You be the judge, and there will be more to come.

Thanks

July 16, 2005

 

The National Alliance For Democracy & Development (NADD)

Banjul, The Gambia

 

 

Dear Sir(s)/Madam(s):

 

The National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD) is seen in all Gambian communities as the last hope for finding a credible political solution to the future of our country.  Save the Gambia Democracy Project (STGDP), thus commends you for joining us here in the US.  We would also like to commend you in helping reinforce our partnership to work towards our common ultimate goal of bringing democracy, and the rule of law, to the Gambia.  For it is only then that the systems required to ensure a shining future for the country can be established.  We are therefore writing to urge you forward, on this difficult task that we have all embarked upon.  After watching the process somewhat from the sidelines, and acting mainly as a financial body, STGDP has decided that we can no longer afford to remain, solely, in this status.  For the stakes are too high and the risks too great.  We, as Gambian citizens, as partners of NADD, and as a political interest group, realize that history will judge us if we fail to utilize every possible opportunity to ascertain that this alliance becomes successful in removing the incumbent despotic regime; and  to help ensure a successful interim period that will allow an over-haul of the current cancerous system that is eating away at the very  heart of our country’s fabric of existence.   And it is in this spirit that this letter is being drafted.  

 

The launching of NADD in the Diaspora, albeit financially challenging, was seen as absolutely necessary and very important indeed.  The effort has gone a long way in bringing NADD’s goals, objectives, and aspirations, to a key constituency- the Gambian Diaspora, and the international community at large. We have already started seeing a new and growing excitement in all the cities you have visited.  This has resulted in a reassurance of NADD’s position as the beacon of hope for a better Gambian future among all Gambians and friends of the Gambia.   STGDP will continue to work the extra mile, and give it all we got to bring about real change for the democratization of our country.  But for these efforts to be successful, NADD must build on this momentum and begin, with utmost urgency to launch a formidable campaign.  We believe that an effective campaign cannot be mounted until a Flag Bearer has been named.

 

We know that the recent ruling from the Supreme Court of the Gambia has brought another bump on the road, and we would like to appeal to you to approach it with caution; but to never allow it to affect the fundamental direction of NADD. Obviously, the big question is whether the ruling is a setback to NADD? STGDP clearly believes that the ruling can only be a setback based on what NADD does next. The APRC is clearly shaken by your alliance, and views it as a serious threat to the existence of its corrupt government. They are going to explore all possibilities, legal and illegal to stop NADD on its track. 

 

 

 

 

 

For the past months, NADD has concentrated on putting its house in order, an MOU document was signed, and the party was eventually registered and launched. 

But, NADD can no longer be seen as still working on their internal relationships. Nor can it afford to remain, mainly, defensive against the juntas endless attacks.  There absolutely cannot be any hint, directly or indirectly, that NADD is still trying to put together a sort of marriage of convenience. Now is the time to focus squarely on Jammeh and his murderous regime.  Only then, can this image of NADD as a constant victim of Jammeh’s many attacks, be dispelled and replaced by an image of a strong, cemented, unified, and formidable NADD capable of taking on the APRC at every turn.  The bottom line reality is, as NADD continues to postpone the naming of the Flag Bearer, it only reinforces people’s fears that this is a clear indication of a pending problem. The APRC machinery, and their distracters, want NADD to fail, and average Gambians are afraid that the pending naming of a leader is a sign of a possible implosion of the coalition itself. This makes it harder to see NADD as a credible force to defeat Jammeh come 2006. We cannot have this hanging over our heads a year before the general elections, especially when your are trying to dislodge a dictator that will do whatever it takes to hang on to power. The big question is, if a Flag bearer is named, will each and every NADD leader, with full enthusiasm, still work the extra mile for the success of NADD and not hang back or withdraw entirely from the coalition? During your visit to the US, we have listened to your speeches, and have had the opportunity for individual interaction. We have concluded that the naming of the Flag Bearer has become a major potential problem to our success in coming together, and defeating Jammeh in 2006. In fact, this pending decision is responsible for all the vulnerabilities that this effort is confronted with. It is time to confront it head on.

