Dad, Did a multi-party system exist in Gambia prior to 1994???? I thought it did. Haruna. -----Original Message----- From: Modou Nyang <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Fri, Apr 16, 2010 3:32 am Subject: My Indefatiguable Uncle Suwaibou Touray on Agenda 2011 Rejoinder to Jerry Jallow's Article on Lack of Multiparty System in the Gambia and Agenda 2011 as Another Utopian Idea".! Dear editor, Dear editor, Re:"A Multiparty System has Never Existed in the Gambia and "Agenda 2011" may just be Another Utopian Idea". As a member pf the PDOIS Party, I feel compelled to react to one Jerry Jallow’s article entitled "A Multiparty System has Never Existed in the Gambia and "Agenda 2011" may just be Another Utopian Idea". Interestingly enough, Mr. Jallow may not know that he has already answered his own question without knowing it. I just want to say that because of the fact that a multi-party system has never existed in the Gambia is all the more reason why the need for Agenda 2011. When a country reaches a stage as Gambia did, only the combined strength of all those who are patriotic, sincere and desire change can put that country on the right track. I’m glad that Mr. Jallow has accepted and recognises the unfavourableness of the political landscape that exists in country. Now because of that, Agenda 2011 is simply calling all genuine political elites to this time submit themselves to the people so that the people alone shall chose the flag bearer who shall singly stand to contest for CHANGE to come about in 2011. It is simply saying, look, let all the parties go and tell the people to unite as one and be ready to shoulder their constitutional responsibility to choose the flag bearer who shall carry out a transition to DEMOCRACY without prejudice. For democracy to come to Gambia, three things must now be entrenched, ie. 1. There must be a term limit, 2. There must be a second round of voting if no one has majority in the first round and 3. The members of the IEC must have tenure of office and it must be guaranteed by law and practice. So Mr. Jallow we are in a catch 22 situation. There cannot be democracy unless we change the government in place since the government in place will not change the laws they put in place that secures them from change. You see the government in place cannot be changed by a single party because the laws in place do not create a free Multi-party environment conducive for such a contest. This is why Agenda 2011 is calling on parties to forget their programs and unite the people under one umbrella and give chance to them to select their flagbearer in a simple primary and support that candidate alone so that the country can experience a transition to a genuine Multi-party democracy. Are you in anyway suggesting that this is utopian? I dont think so. I think this is democracy at its best. What is important at this stage I think is for all those who cherish change to ask themselves whether the Agenda is a practical one or not. And if one is convinced, one should add your voice in helping your party and others to understand what one has understood and to also help inform the people. This is a more positive way of making one’s contribution than casting scepticism all over the place. Those who do that do not desire change. You have already said all that needs to be said. The Gambian people are tired of what is happening and they don’t like it. They tell you this all over the place. They tell you they feel helpless and they need to see a way out. So if we write, let us know that people are on the ground struggling under all odds to inform the ordinary voter to have the understanding so as to bring about the desired change and they are doing it for all of us. So let’s not trivialize things. What is expected of us as genuine elites is to put constructive ideas that will help us forge ahead and not say things that would draw us back. I have gone across the country and Agenda 2011 is appealing to all and sundry irrespective of political affiliation. The people don’t see any hidden agenda in this. They are told that it is their exclusive domain to select the flag bearer. So it’s very clear that if all genuine Gambians who desire change unite and do this, the majority of the grassroots voters will certainly take part in the election convinced that CHANGE has indeed come. The analysis you are reacting to have been made at the time only to show the people that one party alone cannot do it under its ticket and program. And so therefore what is desirable is to have a non-party transition program entirely owned by a sovereign people who must be enlightened to understand that only them have the power to effect genuine change for their country. So please note that Agenda 2011 is for you and me. Thank you Suwaibou Touray. PDOIS member Courtesy of Gainako.com ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