Hi Hamjatta!
   I was truly thrilled when I started reading your piece which began by advocating for a united opposition only to be disappointed by your attack on and apparent disqualification of PDOIS as an insignificant party which should be sidelined. This disappointment has a bit to do with the fact that I sympathise with the party but more to do with the danger in alienating and in the event propagating for a divided opposition plus the fact you did a disservice to your contribution . You did a disservice to your presentation because you raised some salient points which could help the alliance but laced it attacks which have the tendency to draw attention away from the points you are trying to put across. Your position also became blurred when you propagated for a united opposition on the one hand and advocated that PDOIS should be left out on the other. When you wrote "Firstly, the Alliance ought to give up on all hopes of coopting the PDOIS into the Alliance. Therewith, they stand to gain more than they lose:" and towards the end wrote "Of course, not everyone will agree with everything I have identified here. But I'm of the view that it is a good way of starting. The task that lies ahead of us is formidable indeed. That by itself is enough of a reason for those of us who happen to believe in different things to coalesce and fight the dictatorship together as one people united against a common enemy - as it happens, Jammeh and the APRC.", your position becomes unclear. How can you advocate for PDOIS to be left out of the coalition and wish those of us who believe in different things to fight "together as one people united?" 
I think that it is first of all a grave mistake on the part of PDOIS as members of the L not to present and defend their position on the events that transpired before and after the alliance negotiations. It is a grave mistake because many harsh criticisms which do not show signs of abating have been directed towards them and many on the L have only read recycled newspaper reports posted here by various members. It is therefore difficult to make an informed judgment with regard to what happened. In the absence of such, many tend to take the critics' words to heart.
I also believe that it is a mistake by supporters of the alliance to single out parties for condemnation because these parties have given reasons for not joining at present. This does not mean that they should be considered enemies and attacked. I believe we have to respect the parties' positions and maybe find ways of trying to reach a compromise that would make it practical for a complete alliance to be attained. Some of us support parties that have as of now not joined the alliance but that does mean that we have drawn battle lines against the alliance. Our leaders back home have not taken such harsh stands against each other. Why do we have to do so? Even if a complete alliance is not attained during the first round, I believe it would be in the various parties' interests to compliment each other rather than wasting valuable time and energy fighting each other.
When you wrote: "electorally, PDOIS is insignificant; save in the urban and rural settings of SerreKunda and Wuli, PDOIS can't poll more than a 1000 votes in any given constituency.", I wonder what you based your statement on. Do you have anything to support what you wrote? Do you also consider the possibility that the elections might be so tight that the result would be determined by Wuli or Serrekunda or a 1,000 votes in a constituency that PDOIS polls? I really believe that it is a mistake to rule out PDOIS based on assumptions of their electoral strengths. I also believe that it is a mistake to deem PDOIS insignificant just because of the numbers they are assumed to be able to poll. There are other aspects of an election like organisation, marketing etc. in which PDOIS can make a contribution. This election campaign is going to be very tough and all hands are needed. PDOIS as a party is not the only equation with regard to the alliance. PDOIS might have sympathisers with resources and skills that might help the alliance. Drawing the battle lines truly works to the alliance's disadvantage.
I think it is practical and to the benefit of the alliance that your proposal that the NCP and NRP be persuaded to join and even concessions made if necessary is followed. The alliance should however not stop there. They should endeavour to do the same with PDOIS. I also agree with your proposals that the various parties negotiate as equal partners, that issues raised by other parties be given thorough consideration and some other points you raised. I however believe that nothing should be left ambiguous. All the aspects of the alliance should be discussed and agreed upon now so as to avoid potential trouble. Thanks. Have a good evening.
         Buharry.

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