NDAM SWIMS AGAINST THE TIDE
NDAM SWIMS AGAINST THE TIDE
At this critical juncture of world politics, we want to engage the Gambian
front of the African revolution, our comrades in struggle and all the
progressive and freedom loving people of the world in a principled struggle
to change the world.
Since we have decided to swim against the tide, we cannot afford to be
trapped in the “NET” and get drowned, even before we win the hearts and
minds of the Gambian people. The people must know what we stand for, and we
don’t fall for anything short of total liberation.
LET’S TAKE IT TO THE PEOPLE
Subsequent to the “Diaspora Summit” in Atlanta, Georgia; two tendencies have
emerged regarding the proposal to form a coalition to oust Jammeh and the
AFPRC- APRC regime. For the sake of clarity into this history making, we
want to reaffirm our position before and after the summit by concurring with
our Secretary General, Lamin Waa Juwara.
We strongly believe that our approach is the correct approach; that all the
structural political contradictions such as the flagrant Independent
Electoral Commission (IEC) and all the other roadblocks of the electoral
system be resolved, not only for a viable and formidable coalition but also
for our future national stability. At the summit, our Deputy secretary
General clearly stated our position by posing three significant questions:
coalition for what, why and with who?
In this process there are two participants - those who choose the line of
least resistance approach, a quick fix for short term gains as oppose to us
who take the line of struggle, even if painstaking for long term gains.
Faulty planning and the cart before the horse approach has become an
inherent hindrance for a way forward.
Here in lies the essence of the summit, its aftermath and most importantly
the future of our beloved country. The two approaches in question require
our attention. The advocates of dialogue, the mere exchange of ideas,
usually get stuck at this level and intent to hold us hostage to stagnant
ideas. In contrast, the approach of struggle is more engaged. It is like
untying the knots on a rope to realize the full length of the rope for its
maximum utilization. Ideas remain as mere ideas until they are put to the
test for their validation. Therefore, AGERA, notwithstanding its
contradictions, should resist being held hostage to dead ideas and worst
still, any individual’s imagination of how they want things to be rather
than how things are supposed to be.
Our quest is to uproot errors and bring forth truth and fact seeking methods
to guide our practice, for facts properly set forth will tell their own
story. To realize our quest, we must be willing for the complete demolition
of the present political structure and empower the Gambian people not only
through voting but instead by taking part in the process to build a new a
structure.
Joseph Stalin once said: “Those who cast the votes decide nothing; those who
count the votes decide everything”. The classic example of this statement is
best exemplified by the outcome of the 2000 elections in the USA, when
“those who counted the votes” “selected” the president.
In our own case, the electoral process in Africa is equally corrupt and
monstrously riven with irregularities. The 2001 elections that were rigged
by the IEC, by allowing non-citizens as well as those not on the voter
register to vote, is one example. To ignore this glaring fact is in our
view, irresponsible and tantamount to “committing political suicide.”
Since we have been cajoled into this “blind-folded” conviction to voting, it
will be very difficult to change this mind set without struggle through
political education. We need mentally developed voters to grapple with the
politics of “electioneering”.
But what is a vote? Can a vote in and of itself determine power? This
exercise of voting has historically been under the most organized and
equipped system of flattery with empty promises of “freedom” and reforms for
a better life, when all evidence shows a life of misery. A vote is a mere
expression of ones opinion or choice on a wide range of societal issues but
our interest will focus on the “ultimate vote”; voting to elect officials to
wield state power. What’s at stake here is POWER, people’s power at best.
If we remain a disorganized country, we will be casting votes forever and
ever with no fundamental changes in our lives. This is why we task
ourselves to re-structure the mechanics of the electoral system.
My vote, your vote and Jammeh’s vote are the same; a mere piece of paper or
marble both of us drop into the ballot box to be counted by those in power
or their designates, including the “courts”.
To us, the fundamental issue is not elections and voting in and of
themselves for quite frankly, we did not vote ourselves into slavery,
colonialism, poverty and “under-development, these horrors were reigned upon
us.
We must come to the realization that we can’t vote ourselves out of this
misery. It is going to take more than just voting to replace this rotten
structure that the AFPRC-APRC has taken to the gutter level.
This reality is the point of our contention in regards to the coalition. It
seems like all the honest Gambians consider our questions legitimate and
worthy of a formidable coalition, unlike our “self-appointed trustees of the
coalition”, who resort to slander and insults rather than a constructive
criticism.
Finally, the unfounded suggestion that the coalition is already in
“disarray” simply because we ask questions indicates a poor choice of words.
It’s been only three months since the historic “Diaspora Summit” and if
there is any semblance of “disarray” it is not coming from us. We will
continue to be forthright and honest about our participation in the process.
It is this incorrect approach of “anything but Jammeh and the APRC” that
spelled the doom of many political coalitions. Let us do the work right on a
solid ground that accommodates the future structures of the proud-future
Gambia we envision.
In conclusion, we believe it will serve us better to take part in the
process directly by joining a political party as oppose to being on the side
lines giving orders. Organization is a source of strength and
self-discipline, and in our view, that is what most people are scared of,
the process to become disciplined and principled.
