Jabou,
You and I have discussed this issue privately and we have come to an understanding of the reasoning. For the benefit of closure, and other folk, I submit that indeed civil servants are free to support whichever party they wish so long as that manifestation is done in their homes and in the streets. Ousainou knows the law of the land and its constitution. He did not say he would not work with them in their homes or in the streets - to the contrary, that is why he is campaigning in the streets and bantabas. Work that is funded by all is done in public facilities. He mentioned departments and public milieus where he witnessed such and served notice.
At the risk of appearing to be a UDP/ppp affiliate, the law of agency has been breached. If all in those buildings are APRC members, then I suggest the APRC purchase, rename, and redefine the purposes of the facilities. That is perfectly legal. As it stands, those buildings are funded by public resources, empowered by public trust and agency. Cease and desist or resign from the position of trust. This is jurisprudence and constitutionally ordained. End of story.
>From: Jabou Joh <
[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list <
[log in to unmask]>
>To:
[log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: civil servants in "asobi"- Jabou Joh.
>Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2001 12:15:55 EDT
>
>Haruna,
>
>Thanks, and this will then serve as an education for me if I was wrong.
>However, it leaves me a bit confused. Does this then mean that civil servants
>then cannot demonstrate their eupport for their candidate at all? I do not
>want tob mistaken for someone supporting Jammeh's cause, but merely
>defending the rights of the people to support whoever they choose freely.
>Perhaps then it is the wearing of "asobis" that is the problem, and is this a
>problem when it is done on the job or does it apply equally to wearing this
>at a rally for example?
>
>Sincerely,
>Jabou
>
>In a message dated 10/14/2001 10:52:05 AM Central Daylight Time,
>
[log in to unmask] writes:
>
> > Jabou,
> > I was equally concerned at the statement attributed to the UDP/ppp
> > presidential candidate regarding the summary firing of civil servants who
> > don party colors. But upon second and more careful reading, this is what I
> > understood from it:
> > The position of civil servant, like that of president, is a position of
> > agency. Their salary and authority comes from the collective voices and
> > resources of the people. Their pay, authority, and fringe benefits do not
> > come from any single party's treasures. At this moment in time, we do not
> > have a president. We will decide that come thursday or friday. And absent
> > shenanigans, we will have known the peoples' choice. So constitutionally,
> > the president excuses him/herself from being an agent of the country.
> > He/she must not make any trips overseas that bear on bilateral relations,
> > the execution of any agreements in which he/she binds the honor and
> > integrity of the Gambian people. He/she must not receive foreign
> > representatives or dignitaries. He/she must actually vacate the State house
> > to a place devoid of authority of popular agency (preferably on the
> > campaign trail if he/she is vying for re-election).
> > As for the civil servants, the work of the nation's emergency services, law
> > enforcement, commerce and industry, health, water, and sewerage must
> > continue. From that recognition, civil servants continue to receive the
> > authority of agency and its attendant compensation from the people with the
> > caveat that they must not unduly affect or attempt to undermine the
> > people's regime of taking stock and electing their choice of president.
> > We at PDOIS share the same belief and therefore the summary termination of
> > civil servants who breach this simple but honest code of conduct is in line
> > with the cleansing of corrupt governance and service delivery.
> > If indeed this was from the UDP/ppp presidential candidate, I am pleased
> > that he is upfront with us and demonstrates that he, like PDOIS, is not
> > interested in any 11th hour masquerading. He could have said it sooner. It
> > would have been sweeter but better late than never.
> > Of course this explanation is from my point of view as understood from
> > PDOIS' principles. But like you, It would be nice if the UDP/ppp comes up
> > with their intent and rationalisation following such incendiary commentary.
> > God Bless.
> > Haruna.
> >
> >
> >
>
><>//\\<>//\\<>//\\<>//\\<>
>
>To view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface
>at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html
>
><>//\\<>//\\<>//\\<>//\\<>