It has come to our attention that, two UDP militants are held in British immigrations centres. The one person we where able to trace is the former senior Agriculture department statistician Mr Koniagi Camara.
According to the media reports on the BBC Bristol, Mr Camara was arrested because of working without the requisite documents or right immigration papers. The news reports further states that, Mr Camara sentenced to five months imprisonment. Here a link to his case:
http://www.jollofnews.com/gambian-hospital-worker-jailed-in-uk-for-using-forged-papers.html
The UDP U.K has monitored the events very closely, but couldn't get access to Mr Camara earlier due to his transfer from one detention centre to another. However, UDP U.K quickly intervene to advise a Gambian newspaper from publishing the plight of Mr Camara. An independent Gambian U.S newspaper picked up the incidence of Mr Camara's jailing and published it. UDP U.K activist quickly advise the editor to take down the photo and news item because the stigma and repercussion of Mr Camara will be enormous but others did not oblige.
UDP is aware of the stringent immigration rules, hence Mr Camara's case can be thrown out as bogus without the proper investigation into the Gambia's political witch hunting. Mr Camara was a senior employee of the Gambian state, his department was brought under the President himself.
The agricultural department was disbanded and nearly all the employees were sacked and told to reapply. At this process long serving staff like Koniagi Camara were not re-employee. The process that the government use is total witch hunt and a lack of ethics in apportioning jobs. All those suspected of being opposition supporters are victimise and lay off. Mr Camara's error was not declaring this facts during his early days in the U.K we are made to belief.
His close relative such as Wassa Kamara, Kawsu Camara are all imprison for being part of two different coup plot. Wassa is in jail since 2006 and Kawsu's conviction is the latest in family misfortune of the Camara clan. Koniagi being an influence on this two jailed soldier for life, there is nothing stopping the regime summarily jailing him for advising his young siblings to be part of two different coups.
It was ill-advised of Mr Camara not to inform the British border authorities. The fear of deportation and detention compel decent educated qualified men like him to avoid the authorities. The UDP always advises it supporters to use the proper channels in solving their personal state. The Gambia is at a cross road, recently the President's loyalist are canvassing the country calling for him to be crown King. The lawlessness is unspeakable yet the British government as classify the Gambia as a safe country. This is a country where prisoners are poison who later die.
Mr Camara's membership of the biggest opposition party in the Gambia is not the only problem he will face, but his two close brother's involvement in military coup plots as well. He is a marked man and the UDP U.K hope that, he will be release and granted some protection status.
Saturday 27 November 2010
UDP: There will no Monarchy in the Gambia
The United Democratic Party categorically condemns those Chiefs and their enablers travelling the country floating an intolerable idea of overturning our country from a constitutional Republic to a monarchy of their fancy. The very thought of divesting the Gambian people of their sovereign rights and transform them overnight to subjects goes beyond the normal antics of regime sycophants who have long lost their sense of dignity and self-worth.
It is a ridiculous agenda and dangerous attempt to subvert the will of the people at a time when most Gambians want a different direction for their country. They have witnessed the gradual dissipation of the rights and freedoms they have treasured and come to take for granted. Their freedoms, their liberty, their dignity and all the opportunities associated with those basic attributes have been undermined to such a devastating degree that most people feel perpetually besieged in their own country.
What Gambians continue to demand is the establishment of a two-term limit presidency so that we will not have self perpetuation of one government or individual in office.
To those propagating the retrogressive idea of establishing a monarchy, The UDP will stand with the Gambian people in letting it be known in no uncertain terms that we will do whatever it takes to safeguard the sovereignty and the Republican status of The Gambia. The UDP is proud of Gambia's constitutional status as a republic and will not condone anything or any attempt to derogate from that.
We demand the government to issue a clear and unequivocal statement affirming its commitment to maintaining the current constitutional order and clearly disasociate itself from the dangerous machinations of these misguided Chiefs and their minions.
The Gambian people's right of choosing their leaders is sacrosanct and this right has been exercised by them since the colonial era albeit at different stages of the country's constitutional development. It has always been the prerogative of the Gambian people to shape their destiny and by the grace of God it shall remain that way forever. We ask all Gambians to commit to saving themselves and their country by not only rejecting the ridiculous notion of turning themselves into someone's subjects but ensuring that the ill-thought idea is aborted from its inception. The will of the people cannot be overturned for a power grab.
One thing is certain, come 2011 we will have elections and we hope the Gambian people will use this opportunity to flush out the agents of these immature and dangerous ideas. When we do that then we do not have to worry about such ridiculous proposals.
Long Live The Republic of Gambia!
United Democratic PartyParty SecretariatBanjul, The Gambia
24th November, 2010
It is a ridiculous agenda and dangerous attempt to subvert the will of the people at a time when most Gambians want a different direction for their country. They have witnessed the gradual dissipation of the rights and freedoms they have treasured and come to take for granted. Their freedoms, their liberty, their dignity and all the opportunities associated with those basic attributes have been undermined to such a devastating degree that most people feel perpetually besieged in their own country.
What Gambians continue to demand is the establishment of a two-term limit presidency so that we will not have self perpetuation of one government or individual in office.
To those propagating the retrogressive idea of establishing a monarchy, The UDP will stand with the Gambian people in letting it be known in no uncertain terms that we will do whatever it takes to safeguard the sovereignty and the Republican status of The Gambia. The UDP is proud of Gambia's constitutional status as a republic and will not condone anything or any attempt to derogate from that.