 

Save the Gambia Democracy project shares your concern about the sensitivity of challenging this issue. The honest truth is, we feel that some of you fear that naming a leader can implode the coalition from its roots, and that without a doubt, making the wrong choice can also be costly. In the MOU, there are two methods to be utilized during the selection phase: through consensus and, if it fails, through a primary of delegates. STGDP knows that for NADD, or any other force for that matter, to defeat Jammeh in 2006 is going to be a huge task. It will be incomprehensible to even entertain the second option of primary delegates, this is such an elaborate and complex untested method in the history of the country.  And with such little time remaining before the elections, and under the extremely difficult circumstances set up by the regime, this option is as good as not going through the coalition at all. The only option available to NADD is the consensus method, and now is the time for all of you to answer to the call. We commend you for your contribution up to this point, but the big sacrifice for rescuing our country from a murderer, a tyrant and a lunatic, is to do what is right.  STGDP is also fully aware of the enormous difficulty of naming a leader, there is the issue of trust and we also want to win. Therefore, we have come up with other suggestions that can help in the selection process, and will also strategically give us the balance we need for victory. We would like you to consider amending the MOU to instill a running mate into the political process. It is indeed an American phenomenon, but we believe it can make the selection process much easier, and can also bring a huge bloc of supporters to enthusiastically support NADD.

 

Can you imagine at a launching in URD, for instance, Ousainou Darboe being presented as the flag bearer and Hamat Bah as his running mate? Or Halifa Sallah at the top ticket and Waa Juwara as his running mate?  How about OJ Jallow at the top of the ticket and Ousainou as his running mate? You can see where we are going with this. Gentlemen, we believe now is the time to confront this issue head on. This election is not going to be won on the issues; it is not going to be won solely by playing mature politics; it is not going to be won on Jammeh’s record alone. It is going to be won by decisions we make now, and to shift the focus on running against Jammeh. This whole process is about defeating Jammeh and his corrupt and incompetent murderous regime, Period.  

 

The APRC henchmen are already working hard to present every possible obstacle to ensure a failure for NADD.  You, the leaders of NADD must recognize this.  You must also recognize the crucial juncture that our country is at.  The pages of its future, and thus our future, and that of future generations will be greatly determined by how you, the chosen bearers of this honorable, yet extremely difficult task, answer to this call of duty to your country.  Indeed, a more honorable burden you may never again have to bear.  But history will be your judge, and the judge of all of us.  This is the time to act.  This is the time to put aside personal aspirations, interests, differences, etc, and band together with a single formidable force, to allow this cancerous government to be dispelled.  Only then , can a victory be assured in 2006.  And only then can the systems of good governance and much required economic, social, and legal recovery systems be put in place to save our country from the horrific plight that it is currently embarked upon.  A plight we have all too often witnessed among various African countries.

 

At this juncture, NADD should have been way past internal leadership jostling for position, and should have been concentrating on strategizing and implementing efficient methods to counteract the various tactics that the APRC is devising to once again (legally & illegally) influence the results of the election. One thing is certain, in order to ensure a victory come 2006, NADD has to realize the urgency of such strategizing and embark upon it with utmost urgency.  Again, we at STGDP, will continue to concentrate on our fund raising efforts, and we will also contribute in every other imaginable way to defeat Jammeh. Clearly, the decisions that you make, and the actions you take, from hereon, are going to directly affect our fund raising efforts, and our selling of NADD and its ideologies to the general electorate. We will also continue to work with other political interest groups in this endeavor.  But, we will like for NADD to take notice of the part that their actions play in hindering our efforts, both here and back home.  So, we ask that the leadership no further delay the issue of choosing a Flag Bearer.  We also ask, as mentioned above, that NADD consider naming not only a Flag Bearer, but a running mate who will serve as a vice to the president during the interim period. And lastly, but definitely not the least, we ask that  all the leaders rally, with total and unreserved enthusiasm, their full support, and that of all their members, for the chosen Flag Bearer and running mate. If you do that, then victory come 2006 will become a reality.  If you entertain some other possibilities, postpone the naming of a leader, or go through the primary selection option, beating Jammeh in 2006 will be very difficult, if not impossible.  If this should happen, history will judge each and every one of you for putting personal interests and aspirations in front of that of your country and its citizenry, when it most needed you.  So dear country men and women, the ball is in your court, and we will impatiently await the final verdict.  I hope this call to duty, to rescue your country from a despotic junta, is one that you Mr. Sallah, and you Mr. Darboe, and you Mr. Bah, and you Mr. Juwara, and you Mr. Jallow, will answer without reservations.  This is the time to show your true character, this is the time to stand for something.  WHAT WILL YOU STAND FOR?

 

 

 

 

 

Sincerely

 

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTE

SAVE THE GAMBIA DEMOCRACY PROJECT

 

 

 

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