October 18, 2001, will go down in the annals of Gambian history as an end to
creeping Fascism, wherein the 2nd Republic came into power through an
orchestrated putsch of the 1st Republic, in the name of CHANGE,
ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY AND PROBITY.  Gambia and Gambians, are we going
to be Winners or looser in this millennium? This Movement, even though with
all its shortcomings and differences, strongly believe that, Gambia needs a
collective and concerted effort of political parties, politicians, business
persons, productive civil and private sector and nothing less than 100%
support and effort from Gambians in the Diaspora. The answer to, the winner
or looser question, lies in the outcome of this Presidential election being a
stalemate, RUNOFF ELECTIONS. As realists, unless proven wrong, a win by
either Jammeh or Darboe, will witness restlessness and stagnant or backward
development patterns. In a runoff scenario, the leading opposition leader
will be forced to come up with a well structured coalition or "NEW DEAL."
Such happenstance, will therefore guarantee, PDOIS, NRP and NCP, a say in the
"REINVENTING GAMBIA" process. The equilibrium force in Parliamentary
representation, will also change as the dynamics of domination: 70-20-5-5
will reflect the true nature of the new fairly balanced political structure.
On the dawn of a new Gambia, we don't want somebody or anybody winning the
popularity contest, but leading us out of the quagmire and decadence that our
nation is tangled in. We would rather loose with a good candidate, than win
with a bad one.
APRC, in trying to deny the violent, corrupt and bankrupt nature of its
regime by making pious statements against PPP and now UDP, will not solve the
problem. The denial of criminality by this rouge state and its henchmen, is
indicative of a regime that lost self control, self direction and hence,
paranoiac. Gambia and Gambians, for the past seven years, had been further
segmented and marginalized, through decrees, indemnities and extra
legal/illegal inter-police network of thugs and mouthpiece[s], thereby
monopolizing and legalizing intimidation and violence for its own use and
cause, while telling its citizens and opposition parties to abstain from
using the instruments of counter-violence, but should follow the system
overseen by Cheyassin, Joseph Joof, Babba Jobe, July 22nd Movement, et al.
According to Rousseau and other great writers, the cognizant fact that a
people of a nation do not exist merely to be ruled, controlled by governments
or rules of laws imposed upon them. The government ultimately, is a creation
of the people and enters into a contractual agreement/relationship and at the
foundation of the contractual agreement, is reciprocity, that of GIVE AND
TAKE that would permit the government certain powers and liberty in return
for certain services it will provide for the people. It is not there to rule
or dominate the people but to serve the people. And as long as the government
is able to meet and serve the demand of its mandate, then it will rule. But,
if it violates the reciprocity, then people will begin to question whether
they are obligated to obey its rulings and to pledge allegiance to that
government. This is the scenario we are faced with in Gambia and the only
recourse is to boot out Ali Baba and the forty thieves, mind you, not to be
replaced by an itinerant or similar lot.
There are things those of us, disenfranchised Gambians in the Diaspora,
cannot accomplished, but what we could, such as the debates, petitions, etc.,
on this medium, Gambia-L, can be effectuated through networking of interest
groups to be reckoned with by any government back home. We must continue to
agitate and request 100% efforts from our leaders and representatives,
nothing less of mediocrity, or else, our children will become endangered
species. Even, if we adults are losers, they, our children, deserve better
leaders and winners.
Urge your folks to vote their conscience and pocketbooks.
PEACE
Saul

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