We demand the government to issue a clear and unequivocal statement affirming its commitment to maintaining the current constitutional order and clearly disasociate itself from the dangerous machinations of these misguided Chiefs and their minions.
The Gambian people's right of choosing their leaders is sacrosanct and this right has been exercised by them since the colonial era albeit at different stages of the country's constitutional development. It has always been the prerogative of the Gambian people to shape their destiny and by the grace of God it shall remain that way forever. We ask all Gambians to commit to saving themselves and their country by not only rejecting the ridiculous notion of turning themselves into someone's subjects but ensuring that the ill-thought idea is aborted from its inception. The will of the people cannot be overturned for a power grab.
One thing is certain, come 2011 we will have elections and we hope the Gambian people will use this opportunity to flush out the agents of these immature and dangerous ideas. When we do that then we do not have to worry about such ridiculous proposals.
Long Live The Republic of Gambia!
United Democratic PartyParty SecretariatBanjul, The Gambia
24th November, 2010
Wednesday 17 November 2010
Rambo Jatta speaks rally 2010
Transcript of UDP Brikama Rally:
Ousman Alias Rambo Jatta (UDP National Youth Leader)
Speech at the September Brikama Rally
The Youth leader commences his speech with a call for UDP supporters to observe a one minute silence for the late karamo Touray. He then went on to accord the customary greetings to the Executive members of the party (Ousainou, Alh Yahya Jallow, Ebou Manneh, and the entire militancy).
Diving into the sensitive subjects of the day, he rhetorically asked about the whereabouts of Kanyiba Kanyi. He said, “he Rambo was clandestinely jailed all over the major Gambian police stations, up to the URR Sare Ngai Police station in Wulli yet the APRC government kept telling Lawyer Ousainou that, they don’t have him in custody.” He said, “there is only one Gambian police force, and when the High court in Banjul request that, the police release him, they responded by saying he is not under their custody.” A lie by all accounts.
Rambo was briefly interrupted by the Green Boys who attended the rally to cause trouble. He told them, “the rude uncontrollable behavior will not be tolerated anymore.” He said, “if they want an eye for eye or a tooth for tooth, he is ready that.”
He then turn towards the UDP supporters and said, “if anybody is unwilling to stand up to the bullies, then go home.” He said, “the irritating atmosphere created by the government is intolerable, but the Gambia is where we are equal in.”
He said, “APRC don’t have any higher privilege in the Gambia more than the UDP, this time we will go all the way out.” Meaning, the bullies will met their match.
Coming back to his focus speech, Rambo said, this year “heavy rain has caused considerable damage to the farming community. However, Isatou Njie-Saidy said, the government has given D10million to the affected farmers and that, people should call the President and congratulate him.” Rambo rhetorically enquired, “Why should people congratulate the President? Aren’t it not the Gambian tax payers who foot the bill?” Rambo went on to enunciate that, such cheap politics should end. He said, “because the 2011 national elections is round the corner, this is why, even disasters are hijacked for propaganda purposes by the government.”
Rambo went on to say, “play time is over, Gambians are dissatisfied and bitter with the events happening.” Rambo said, “Those APRC supporters who join the UDP will have their privacy protected. The announcements made in Brikama were to show delegates that, the UDP is making headway, but in future, no announcement will be made.”
He said, “the APRC has been parading their own supporters on GRTS as UDP supporters joining them.” He said, let the APRC continue on such lies, but the UDP will kept the dignity and identity of new members a private matter and that, many more APRC militants are joining them.”
Coming to the Tourism industry, Rambo said, that his specialty. He said, “after the 1994 coup, all Western countries introduce Visa between them and the Gambia.” He said, “the reason for that is simple logic, the aftermath of coup entail fugitives and mass asylum to safe stable countries. Without Visa, their borders will be flooded.” Rambo said, the GTA (Gambia Tourism Authority) is incompetent and unable to manage the Tourism industry. Each year the there is less and less Tourist visiting the Gambia, what is the reason for the GTA?” he enquired.
He further said that, the Tourism industry’s decline is so severe, Denmark announce of their intention to close down the operations in the Gambia for 2010. He said, “the Tourist season which has started is minus Denmark and what will happen next year is sadly unpredictable. Sweden may also close down operations.” Rambo said, “Tourism is a big employer for Gambians and the decline will impact on the youths.” He said, “The upcoming election is crucial for the youths to avoid being bought with meager amounts. They shouldn’t be fooled into travelling around with the APRC because of few handouts. Those youth who sell their dignity get dumped soon after the elections.”
Rambo said, there is only one youth movement in the Gambia and he’s the head of that body. He sees all the youths as members of his movement regardless of party affiliations.
He said, “APRC has never held a Congress which means, the party is a one man show.” Rambo closed his speech with swipe at Yankuba Colly, APRC national mobiliser who said, “the UDP has three signatories to its account.” Rambo said, “Colly is actually telling his boss how transparent the UDP is.” He said, “the APRC supporters don’t even know who controls their money.”
Rambo calls on the youths to register in mass to counter the voter apathy. He warns the youths to avoid staying home during elections. “The civil servants should also realizes that, the current regime is bad for them. They are unsure as to their positions on regular daily basis. The uncertainty that clutter over their job security is a terrible depressing dilemma.” He said, they should vote UDP to get job security and peace of mind.
