Ous, i agree with you that the selection of Darboe as a presidential
candidate and the whole opposition alliance process does not conform to
basic democratic principles. These folks need to reconvene this meeting and
work on a memorandum of understanding which shall clearly define all
expectations and functionaries.
Finally, it is not my style to launch personal attacks on people on this
list but Bro. Ous, SM Dibba is not to be trusted anymore. This guy, with all
the national and international respect and reputation, remains quite
throughout president Jammeh's tenure of office. Look at what OJ did to fight
against a presidential degree banning former politicians. SM cannot even
stand for his own rights, you think he is going to suffer for anybody. The
least he could have done was to sue the state. I rather go with OJ than him.
Excuse my language, but among all the attendance in that meeting, Darboe was
the best out of ordinary.
I am sure Jammeh is HAPPY.
Cheer
Lamin PF Manneh

>From: Ousman Jallow Bojang <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: PPP/UDP alliance ONLY.
>Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2001 01:12:55 EDT
>
>Reading all the comments on the List since the announcement of the breaking
>news of the opposition not able to come together, I can't help it but
>waking
>up to the realities on the ground.
>A lot of exchanges transpired here in favor of a forged opposition alliance
>for so long now, and here the day comes empty. It is clear that some of us
>have been sitting on the fence and our reasons were ignored or blasted as
>lip
>services. And now the fact that only two of the parties joined the UDP,
>this
>is seen as a victory. What is going on in some people's mind is certainly a
>great naivety. May be in denial too. It is clear that there are so many
>things that needed to be done to move our country beyond such politics.
>I cannot imagine having people like Lamin Jabang, Landing Jallow Sonko and
>Jawara trying to come back by joining a party like the UDP. I fear what the
>repercussions of such might be. How could the people of Gambia not move
>forward, but back forty years?
>I hope the Gambian voters come to realize that we need to move forward and
>not one step forward and two steps backwards. It is great to have the ban
>lifted, but certain people like those PPP stalwarts need to be ashamed of
>themselves trying to come back in the arena. I guess this just proves to
>all
>why the UDP was accused of sleeping with the PPP.
>This is why I am not surprised that the PPP and the UDP connived to
>nominate
>Darboe. Where has democracy been? These people who were present at that
>meeting, were not representing their party grassroots; for they have not
>met
>them for almost a decade. Therefore, why could they not have a congress and
>have the people vote. Oh yes, I can hear some crying that there is no time,
>but why would a limited time be the excuse for forcing on the opposition
>members?
>What qualifies Jabang, OJ, Sonko and all those former members of parliament
>to represent the PPP voter from Basse? I guess that is democracy.
>No wonder Sheriff Dibba bowed out. Anyone who knows the formation of the
>UDP
>under the PPP umbrella to bring Jawara back will not be able to join the
>alliance hence his 30+ rule was the worst some of us witnessed. Dibba is
>not
>only a very good politician but his seat in parliament is guaranteed. I
>have
>no doubt that he has some malaise in him too, and may be will not be the
>best
>leader. I am not sure he went into that meeting to join any alliance. I
>think
>he did to show face, and he already has his plans laid.
>The APRC is going to win this presidential elections big. Mr. Dibba is a
>very
>good friend of my family, and I have been honored to meet him before, but
>the
>NCP is not capable of winning. The Gambian people have been thought by the
>PPP that it is a Mandingo party. They have a lot of work to do to convince
>the voters differently.
>The PDP lead by my own brother-in-law, and formed in my own household
>cannot
>even win a single constituency. This party was formed because there was a
>fall out between the ranks of the NCP, and I still remember their first
>meetings in Brikama in my own compound. They might end up joining the
>alliance for they will do anything to show to the people they are alive
>too.
>NRP lead by Hamat Bah who I have a lot of respect for after meeting him
>several times and talking to him is not a presidential winning party
>either.
>PDOIS's record speaks for herself. And I guess they know that more than any
>one might.
>And the PPP/UDP alliance will even lose more than they gained last
>elections.
>They have now shown their true colors to the Gambian voters and probably
>not
>the Gambia-L, but they are doomed for failure.
>I am here by predicting a big win for the APRC and an inauguration for
>Jammeh
>as the president. I am making an early call to all Gambians to respect the
>results of a fair ballot. I hope the nation will be able to go through this
>despite some calls for people in the streets, to know that we have a lot
>more
>at stake than this. Our nation need all her people and who ever the mandate
>is given to by the Gambian voters need to be respected.
>Thank God that I never voted or have a voters card. If I were not
>abstaining
>this elections, the choice is very clear.
>
>Ousman Jallow Bojang.
>
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