PPP Makes Political Comeback, Ex-President Endorsed As Party Leader





The Independent (Banjul)

August 3, 2001
Posted to the web August 3, 2001

Alhagie Mbye
Banjul, the Gambia

Members of the National Executive and Central Committee of the Peoples'
Progressive Party (PPP), the civilian government that was overthrown in 1994
has announced it would resume political activities to reclaim power. This
came after the party's extraordinary emergency meeting Thursday following
the annulment of Decree 89, which had banned it and other parties of the
first republic.

In a press conference held at the Pipeline residence of former PPP
Agriculture minister regime Omar Jallow (OJ) the PPP executive also
disclosed that the extraordinary meeting resolved that former president, Sir
Dawda Jawara, shall be the secretary general and leader of the party and
that arrangements shall be made for his return from exile in the UK soon.

Reading a statement on behalf of the party Alkali James Gaye, pointed out
that consequently the meeting appointed and interim committee under the
chairmanship of OJ and charged with the responsibility of taking all
necessary steps to register the party and to restore it to the centre stage
of Gambian politics. Mr. Gaye also disclosed that the committee is also
being mandated to pursue vigorously consultations with other opposition
parties with a view to arriving at a consolidated joint opposition front.

He noted that the meeting also expressed appreciation to the international
community notably the UN, the Commonwealth, EU, human rights and labour
organisations for their relentless concern about events in The Gambia.

In a similar vein, Mr. Gaye stressed that the PPP expressed gratitude to the
UDP, NRP, PDOIS, as well as members of civil society at home and abroad for
their condemnation of Decree 89, which efforts it said in no small measure
compelled the government to repeal it.

The meeting sought to win back those who were tempted to join the "junta" or
the APRC. Answering questions form journalist OJ, who chaired the press
briefing denounced the government for overthrowing an elected government. He
added that since then, there were serious transformation of our
socio-economic and political environment including the illegal and unlawful
banning of the three major political parties.

He said it was grossly unfair to condemn former President Jawara who led the
country to independence and who immensely contributed to the general
development and stability of the country.

OJ stressed that since Jawara's entire properties have been seized by the
current government he should be allowed back home to live a simple life as a
citizen of the Gambia. He said that after the irregular, inhumane and
humiliating manner to which former PPP officials were subjected during the
commission of inquiry, the regime should have been honest enough to make its
report and findings known to the public so that Gambians and other
interested persons would know. He said it was not enough to rely on a "mere"
white paper directed by only five men.

OJ intimated that the current regime's assertion that in spite of Decree
89's repeal Sir Dawda will still have to face a commission of inquiry is
ridicules. He argued that President Jammeh's "expensive" house in Kanilai
including his farm at Dobong and his extra flamboyant lifestyle in only six
years exposed the true intentions of President Jammeh. He added that the
APRC is the black sheep of all other parties in the country. He believes
that an illegal administration cannot be legal and described the APRC as a
"militocratic" system of government.

OJ said that former President Jawara's popularity is an open secret,
prompting the new administration to ban him from politics He advised that
adequate democratic measures be applied by the various opposition parties to
vote out the APRC to restore sanity in the country.

OJ condemned the harassment, intimidation and arrest of innocent citizens
and noted that it was the duty of every patriotic Gambian to join hands and
arrest such a "terrible" situation, which he said is alien to our social and
political life.

OJ also added his voice to the opposition's demand for on-the-spot counting
of votes, indicating that they will not settle for anything less than a
free, fair and transparent election.

He noted that they have no confidence on the IEC Chairman Gabriel Robert
whom he accused of being directly under the command of the regime.

The press conference was attended by former PPP ministers executive members
and other top officials.





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