Rambo ends the speech with a rallying cry for the next rally to hold in Bakau. He said, under the UDP government, he will stand for mayor of KMC and, come next election he is contesting the Bakau parliamentary seat.
Ousman Alias Rambo Jatta (UDP National Youth Leader)
Speech at the September Brikama Rally
The Youth leader commences his speech with a call for UDP supporters to observe a one minute silence for the late karamo Touray. He then went on to accord the customary greetings to the Executive members of the party (Ousainou, Alh Yahya Jallow, Ebou Manneh, and the entire militancy).
Diving into the sensitive subjects of the day, he rhetorically asked about the whereabouts of Kanyiba Kanyi. He said, “he Rambo was clandestinely jailed all over the major Gambian police stations, up to the URR Sare Ngai Police station in Wulli yet the APRC government kept telling Lawyer Ousainou that, they don’t have him in custody.” He said, “there is only one Gambian police force, and when the High court in Banjul request that, the police release him, they responded by saying he is not under their custody.” A lie by all accounts.
Rambo was briefly interrupted by the Green Boys who attended the rally to cause trouble. He told them, “the rude uncontrollable behavior will not be tolerated anymore.” He said, “if they want an eye for eye or a tooth for tooth, he is ready that.”
He then turn towards the UDP supporters and said, “if anybody is unwilling to stand up to the bullies, then go home.” He said, “the irritating atmosphere created by the government is intolerable, but the Gambia is where we are equal in.”
He said, “APRC don’t have any higher privilege in the Gambia more than the UDP, this time we will go all the way out.” Meaning, the bullies will met their match.
Coming back to his focus speech, Rambo said, this year “heavy rain has caused considerable damage to the farming community. However, Isatou Njie-Saidy said, the government has given D10million to the affected farmers and that, people should call the President and congratulate him.” Rambo rhetorically enquired, “Why should people congratulate the President? Aren’t it not the Gambian tax payers who foot the bill?” Rambo went on to enunciate that, such cheap politics should end. He said, “because the 2011 national elections is round the corner, this is why, even disasters are hijacked for propaganda purposes by the government.”
Rambo went on to say, “play time is over, Gambians are dissatisfied and bitter with the events happening.” Rambo said, “Those APRC supporters who join the UDP will have their privacy protected. The announcements made in Brikama were to show delegates that, the UDP is making headway, but in future, no announcement will be made.”
He said, “the APRC has been parading their own supporters on GRTS as UDP supporters joining them.” He said, let the APRC continue on such lies, but the UDP will kept the dignity and identity of new members a private matter and that, many more APRC militants are joining them.”
Coming to the Tourism industry, Rambo said, that his specialty. He said, “after the 1994 coup, all Western countries introduce Visa between them and the Gambia.” He said, “the reason for that is simple logic, the aftermath of coup entail fugitives and mass asylum to safe stable countries. Without Visa, their borders will be flooded.” Rambo said, the GTA (Gambia Tourism Authority) is incompetent and unable to manage the Tourism industry. Each year the there is less and less Tourist visiting the Gambia, what is the reason for the GTA?” he enquired.
He further said that, the Tourism industry’s decline is so severe, Denmark announce of their intention to close down the operations in the Gambia for 2010. He said, “the Tourist season which has started is minus Denmark and what will happen next year is sadly unpredictable. Sweden may also close down operations.” Rambo said, “Tourism is a big employer for Gambians and the decline will impact on the youths.” He said, “The upcoming election is crucial for the youths to avoid being bought with meager amounts. They shouldn’t be fooled into travelling around with the APRC because of few handouts. Those youth who sell their dignity get dumped soon after the elections.”
Rambo said, there is only one youth movement in the Gambia and he’s the head of that body. He sees all the youths as members of his movement regardless of party affiliations.
He said, “APRC has never held a Congress which means, the party is a one man show.” Rambo closed his speech with swipe at Yankuba Colly, APRC national mobiliser who said, “the UDP has three signatories to its account.” Rambo said, “Colly is actually telling his boss how transparent the UDP is.” He said, “the APRC supporters don’t even know who controls their money.”
Rambo calls on the youths to register in mass to counter the voter apathy. He warns the youths to avoid staying home during elections. “The civil servants should also realizes that, the current regime is bad for them. They are unsure as to their positions on regular daily basis. The uncertainty that clutter over their job security is a terrible depressing dilemma.” He said, they should vote UDP to get job security and peace of mind.
Rambo ends the speech with a rallying cry for the next rally to hold in Bakau. He said, under the UDP government, he will stand for mayor of KMC and, come next election he is contesting the Bakau parliamentary seat.
UDP Leader's 2010 Tobaski Message
UDP 2010 Tobaski MessageBismillah Rahmani Rahim
My Fellow Gambians blessed Eid greetings to you and your loved ones. Here at home and in the far corners of World as you gather to celebrate this important and festive day, I send you warm salutations on my behalf and on behalf of the United Democratic Party. On this joyous occasion, Muslims are reminded of the test of faith the prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) underwent and by Allah's mercy emerged from strengthened in dedication to the mission the creator had for him in this world.
Today the faithful follow in this noble tradition, drawing from the lessons of divine guidance that was manifested in prophet Ibrahim. Eid for most Gambians is also a time of sharing and brings out the best in our tradition of looking out for each other with dispersed families often gathering in ancestral homes to celebrate.