NO PARTICIPATION NO RIGHT TO SPEAK!
NDAM
At this critical juncture of world politics, we want to engage the Gambian
front of the African revolution, our comrades in struggle and all the
progressive and freedom loving people of the world in a principled struggle
to change the world.
Since we have decided to swim against the tide, we cannot afford to be
trapped in the “NET” and get drowned, even before we win the hearts and
minds of the Gambian people. The people must know what we stand for, and we
don’t fall for anything short of total liberation.
LET’S TAKE IT TO THE PEOPLE
Subsequent to the “Diaspora Summit” in Atlanta, Georgia; two tendencies have
emerged regarding the proposal to form a coalition to oust Jammeh and the
AFPRC- APRC regime. For the sake of clarity into this history making, we
want to reaffirm our position before and after the summit by concurring with
our Secretary General, Lamin Waa Juwara.
We strongly believe that our approach is the correct approach; that all the
structural political contradictions such as the flagrant Independent
Electoral Commission (IEC) and all the other roadblocks of the electoral
system be resolved, not only for a viable and formidable coalition but also
for our future national stability. At the summit, our Deputy secretary
General clearly stated our position by posing three significant questions:
coalition for what, why and with who?
In this process there are two participants - those who choose the line of
least resistance approach, a quick fix for short term gains as oppose to us
who take the line of struggle, even if painstaking for long term gains.
Faulty planning and the cart before the horse approach has become an
inherent hindrance for a way forward.
Here in lies the essence of the summit, its aftermath and most importantly
the future of our beloved country. The two approaches in question require
our attention. The advocates of dialogue, the mere exchange of ideas,
usually get stuck at this level and intent to hold us hostage to stagnant
ideas. In contrast, the approach of struggle is more engaged. It is like
untying the knots on a rope to realize the full length of the rope for its
maximum utilization. Ideas remain as mere ideas until they are put to the
test for their validation. Therefore, AGERA, notwithstanding its
contradictions, should resist being held hostage to dead ideas and worst
still, any individual’s imagination of how they want things to be rather
than how things are supposed to be.
Our quest is to uproot errors and bring forth truth and fact seeking methods
to guide our practice, for facts properly set forth will tell their own
story. To realize our quest, we must be willing for the complete demolition
of the present political structure and empower the Gambian people not only
through voting but instead by taking part in the process to build a new a
structure.
Joseph Stalin once said: “Those who cast the votes decide nothing; those who
count the votes decide everything”. The classic example of this statement is
best exemplified by the outcome of the 2000 elections in the USA, when
“those who counted the votes” “selected” the president.
In our own case, the electoral process in Africa is equally corrupt and
monstrously riven with irregularities. The 2001 elections that were rigged
by the IEC, by allowing non-citizens as well as those not on the voter
register to vote, is one example. To ignore this glaring fact is in our
view, irresponsible and tantamount to “committing political suicide.”
Since we have been cajoled into this “blind-folded” conviction to voting, it
will be very difficult to change this mind set without struggle through
political education. We need mentally developed voters to grapple with the
politics of “electioneering”.
But what is a vote? Can a vote in and of itself determine power? This
exercise of voting has historically been under the most organized and
equipped system of flattery with empty promises of “freedom” and reforms for
a better life, when all evidence shows a life of misery. A vote is a mere
expression of ones opinion or choice on a wide range of societal issues but
our interest will focus on the “ultimate vote”; voting to elect officials to
wield state power. What’s at stake here is POWER, people’s power at best.
If we remain a disorganized country, we will be casting votes forever and
ever with no fundamental changes in our lives. This is why we task
ourselves to re-structure the mechanics of the electoral system.
My vote, your vote and Jammeh’s vote are the same; a mere piece of paper or
marble both of us drop into the ballot box to be counted by those in power
or their designates, including the “courts”.
To us, the fundamental issue is not elections and voting in and of
themselves for quite frankly, we did not vote ourselves into slavery,
colonialism, poverty and “under-development, these horrors were reigned upon
us.
We must come to the realization that we can’t vote ourselves out of this
misery. It is going to take more than just voting to replace this rotten
structure that the AFPRC-APRC has taken to the gutter level.
This reality is the point of our contention in regards to the coalition. It
seems like all the honest Gambians consider our questions legitimate and
worthy of a formidable coalition, unlike our “self-appointed trustees of the
coalition”, who resort to slander and insults rather than a constructive
criticism.
Finally, the unfounded suggestion that the coalition is already in
“disarray” simply because we ask questions indicates a poor choice of words.
It’s been only three months since the historic “Diaspora Summit” and if
there is any semblance of “disarray” it is not coming from us. We will
continue to be forthright and honest about our participation in the process.
It is this incorrect approach of “anything but Jammeh and the APRC” that
spelled the doom of many political coalitions. Let us do the work right on a
solid ground that accommodates the future structures of the proud-future
Gambia we envision.
In conclusion, we believe it will serve us better to take part in the
process directly by joining a political party as oppose to being on the side
lines giving orders. Organization is a source of strength and
self-discipline, and in our view, that is what most people are scared of,
the process to become disciplined and principled.
NO PARTICIPATION NO RIGHT TO SPEAK!
NDAM
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