Mr Sidibe,
There seems to be a misunderstanding in the diaspora about the thrust of
Waa's arguement as was reported in a story published by the Independent
newspaper a month or two ago.
I am very positive that Mr Juwara did not intend to convey any message of
opposition to the  coalition, and in fact I would not hesitate to say that
as far as I know, he is very supportive of all efforts geared towards
creating a viable alternative to the Jammeh regime. In the story you made
mention of, which I have also alluded to herein, Mr Juwara expressed strong
opinion about two issues. These were: (1)- A proper reconstitution of the
Independent Electoral Commission(IEC) with a view to ensuring a free and
fair electoral process; and (2), the seeming hope that all the alternative
parties need is funding to flush out the APRC regime at the Polls.
Pertaining to the first issue,  most of us will agree that since the
controversial removal of bishop Telewa-Johnson from the chair of the IEC,
the latter has suffered a dented credibity. There have always been claims of
electoral fraud in the Gambia in the aftermath of elections, but that of
2001 is unprecedented in terms of both scope and nature. It has been
alledged that foreign elements were used to swing the vote infavour of
incumbent Yaya Jammeh. In a nutshell, some observers have concluded that the
Presidential election of 2001 was rigged before Gambians went to the Polls.
The ability of the IEC to justly institute, organise and monitor the
electoral process, is crucial to averting such negative conclusions, and
ensuring credible results at the Polls. I need only mention here that Mr
Juwara infact suggested a solution to the IEC problem in the story from
which it seems some of us have made erroneous deductions.
In connection with the second issue, a lot of commendable effort is
presently being geared towards the establishment of a Save the Gambia Fund.
We are all aware that the fund is already there, and now its just a matter
of collecting the contributions. This is a fantastic move! However, it takes
more than funds to win elections. There are organisational and personnel
issues to deal with even before we move into the realms of logistics and
strategy amongst others. I wish to ensure you MR sidibe, and indeed all
concerned persons, that this was basically what Mr Juwara intended to
convey. His criticism, I am positive, was done with the best of intentions,
and should be used as a wake up call for all of us involved in efforts to
bring about a change of the political leadership in the Gambia.
In conclusion, it is my personal opinion that many of us are focusing too
much on the removal of Yaya Jammeh from office and not giving attention to
what to do with the corrupt and brutal system he has managed to put in place
over the years. I have no doubt that this system, by all indications, poses
a big threat to the long term development of democracy in the Gambia.
Omar Joof.


>From: Momodou S Sidibeh <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Why the silence UDP and NRP
>Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 00:40:54 +0200
>
>Conteh Julla,
>
>A very apt and timely question, especially after receiving the wonderful
>news from Sister Soffie Ceesay on Waa's release.
>A week or so ago, I mentioned in passing that Waa Juwara is key to a
>coalition of the opposition. Now more than ever, the opinion he gave in an
>interview with the Independent clearly needs clarification. Even if he
>opposed the idea of a coalition on matters of principle, he needs perhaps
>to be persuaded that a coalition may be necessary as a matter of strategy
>to wrest power from the incontinent hands of the APRC. The dificulties
>toward the coalition effort stretch as far back as the last elections, at
>least. It is time that we placed these difficulties on the table.
>
>Momodou S Sidibeh
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "burang conteh" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 11:59 PM
>Subject: Why the silence UDP and NRP
>
>
> > Folks, I came a crossed with lots of condemnation from our other
>oppositions
> > leaders in the Gambia, mostly all, except Lawyer Ousainu Daroe and Amat
>bah
> > for the illigal detention of Lamin waa Juwara. Why are they silence,
> > especially Juwara's former party UDP. Is it because he felt out with
>them
> > and formed his own party? I do remember Juwara condemning Lawyer
>Darboe's
> > detention some months ago.
> >
> > Why the silence our great political leaders? Have you all been scared
> > already to get in to jail for demonstrating your constitutional right ?
>If
> > you want to lead the people, you most prepared to face the hard line. Do
>not
> > expect us to do it for you all the way to the statehouse.
> >
> > Even though, Juwara and most of you  are not sharing the same political
> > principles at the moment. What is important for you as leaders is, unify
>all
> > your parties and condemn such act in a strongly terms without any
> > reservation of being scare to be send to jail.
> >
> > Get your ranks together to salvage our country from the APRC regime, our
> > party political differences shouldn't make us silence on things that
>really
> > matters, especial when it deals with the breach of human right.
> >
> > Arresting opposition leaders will be a continuation for the APRC regime,
> > today is Waa Juwara , tomorrow might be NRP Amat Bah, day after might be
>UDP
> > Lawyer Ousainu Darboe, Halifa Sallah, Sidia Jatta or Omar Jallow. So our
> > leaders, forget about your differences and forge your hands together for
>a
> > more hard task awaiting you in the coming months and years.
> >
> > Forward ever backward never
> >
> > Conteh Julla
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
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