Remittances from Diaspora Gambians in the run up to the EID day tend to spike up and ensures additional help for both immediate and extended families and sometimes for entire communities.This is also a time when some of our citizens embark on the annual Hajj in fulfillment of one of the basic pillars of Islam. May Allah accept their Hajj and facilitate their safe return home to the welcoming arms of their families, communities, and the Gambian nation at large. May Allah also help all aspiring Muslims to perform this important duty in its prescribed manner in their lifetimes.Finally I ask all Gambians to keep this great nation in their thoughts and prayers and to uphold all the good that our religion enjoins and strive for the common good. The difficulties we face require all of us to overcome whatever temporary inhibitions we may harbor to shape a better direction for our country. That means all of our citizens must endeavor to become agents of change in whatever manner or capacity suits the role they assign themselves. We must resist the temptation of doing nothing in the face of adversity with the mindset that we cannot make a difference as individuals. Our collective efforts can make a difference.
Transformational change is always a long and difficult journey. It is often reliant on the cumulative efforts of determined individuals who remain faithful to the ideals they aspire for and hold no ambiguity regarding the rectitude of their cause. I therefore appeal to your sense of duty to our nation not abandon it to its fate and to see through the promise that is engendered in the spirit of its people.
So, get involved and get others to do the same so that history will look kindly on all of us.May Allah bless all of you in all your endeavours.
Assalluma Allaikum Wa Rahmatullah
Ousainou Darboe UDP Party Secretary General Banjul, The Gambia 2010 Tobaski Message
My Fellow Gambians blessed Eid greetings to you and your loved ones. Here at home and in the far corners of World as you gather to celebrate this important and festive day, I send you warm salutations on my behalf and on behalf of the United Democratic Party. On this joyous occasion, Muslims are reminded of the test of faith the prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) underwent and by Allah's mercy emerged from strengthened in dedication to the mission the creator had for him in this world.
Today the faithful follow in this noble tradition, drawing from the lessons of divine guidance that was manifested in prophet Ibrahim. Eid for most Gambians is also a time of sharing and brings out the best in our tradition of looking out for each other with dispersed families often gathering in ancestral homes to celebrate.
Remittances from Diaspora Gambians in the run up to the EID day tend to spike up and ensures additional help for both immediate and extended families and sometimes for entire communities.This is also a time when some of our citizens embark on the annual Hajj in fulfillment of one of the basic pillars of Islam. May Allah accept their Hajj and facilitate their safe return home to the welcoming arms of their families, communities, and the Gambian nation at large. May Allah also help all aspiring Muslims to perform this important duty in its prescribed manner in their lifetimes.Finally I ask all Gambians to keep this great nation in their thoughts and prayers and to uphold all the good that our religion enjoins and strive for the common good. The difficulties we face require all of us to overcome whatever temporary inhibitions we may harbor to shape a better direction for our country. That means all of our citizens must endeavor to become agents of change in whatever manner or capacity suits the role they assign themselves. We must resist the temptation of doing nothing in the face of adversity with the mindset that we cannot make a difference as individuals. Our collective efforts can make a difference.
Transformational change is always a long and difficult journey. It is often reliant on the cumulative efforts of determined individuals who remain faithful to the ideals they aspire for and hold no ambiguity regarding the rectitude of their cause. I therefore appeal to your sense of duty to our nation not abandon it to its fate and to see through the promise that is engendered in the spirit of its people.
So, get involved and get others to do the same so that history will look kindly on all of us.May Allah bless all of you in all your endeavours.
Assalluma Allaikum Wa Rahmatullah
Ousainou Darboe UDP Party Secretary General Banjul, The Gambia 2010 Tobaski Message
Monday 27 September 2010
19 APRC Supporters join the UDP
19 APRC Party Members Crossed Over To Opposition UDP
24 September, 2010 03:22:00
www.thegambiajournal.com
Nineteen people, led by one Mariama Badjie of Bakau Newtown last Sunday announced their defection from the ruling APRC party to the main opposition United Democratic Party, UDP. The seven men and twelve women, who claimed to be previously staunch members of the APRC, expressed frustration with the one-man rule that currently prevails in the country and the growing difficulties of making ends meet in the country in a well attended meeting in central Brikama, in the Western Region. One of the men told The Gambia Journal, in a special interview on the sidelines of the rally how one of his sons, a soldier in the Gambia Armed Forces, has been made to disappear since his arrest a day before the last Independence celebration in February of this year. “There is no door we have not knocked to find out his whereabouts, but all to no avail. In fact, in the process, I came to find out men in the security forces are more terrified than we civilians, it cannot go on like this if we want peace in this country and that is why I decided to switch allegiance,” the middle-aged man from Foni who does not want to be named said.
Another woman who is one of the nineteen said, “Since the days of the transition when Yahya was in uniformed, I have attended all major APRC political rallies, gone on campaign tours around the country leaving husband and family behind. Listen, I have almost always dressed in the green color of the party. Behind my back people used to call me ‘Misses Green.’ But all these I did not do for Yahya personally or for myself personally, but for my children, their children and the people of this country. Now, they want me to go and work Yahya’s farm every weekend just because they gave me a piece of government job, cleaning offices in Banjul. The salary hardly covers the fares. And on top of this I must work as an informant for the NIA, reporting colleagues, neighbors and other innocent people. Enough is enough.”
