Gambia's Political Situation Worse And Threatening - Moja-G Spokesman
The Independent (Banjul)
August 6, 2001
Posted to the web August 6, 2001
Banjul, the Gambia
Ousman Manjang, former spokesman for the Movement for Justice in Africa -
Gambian branch (MOJA-G) and current project coordinator of Gambians for Self
Employment (GAMSEM), who is among those consulting with various political
parties to ensure good governance, political stability and democracy, has
described the current political situation in the country as "worse and
threatening."
In an interview with The Independent, Manjang said when the same question
about the country's political situation was posed to him last year, he
though it was "dangerous" but now "I will say it is worse or should I say
threatening?"
He noted that the political atmosphere is threatening the "peace, stability
and even the foundations of our nation", emphasising that there are
politically-related problems ravaging communities throughout the country. He
cited examples of political uncertainties in Gambisara, Banatanto, Gunjur,
Jambur and Dampha Kunda, adding that the same problem is also present in
some religious communities and national institutions.
"Our society is becoming dangerously over-polarised", he said, fearing that
"such issues seem to be only matters of procedures and our sub-region is
fast aflame." On his recommendations for free, fair and transparent
elections, he said they could be found in the relevant provisions of the
National Constitution, the IEC recommendations and other agreements that the
parties were able to work out in their consultations.
Mr. Manjang noted further that one important thing to realise is that free
and fair elections should be seen as an advantage for everybody as it will
strengthen the legitimacy of whatever government that comes out of it and
reinforces loyalty to the regime and patriotism to the country
notwithstanding how we may have voted."
On the issue of 'spot counting', he said the ruling party said the economy
and logistics of on-the-spot-counting is too heavy a burden to carry
presently, while the opposition disagrees. Therefore, the ruling party ought
to present sufficient alternatives to that effect. He confirmed working with
Lawyer Emmanuel Joof of ASCL, and Mohammed Lamin Sillah of Amnesty
International Banjul Branch, but that representatives of some other civil
society as well as religious leaders are also involved. Continuing, he said
due to the fact that such matters were always delicate and difficult to
handle, they drew up a framework they are gradually working on and hoped to
share it with the media and other interested parties. He also acknowledged
that all the political parties have been involved in the discussions, except
PDOIS who maintained that they prefer to wait for the result of the court
decision on the sacking of IEC officials; while the APRC, who took the lead
is now reconsidering its position, claiming the framework has been used as a
ground to launch attacks on it. He pointed that it was a mistake to suggest
that, as there was only one "single incident, which was quickly addressed."
But declined to explain or elaborate on that incident as "it happened in a
close-door meeting."
He said they were interested in peace, reconciliation and democracy and that
due to the nature of our society, armed conflict (Allah forbids) will have
more devastating social and humanitarian consequences, and they hoped to
device how best such possibility would be averted.
On whether MOJA-G is alive, Manjang maintained that "MOJA may be down, but
not out," and that the "peculiarity of MOJA is unlike other parties", as it
believe the masses are the liberators and architects of their own future.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Independent (Banjul)
August 6, 2001
Posted to the web August 6, 2001
Banjul, the Gambia
Ousman Manjang, former spokesman for the Movement for Justice in Africa -
Gambian branch (MOJA-G) and current project coordinator of Gambians for Self
Employment (GAMSEM), who is among those consulting with various political
parties to ensure good governance, political stability and democracy, has
described the current political situation in the country as "worse and
threatening."
In an interview with The Independent, Manjang said when the same question
about the country's political situation was posed to him last year, he
though it was "dangerous" but now "I will say it is worse or should I say
threatening?"
He noted that the political atmosphere is threatening the "peace, stability
and even the foundations of our nation", emphasising that there are
politically-related problems ravaging communities throughout the country. He
cited examples of political uncertainties in Gambisara, Banatanto, Gunjur,
Jambur and Dampha Kunda, adding that the same problem is also present in
some religious communities and national institutions.
"Our society is becoming dangerously over-polarised", he said, fearing that
"such issues seem to be only matters of procedures and our sub-region is
fast aflame." On his recommendations for free, fair and transparent
elections, he said they could be found in the relevant provisions of the
National Constitution, the IEC recommendations and other agreements that the
parties were able to work out in their consultations.
Mr. Manjang noted further that one important thing to realise is that free
and fair elections should be seen as an advantage for everybody as it will
strengthen the legitimacy of whatever government that comes out of it and
reinforces loyalty to the regime and patriotism to the country
notwithstanding how we may have voted."
On the issue of 'spot counting', he said the ruling party said the economy
and logistics of on-the-spot-counting is too heavy a burden to carry
presently, while the opposition disagrees. Therefore, the ruling party ought
to present sufficient alternatives to that effect. He confirmed working with
Lawyer Emmanuel Joof of ASCL, and Mohammed Lamin Sillah of Amnesty
International Banjul Branch, but that representatives of some other civil
society as well as religious leaders are also involved. Continuing, he said
due to the fact that such matters were always delicate and difficult to
handle, they drew up a framework they are gradually working on and hoped to
share it with the media and other interested parties. He also acknowledged
that all the political parties have been involved in the discussions, except
PDOIS who maintained that they prefer to wait for the result of the court
decision on the sacking of IEC officials; while the APRC, who took the lead
is now reconsidering its position, claiming the framework has been used as a
ground to launch attacks on it. He pointed that it was a mistake to suggest
that, as there was only one "single incident, which was quickly addressed."
But declined to explain or elaborate on that incident as "it happened in a
close-door meeting."
He said they were interested in peace, reconciliation and democracy and that
due to the nature of our society, armed conflict (Allah forbids) will have
more devastating social and humanitarian consequences, and they hoped to
device how best such possibility would be averted.
On whether MOJA-G is alive, Manjang maintained that "MOJA may be down, but
not out," and that the "peculiarity of MOJA is unlike other parties", as it
believe the masses are the liberators and architects of their own future.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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