Well Rene, we all hope for a discourse on how to move our country forward, but as exemplified by Malanding's statements, instead of trying to concentrate our efforts and energies on how to forge a way to unite all opposition parties to dislodge a tyrant, we are once more into a discussion as how to justify why PDOIS still exists given the small percentage of votes they have received in elections. It would appear then that there is considerable effort and energies  being directed at this and one has to wonder why some people feel that PDOIS has to justify their existence. What does thid do for the Gambia and why is it so important for this discussion to take place and what is it's purpose?
Jabou Joh

-----Original Message-----
From: Malanding Jaiteh <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wed, Jul 29, 2009 1:03 pm
Subject: Opportunity for self-assessment?

Rene, 
I would agree that PDOIS, has for many years been very clear about their agenda, aims and objectives, and the principles that that guide the conduct of its members and activities. 
 
That said, PDOIS has been in existence since 1986. After 23 years, under two very different incumbents (Jawara and Jammeh), fielding candidates in 5 Parliamentary and/or Presidential elections, PDOIS remains largely an out of the main stream political party. Even among the educated elite, who had been reading the Foroyaa, the party newspaper, the party is painted with with Communist/socialist brush from the Jawara era. 
 
I know very few who doubt the sincerity of Messrs Jatta, Sallah and Sarr or their commitment to spend all their being for a democratic Gambia. However, it is not hard to find those who would not vote for them. Those who would say Halifa / or Seedia are good descent people but I do not trust PDOIS. My problem is why this disparity? More importantly why is the party unable to grow its share of votes (under 5% the last time I checked) over the past 23 yrs? What is the PDOIS end game? Is it a PDOIS majority in government or an political educated Gambian electorate even if such a group chose some other party? 
 
Malanding 
 
[log in to unmask] wrote: 
> Aunty Jabou, 
> Just imagine; PDOIS supposedly has no strong following, > but has managed to be in the public consciousness and the political > debate for more than two decades. And there are no signs that this > enthusiasm and commitment will abate soon. One of the reasons why this > has been the case, is the fact that first and foremost, PDOIS has a > political argument to make; and secondly, it has been able to > articulate that argument clearly and conceptually. > > If we move away from personalities, and the individual > who make most of the arguments on behalf of PDOIS, Halifa Sallah, and > look at PDOIS from the standpoint of its political, social, cultural > and economic positions, we will then begin to appreciate the huge > contributions in our national political debate that the party has been > able to make, in the quest for a political alternative or solution > from the first republic to the second republic. 
> > The first thing that everyone should note is that PDOIS > has an agenda. It has its aims and objectives. It has principles that > guide the conduct and affairs of its members and activities. It has an > agenda based on programs that it would implement whenever it succeeds > to take over the reigns of government. It has a programs based agenda. 
> > PDOIS's agenda, aims and objectives, and the principles > that guide the conduct of its members and activities, have been > stipulated variously in their myriad of publications over the years. > It is my hope that those who want to state a different position will > take issue with their agenda; or their aims and objectives and in so > doing, give impetus to the evolution of a political thought process > that can help to shape the discourse on politics. This will also > make the awakening of our political consciousness more appreciable. > > I cannot wait to learn more from the different > postulations; different ideas and conceptions. This is the kind of > political discourse I am yearning for. 
> > Rene > 
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