Most of the others spoke of the rising cost of living and the difficulties making ends meet. In spit of all this, one said, President Jammeh is taking the country’s money and dishing it out to footballers, musicians, praise-singers and “other useless people” as if the country was “floating in dalasi notes.”
Many of these had been said by some of the nineteen people who spoke at the rally but could hardly be made out amidst the din of drumming, handclapping and a noisy background in the massive Brikama rally.
Party leader, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe Secretary General of the UDP used the occasion to call for talks within the opposition ahead of the coming presidential, parliamentary and local government elections. He said it is only by coming together through dialogue that the opposition can make headway in the presidential election due next year.
The political rally was the first organized by the party since the last mass rally about a year ago in central Serrekunda which led to the jailing of its former Campaign Manager, Femi Peters. Last July the party also held its first congress in Jarra Soma, Lower River Region where Darboe’s continued leadership was endorsed.
The UDP leader said he is ready to meet with any opposition leader in this country for a dialogue with a view to mapping out the way forward in salvaging the country.
"I am ready to meet with any opposition leader anywhere, anytime to discuss about the way forward in salvaging our country," he told the gathering.
The Gambia, Darboe went on, has reached a level where the opposition needs to put aside all their differences and work together in the interest of the citizens.
Darboe pointed at the skyrocketing of prices in the country, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, the drug and other scandals among top-ranking government officials, the instability in government and growing personal tyranny as a challenge to every citizen of the country.
"Nobody will salvage our people other than our very own selves together with their support. The Gambia has reached a point where all hands must be put on deck to effect change," he said, adding that "it is better to be late than never".
Other speakers at the rally included Propaganda Secretary and President of the Youth Wing, Momodou Lamin Shyngle Nyassi and Rambo Jatta UDP National President Dembo Bojang, Aja Aunty Yama Secka, Amie Sabally representing the opposition NRP, and UDP Nyambai ward sponsored candidate Foday Gassama.
24 September, 2010 03:22:00
www.thegambiajournal.com
Nineteen people, led by one Mariama Badjie of Bakau Newtown last Sunday announced their defection from the ruling APRC party to the main opposition United Democratic Party, UDP. The seven men and twelve women, who claimed to be previously staunch members of the APRC, expressed frustration with the one-man rule that currently prevails in the country and the growing difficulties of making ends meet in the country in a well attended meeting in central Brikama, in the Western Region. One of the men told The Gambia Journal, in a special interview on the sidelines of the rally how one of his sons, a soldier in the Gambia Armed Forces, has been made to disappear since his arrest a day before the last Independence celebration in February of this year. “There is no door we have not knocked to find out his whereabouts, but all to no avail. In fact, in the process, I came to find out men in the security forces are more terrified than we civilians, it cannot go on like this if we want peace in this country and that is why I decided to switch allegiance,” the middle-aged man from Foni who does not want to be named said.
Another woman who is one of the nineteen said, “Since the days of the transition when Yahya was in uniformed, I have attended all major APRC political rallies, gone on campaign tours around the country leaving husband and family behind. Listen, I have almost always dressed in the green color of the party. Behind my back people used to call me ‘Misses Green.’ But all these I did not do for Yahya personally or for myself personally, but for my children, their children and the people of this country. Now, they want me to go and work Yahya’s farm every weekend just because they gave me a piece of government job, cleaning offices in Banjul. The salary hardly covers the fares. And on top of this I must work as an informant for the NIA, reporting colleagues, neighbors and other innocent people. Enough is enough.”
Most of the others spoke of the rising cost of living and the difficulties making ends meet. In spit of all this, one said, President Jammeh is taking the country’s money and dishing it out to footballers, musicians, praise-singers and “other useless people” as if the country was “floating in dalasi notes.”
Many of these had been said by some of the nineteen people who spoke at the rally but could hardly be made out amidst the din of drumming, handclapping and a noisy background in the massive Brikama rally.
Party leader, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe Secretary General of the UDP used the occasion to call for talks within the opposition ahead of the coming presidential, parliamentary and local government elections. He said it is only by coming together through dialogue that the opposition can make headway in the presidential election due next year.
The political rally was the first organized by the party since the last mass rally about a year ago in central Serrekunda which led to the jailing of its former Campaign Manager, Femi Peters. Last July the party also held its first congress in Jarra Soma, Lower River Region where Darboe’s continued leadership was endorsed.
The UDP leader said he is ready to meet with any opposition leader in this country for a dialogue with a view to mapping out the way forward in salvaging the country.
"I am ready to meet with any opposition leader anywhere, anytime to discuss about the way forward in salvaging our country," he told the gathering.
The Gambia, Darboe went on, has reached a level where the opposition needs to put aside all their differences and work together in the interest of the citizens.
Darboe pointed at the skyrocketing of prices in the country, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, the drug and other scandals among top-ranking government officials, the instability in government and growing personal tyranny as a challenge to every citizen of the country.
"Nobody will salvage our people other than our very own selves together with their support. The Gambia has reached a point where all hands must be put on deck to effect change," he said, adding that "it is better to be late than never".
Other speakers at the rally included Propaganda Secretary and President of the Youth Wing, Momodou Lamin Shyngle Nyassi and Rambo Jatta UDP National President Dembo Bojang, Aja Aunty Yama Secka, Amie Sabally representing the opposition NRP, and UDP Nyambai ward sponsored candidate Foday Gassama.
