Conteh,

Indeed, above all else, we must remember the reason that an allinace should 
be forged, but we must also realize that it cannot be forged without 
transparency and a level playing field for all involved.
Now that Dibba has explained his side of the story, I think Brother Halifa 
Sallah may be right on this count, and i may need to apologize to Mr Dibba 
for accusing him of holding back this alliance. However, before I jump the 
gun, I will wait for the PPP, UDP and others to speak up.
I had asumed that all the posible actors in this coalition have been in 
communication on all fronts, with meetings including all players, and that 
some had still remained reluctant to participate despite that. 
It is now imperative for all the parties to speak up and relay what has 
transpired up to now in trying to forge this alliance. For example, the 
statement by Mr Dibba that PDOIS was not formally invited to the meeting is 
an interesting one, and needs clarification, and I hope PDOIS will also tell 
us their side of the story.

I agree that the last thing we need is for a possible solution to become a 
divisive issue. That would be very unfortunate because the people will be the 
loosers, and we will end up with another five or more years of Jammeh.

Whatever the reason was for these rifts, I think that if everyone is sincere 
in the pursuit of forging a real coalition and in moving our country forward, 
 and not just in the formation of a speacial alliance between certain 
groups,this whole process needs to be reconvened and everyone formally 
invited, and people should be ready to make concessions in order to move 
forward. 
The rest of the parties involved owe the people their side of the story 
before we can say much more.

Jabou Joh


In a message dated 8/16/2001 4:36:35 PM Central Daylight Time, 
[log in to unmask] writes:
> 
> Comrades:
> 
> I personally want to apologize to anyone that I offended relative
> to the recent controversy within the opposition.  I have fought for
> a free Gambia, and would hate to associate of being part of a group
> that conspired to deny Gambians their right to political democracy.
> SM has spoken and I believe that his narration of facts should be
> given legitimacy.  It is now up to the kang of four in PPP to refute
> SM's narration of facts.  If we want to be fair, we should also ask
> the PPP gang of four to come out clean.  We in the NCP have not
> forgotten old wounds and we will not stoop that low to throw punches.
> 
> 
> I am appealing to the rest of the gang, including cousin Ousman Bojang,
> sisters Jabbou Joh amd Mariama Diop, and brothers Dampha, Kanteh and
> the rest of the people affected.  Now is not the time for party politics.
> We should rise above that and reach out for conciliatory strategy in
> flushing out the dictator of kaninlai.  It is quite disturbing that the
> PPP strategy according to SM contributed to this controversy.  I am really
> appreciative of him explaining in detail about Assan Musa's role.  I 
> candidly thank Assan for what he had done.
> 
> Our journey in this far-reaching endeavor is a struggle exemplified by
> patience and goodwill.  We must realize that there are many who are
> inspired by our relentless and uncompromising desire for a Gambia of
> inclusion.  I could not start work until I let go this inconsistency
> of behavior that is unnatural of me. I am determined, however, to protect
> the integrity of NCP.
> 
> I hope we can come to the realization that we will be doing more
> damage to ourselves if we continue this pattern of behavior.  I
> was touched by Brother Sambou's message and thought about an elder
> Karonika man in my native village of Faraba Banta, Kombo East
> Constituency.  The late Fa Ansumana Sambou if he were around today
> would chastise me for a sudden change of heart in a struggle so
> vital to me.  My late grandfather, Imam Jassey who to this day lays
> at the Berending Mosque in Kombo East Constituency did not raise me
> to be a divider.  I must follow a family tradition of love and
> compassion.  The truth will always prevail.  Though I am NCP, the
> cries of those innocent school kids murdered by jammeh must serve
> as a reminder.  For those of you who want fairness, equity and
> truth, it is now your obligation to ask the gang of four in PPP to
> speak up.
> 
> As we say in Kombo Santosou, "we are one Gambia and one tribe."  May
> the efforts of our elders materilize.  May the devil who caused this
> division within us vanish?  May our efforts in flushing out the
> dictator become a reality?  May I conclude by paying respect to a dear
> late headmaster, Mr. John Jawo?  The Gambia is our country.  We alone
> can save our country.  Our personal ambitions and the opening of old
> wounds will have negative impact on our struggle.
> 
> As I leave you with this message, I hope you can close your eyes for
> a moment and take a breath of fresh air.  Please let us go back to
> work.  We have more at stake than the evil we are creating within
> us.  We must also be willing to speak the truth.  Enemies who pretend
> to be our friends are only interested in their individual survival.
> 
> Naphiyo,
> 
> Comrade ML Jassey-Conteh, MBA
> 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L
Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html
You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask]
if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------