Dr. Saine:
This approach of yours I believe is the only way our
people will come out winning at the end of the day.
I'm quite sure most people (without hidden agendas) on
this list will subscribe to this approach. I commend
you on bringing this to the table.
Just keep doing what you do.
Peace.
William Njie
--- Abdoulaye Saine <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> G-L Community:
>
> I have been greatly enriched by my association with
> the Bantaba and over
> the year that I have been a member, I have been
> impressed by the
> diversity of views expressed. Yet, I am also
> saddened by the pain that
> seem to be at the core of our constant criticisms
> against Jammeh and
> Jawara. Clearly, the coup in 1994 and its aftermath
> have had and
> continue to have a traumatizing effect on all
> Gambians. The criticisms
> leveled against Jammeh and his Government and for
> that matter Jawara's
> by well meaning people, reflect the hurt and trauma
> I spoke of earlier.
> Both Jawara and Jammeh have made mistakes. It has
> been pointed out by
> many that Sir Dawda made many mistakes during his
> thirty year rule. And
> needless to say Jammeh has also had his share of
> mistakes. It is time to
> move the debate beyond blame and recrimination and
> propose concrete
> remedies to both the political impasse/stalemate on
> Gambia-L and in the
> country of our birth, Gambia. The reality is Jammeh
> is President and
> Jawara is not. Both Jammeh and Jawara are not
> perfect.
>
> And it appears that the overwhelming sentiment on
> the L and Gambia,
> though expressed differently, lead ultimately toward
> improving the lives
> of Gambians. This ought to be the theme that
> unifies us as a people.
> This unity of purpose does not mean necessarily that
> we would all agree
> on an issue, but it should guide us as we pursue a
> common vision for
> Gambia with other Gambians.
>
> What can we do as a community of Gambians and people
> interested in
> Gambia to influence and shape in a decisive and
> positive way political
> events unfolding in Gambia? How can we begin to
> engage President Jammeh
> and his Government and influence him in the
> direction we desire and
> toward that vision? What compromises is Jammeh
> willing to make? What
> concessions must we make?
>
> It seems that the L and the political situation at
> home are populated by
> some individuals who speak at and alienate each
> other. We need to get
> to the next level, I suggest, by proposing solutions
> to Gambia's current
> political crisis. The criticism leveled against
> Jawara and Jammeh during
> their recent visits to the U.S., have had an effect,
> admitted by them or
> not.
>
> Let us turn to a new page!
>
> From the discussion over the last year certain key
> concerns we appear to
> share are summarized below. These include:
>
> a)A Gambia where individuals can pursue a livelihood
> in dignity while
> enjoying basic freedoms and to vote in a government
> of their choice
> unrestrained by the state or its authorities;
>
> b)A political atmosphere were fear of retribution is
> not a constraint to
> the expression of one's beliefs, either in print or
> verbally; and
>
> c)Political participation as a right that all
> Gambians are entitled.
>
> If my reading of the Bantaba and the crisis at home
> are accurate, we
> must begin to work with President Jammeh, his
> Government and the Gambian
> People to resolve these issues. And as the
> Presidential and National
> Assembly elections are fast approaching, it is
> imperative that the
> political system be opened up.
>
> I propose that at minimum, all political parties and
> politicians that
> were banned shortly before the 1996 elections, be
> unbanned and let the
> Gambian people decide who rules them.
>
> The latter it appears to me and many more on the
> Bantaba, is a way to
> realizing this vision for Gambia and Gambians. To
> me, this is beyond
> partisan politics. It is life of a people and of
> future generations.
> This could be our challenge to President Jammeh and
> his government.
> WHAT DO YOU THINK?
>
> Abdoulaye Saine
>
>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of
> postings, go to the Gambia-L
> Web interface at:
> http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html
>
>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
=====
William A. Njie
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L
Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