Monday 13 September 2010
The Big interview by Maafanta, Darboe speaks
"Human beings are not like baskets that you can just grab and carry on your head. They must be willing to go along with you." - Ousainu Darboe- UDP
It has been almost three months since Maafanta is trying to get an interview with the UDP leader Mr. Ousainu Darboe and Halipha Sallah of the PDOIS. UDP is the biggest opposition party on the ground but weary Gambian opposition voters are still not happy that the opposition leaders cannot put their acts together and form a united front.Due to electricity problems in the Gambia they both complain, plus their hectic schedules, it took longer than expected as we try to find the big 'what 'and 'How 'of what is making the possibility of Gambian opposition parties comming together insurmountable.We posed almost identical questions to these leaders as Maafanta seeks some answers from Mr. Darboe to shed light on the matter and see if his response will make Gambian voters any hopeful.(Interview is conducted by Fatou Jaw Manneh ,maafanta.com)
Good afternoon Mr. Ousainu . UDP just held congress. You emerge again as the leader of the party. Are you surprised that you are still the party’s choice or were you certain that you will emerge as the UDP Leader?I went to the congress to render an account of my stewardship of the party for the past years. At the conclusion of reports and adoption of resolutions I stepped down as Secretary General and party leader; I and all other office holders left it to the delegates to elect the new leadership of the party including the position of party leader. I was not certain that I would be re- elected but I was also not surprised that I was re- elected because the factors that influenced the membership of the party in 1996 to select me as a leader still prevail. I accepted my re- election with humility and at the same time with gratitude to the congress delegates.After the UDP congress so what now? 2011 is here.2011 is just around the corner. This fact weighs heavily on the U.D.P. Our focus - both pre and post conference- is on effective mobilization of support. The strategy of 2011 will not be confined to only big rallies. We are encouraging electorates at both ward and village levels.2011 is decisive for the Gambia and the UDP is determined to do all that is necessary so that Jammeh’s administration is voted out of officeUDP is the biggest opposition political party on the ground as we speak, and your alliance with AHmat Bah of NRP will definitely boost your prospects regarding votes come 2011. But don’t you fear even with Ahmat‘s NRP you guys are likely lose to Jammeh especially with other parties contesting on the side too namely PDOIS and GMC?The U.D.P has never downplayed the role of an all opposition alliance to contest the next elections. The Gambian people are witnesses to the efforts by the U.D.P to create a formidable alliance that will contest against the incumbent. I am sure PDOIS and GMC also realize that there is a need for the opposition to form a united front. I hope that all parties will be able to come together and contest the next cycle of elections under one banner.”The Gambia people are witness to the efforts by the UDP to create a formidable alliance that will contest against the incumbent”, i quote you.What specific efforts? What Gambians remember most is your resigning from NADD. Much is said about that. What efforts have you done since your party’s resignation from NADD? Specifically please, that will give us a clear understanding of the “efforts” you are trying for a formidable alliance as you say.I have had a meeting or two with Mr. Sallah between July- August 2006 and that was it. But I wrote letters and made some calls .The million dollar question, Ousainu, yep you are the biggest political party on the ground but what is proving it difficult for you to form an alliance with all the other opposition parties? Forget the NADD breakup, the haggles and disagreements, what is stopping you from inviting Halipha , OJ and Mai Fatty to come and rally behind the UDP to contest the elections 2011? Owning the biggest car on the road does not make all other vehicles invisible or redundant. What is stopping you from approaching Halipha, OJ and Mai Fatty to form a coalition against the APRC ?I appreciate the biggest car metaphor. The U.D.P has never written off any party or political party. We have never underestimated the importance of any political or party leader. I have not approached any political leader” to rally behind the U.D.P to contest the 2011 elections” but I have tried to talk to Mr. Sallah and Mr. Jallow. My efforts to meet Mr. Sallah did not bear fruits. I however succeeded meeting Mr. Jallow on a few occasions, some at his residence, others at mine and at least one on a neutral ground. We are still engaged. Mr. Jallow was very positive and I hope that the élan with which both of us are treating this important issue will be kept alive.As you know Mr. Fatty is still out of the country but we are in touch. My discussion with Mr. Jallow and Mr. Fatty is not to get them rally behind the U.D.P. Our discussions have focused on the need to have an alliance that is viable and robust to challenge and weed out Jammeh.Please elaborate on that. Did you ever call him? Went to him? Sent for him? Sent someone for him? You said you talked to OJ? About what? Halipha coming to you for some real talks or just some general talks that “the opposition should come together? You emphasized your attempts to meet with Hailpha were futile. How? What exactly frustrates you about Halipha? What do you want Halipha to Do? What will you tell him or convince him to do when you have a chance to sit with him?I remember trying Halifa on a Friday but could not reach him through his cell. I called Sidia Jatta who forwarded his home line. I called that line too but to no avail. I then asked Sidia to relay to Halipha that am trying to reach him so we can meet on Saturday or Sunday. I called back Sidia for the outcome and Sidia told me that Halipha said if it is regarding inter-party relations, then I can have that meeting with Sidia.Sidia was willing to meet but promised that I give him time hence they were busy at the public account meeting of the national assembly and could not meet that particular week but will get back to me as soon as those proceedings are over. And later Sidia said he is travelling to Wulli so we can meet when he gets back and I am still listening.Waiting to be contacted.Ousainu perceptions are very difficult to allay, wrong or right. UDP is seen as a very big rigid, unyielding, inflexible Mandinka party. It does not matter