-called 'Arab Spring’ countries, political parties never lead in the way, they always pursue the political solution. For example in Senegal, the youths said enough is enough and took the initiative to take on the Wade government head-on. Some set fire to themselves in the streets and died whilst many fought running battles with the police and other security structures for change to happen. Human Rights organisations were vocal in condemning the excesses of the regime and some rights activists such as Alioune Tine were beaten seriously but stayed on to finish the fight. Youths and other groups in the SENEGALESE DIASPORA WORKED WITH GROUPS OF THEIR CHOICE TO EFFECT CHANGE. SOME in the DIASPORA WHO WERE COMMITTED AND WERE READY TO BE MAIMED, IMPRISONED OR DIE FOR THEIR COUNTRY WENT BACK HOME AND JOINED THE FRONTLINE IN the FIGHT FOR WADE to go. They did not spend their time condemning politicians and others for not doing what they would not do. ORDINARY PEOPLE TOOK THE LEAD AND THE POLITICIANS HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO GIVE THEM SUPPORT. A political solution came into being when the whole Senegalese nation including religious leaders and other stakeholders realize that the country was going down if WADE DIDN'T GO. The opposition joined forces during the second round of voting in April 2012 and the rest is history. It is the ordinary PEOPLE WHO WOULD SPONTANEOUSLY PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE WHEN THE CRITICAL MOMENT COMES and POLITICIANS will not PROMPT them. I have been hearing people talking about the South Africa experience in comparison with Gambia. The comparison is wrong in my view. The ANC and some of the major groups in SA in the late eighties and nineties were less confrontational. Actually, one can safely say that it was the youths following the 1976 SOWETO UPRISING and influenced by BIKO's militant BLACK CONSCIOUSNESS message that made South Africa ungovernable in the eighties onwards. A political solution eventually had be found. One must understand the ANC philosophy, which obtained during the time it took power in 1994 was non-confrontational and it is this that justified its elite to shamefully attempt to makeWinnie MANDELA the villain because she was with the youth. Anyway, I have digressed. Like any of us, the PDOIS people are human beings and sometimes they make mistakes in communicating their message. The PDOIS party must be persistently challenged and be able to endure such in good faith. I have no doubt they are up to the task. That said the PDOIS critics must criticise in good faith. Given the recent flood of insults in the name of criticism one is inclined to believe this would not be the case. I wonder how in the name of disagreeing with a party’s position, one will outlandishly call its members and leaders names. I am still trying to understand why the persistent lies and innuendoes. Furthermore, I am still unable to comprehend the wretched excuses put forward when the critics’ accusations and insinuations are given attention by the slandered. IT IS EVEN RATHER MORE SHAMEFUL TO SEE disgraced HUSTLERS AND FORMER ENABLERS WHO HELPED JAMMEH CONSOLIDATE HIS GRIP BEING APPLAUDED for their pretentious heroism and the trashy CARICATURING of opposition leaders on the ground. If the critics OF THE OPPOSITION PARTIES LIVING IN THE DIASPORA who themselves were abused by the regime in The Gambia are honest given the soundings of their rhetoric, why are they not on the ground leading by example. Are these so-called very angry Gambia loving self-stroking heroes and heroines ready to walk the walk and go to the Gambia where it really matters to be maimed, imprisoned and murdered in the hope of hastening the exit of the CRIMINAL JAMMEH. Are our female diaspora critics ready to be Gambia’s Aline Sitoe Diatta who fought oppression and HAD TO BE imprisoned outside of Senegal by the French? Will our Gambian Steve Biko’s or Chris Hani’s (gallant men who died because they refused to abdicate their responsibilities to others) stand-up and be willing to die so that their people could be free? UNLESS AND UNTIL WE ARE REAL TO OURSELVES, NO AMOUNT of self-stroking delusional heroism and gloating over some ill-perceived timidity or selfishness of the opposition leaders on the ground in the Gambia will bring about Jammeh’s immediate exit. In the interim, I salute the great men and women of the opposition against Jammeh both at home and abroad who are doing what they could without disparaging other peoples genuine efforts to bring real democracy to Gambia. ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ 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] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ 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] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ 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] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