how many Fatou N’jies and Ya Kombeh Jobes you integrate or are representative of the UDP, How are you going to curb that perception or misconception?It is wrong and unfair to label the U.D.P as rigid, unyielding and inflexible Mandinka party. I will leave our detractors to go on with these false and misleading propagandas. I will not attempt to defend the non-ethnical composition and nature of the U. D. P.I would rather focus on the nation’s agenda (removal of Jammeh in 2011 elections) than addressing baseless allegations by people whose objections to the U. D. P is that its leader is Mandinka and ostensibly enjoys the support of Mandingos .Why is no one labeling the APRC as a Jola party in the face of a very strong opposition to other parties from the mainly Jola inhabited Foni?Ousainu, why is it difficult for you to say, hey Halipha, I respect and understand your mandate and the love and sacrifice you have for the Gambia, why not we put aside our differences, Please come behind UDP and let’s forge a way forward.?I do not have to assure Mr. Sallah that I do have respect for him. I assume he knows that I do. I appreciate the sacrifice and love that each of the political parties, Mr. Sallah included, has for The Gambia. It is in appreciation of this fact that I made efforts to meet him and put him in the know of what I think we should do for 2011 but my attempts proved futile. Notwithstanding my respect for him and appreciation of his love for Gambia , I must confess that I do not know what his mandate is. My attempt to meet him was not influenced by my knowledge of his mandate.Why can’t you tell Halipha , I need men of your caliber behind the UDP, I need the support and votes from your party. This is what Gambians expect and want us to do. Can we please come together because no matter how many votes we each get as individual parties, we’re still going to lose the elections if we contest apart? Why can’t you genuinely and sincerely approach Halipha, Mai and OJ?I assume that my response to your earlier question takes care of the matters raised in your 7th question.If Jammeh wins 50 percent or let’s even say 38 percent, you win 32 percent and PDOIS and GMC wins 30 percent, Jammeh still wins right? It does not matter the improvements on your votes, you vote divided, you lose big time even if Jammeh is at its least popular. And there is no sign of that. Would that not make it wise for you guys to just be cooperative and come together?No one can contest the validity of the scenario you have just painted. It is to avoid such a situation arising that I have engaged Mr. Jallow and Mr. Fatty in discussions. I hope that others will give us listening ear.Don’t you think the rigidity on the side of the opposition just frustrates and make Gambian voters lose faith in you all?The U.D.P has not been rigid on anything. We are willing to change our position on any issue if we are convinced.How is the UDP going to curb threats from the Jammeh regime come 2011? Kanyiba Kanyi is still missing, and Jammeh has just tried your muscle by sending a powerful and important person of the UDP, Femi Peters to jail, now about 6 months and you cannot do anything about it. How will you handle future threats as election nears?We would hope that there are no threats to the U.D.P in the run up to 2011 elections.Our handling on any future threat will be dependent on how the threat is carried out. You may note that the dictator is easing off on arrest and detention but resorting to the law courts to achieve his objectives. We see this trend repeated in the Femi peters case. I hope that the judiciary will not discredit itself by collaborating with Jammeh in suppressing the U. D. P or any other party, institution or individual.Don’t you think a united front will make it easier for you guys to collectively counter threats from Jammeh?I am not sure to what extent a united front will keep at bay Jammeh’s threats or ploys to frustrate the opposition in its 2011 campaigns. You may re-call the arrests, detention and what appears to me to be the mock arraignment of the NADD executive members before Justice Paul. There was then a united a front but that did not deter Jammeh in doing what he wanted to do. The criminal justice system seems to be the new weapon in Jammeh’s hands. I do not know to what extent united opposition will influence the decision to prosecute or not prosecute any political figure or a party militant on spurious accusations.You say that the criminal justice system seems to be the new weapon in Jammeh’s hands. And you worry that Jammeh goes to law courts now to achieve his objectives. As a lawyer you seem to obsess over the courts in dealing with Jammeh, but now that you realize that the very courts you rely on to argue the futility of certain cases, are now playing in Jammeh’s hands. The courts are the best place YOU KNOW AS A LAWYER. You agree now the dictator has the court in his hands. How do you curb that fear? So what is your next step especially with Femi Peters in jail? How do you get Femi out? What is the opposition doing about Femi Peters? What are the Gambian people doing about Femi peters and other UDP members in jail?Obviously when a dictator resorts to using methods he is not used to, the opponents had to devise ways to counter that too or curb the new situation. Not every judge in the judiciary is in the pockets of Yaya Jammeh, so we have to challenge him on the very terrain he is resorting to and I believe the Supreme Court is an appropriate forum. Although the process is time consuming but that is one of the options available. Well UDP is doing whatever is necessary at the courts to get Femi Peters out. We are doing it through the courts and through extra judicial means too. And when you say the opposition that implies us as a group of all opposition parties, but that is not happening hence we do not have a common forum where we can discuss matters regarding group decisions.For the Gambian people , a good question, well ordinary Gambians as usual are expressing dissatisfaction and discontent about Femi Peters and others but that ‘s about it. But Nothing elseI have seen you tirelessly representing and supporting Gambians in court, UDP members or not myself included. Gambians see you as a very intelligent, dedicated, loving and amicable person. Are you not already exhausted from all of this manhandling, mistreatment and haggling from the Yaya regime? Imagine you have Hamat Bah, Omar Jallow(OJ) , Mai Fatty Halipha Sallah, Sidea Jatta. Don’t you think that can only raise your profile collectively, and help you counter threats effectively, rather than you guys individually shooting in the air? Because we don’t need be to be rocket scientist to know that you cannot win the elections only with Hamat Bah’s NRP as an alliance?The main thrust of this question is on the need for a united opposition and I believe i have addressed this issue in my response to your earlier questions. I must however state that I am not exhausted from the effect of what Jammeh has been doing. I hope and wish that I do not get exhausted because if I reach that point, then I would sit back and re-think the utility of what I have been doing which may lead to me opting out a situation that has never crossed my mind.Mr Darboe If you guys are sincere about Gambia’s predicament as you all lament, why should it be this difficult and monumental for you guys to come together? It takes years and elections are here and still no word of a coalition. Gambians are not impressed neither do they want you guys to contest alone and don’t want to risk any surprises. Don’t you think that will just make the fickle voters to go along with Yaya Jammeh?Again just like your last preceding question, the main thrust of the question is on opposition unity. I have indicated the efforts and the response so far. Human beings are not like baskets that you can just grab and carry on your head. They must be willing to go along with you.“My efforts to meet Mr. Sallah did not bear fruits…………….”. ......"Human beings are not just like baskets that you just put on your head and carry along. They must be willing to come along". So the public assumption that you guys did not or do or have any meaningful discussion on the alliance is true? You still never had a one on one with Halipha?I had tried around February - March to meet Mr.Sallah. No I had no chance at all to meet Halipha. It was all futile and met with rejection by Mr. Sallah. We cannot have any meaningful discussions if we do not meet.Gambian women: how do you entice them with all this bling bling activities , endless festivals Jammeh have with our women, how are you going to convince Gambian women that flashing dalasi notes is not all that is to a party? They have a responsibility too.I cannot agree with you more. Gambian women have an enormous responsibility- the responsibility to take up their rightful position in society, the responsibility to build a country that offers a lot of opportunities to generations yet unborn. These festivals and dalasi flashing events only serve to temporarily distract women from the very serious issues confronting the nation. The election of women to various offices is testimony to our commitment to ensuring that women do participate in the running of the party as effectively as their male counterpart. A new national women’s executive has been selected and women coordinators selected for the electoral regions of The Gambia. I shall in the very near future be attending the inaugural meeting of this very important organ of the partyUDP has elected a lot of women as representatives to the party. That must be exciting for you. What are their plans for the party?The U. D. P realizes that women’s role in political should not be only that of entertainers and “ King Makers”. They are very important component in our political process. The U. D. P believes that women must be put in decision making. It is precisely because of this, that a number of women have been elected to serve as national officers of the partyYou know old age is sneaking on all of us fast, this 2011 elections might be your last chance to contest in any presidential elections in the Gambia . Why not make it the most memorable for generations of Gambians to come?There is no doubt that I am advancing in age. Your contention that 2011 might be my last chance to contest any presidential elections is premised on an assumption which may be rebutted by the results of 2011 elections. I think the burden lies on Gambian people to make the 2011 elections memorable for “generations of Gambians to come”.Your supporters can be very heavy handed, inflexible and outright brash and sometimes vulgar in all political discourse. I mean the ones on online forums. What word of advice or caution do you have for them because that will not help you in anyway?We believe in expressing our views with candor and honesty. We do not believe in dancing around issues. We believe in calling a spade a spade. Sometimes our views are considered” heavy handed “etc. when they are not coterminous with other views. I believe we have to look at these expressions of opinions objectively divorced from the personality of the individual whose opinion is being challenged. We do not as a party and will not subscribe to the use of vulgar language directed at any person. The U. D. P believes that its supporters must express their views on the running of their own party and other issues without being vulgar. Vulgarity is alien to U. D. P.I ask those genuine supporters of the U.D.P to engage in constructive discussion of issues and refrain from the use of vulgar language. We cannot do anything with those who pretend to be U. D. P supporters and engage in vulgarity with a desire of portraying the party and its supporters in bad lightMr. Darboe, this might be your last contest as president. You might soon retire from politics, looking back to this 2011 elections. Don’t you think this elections will be the only opportunity that you will look back and say “I did what Gambians expected of me, I have bend some rules to accommodate other parties and we pulled it off as a united front”. Does Mandela and Buthelezi ring a bell? Why do you want to miss that opportunity?I do not intend to retire from politics after 20111 elections. I will stay an active member of the party and be part of delegates that will attend congress at which the party elects its leaders. My continued participation in politics will not be dependent on my contesting for elective office; that will be rather selfish. A lot of well meaning people have as it were stuck it out with me as leader of U.D.P.Why should I, because of constitutional impediments not continue to participate in U.D.P politics and give all support to the new leader! I have never refused to work with any party. I have not promulgated any rules so there is no question of me bending rules. No opposition politician in The Gambia can with honesty accuse me of being non- accommodating. I have always been ready to listen to others outside U.D.P. That is the first step any accommodating person takes.I appreciate the reference to that icon and seminal thinker - Nelson Mandela-who should serve as a role model for present and future African politicians.Nelson Mandela however contested his only elections without pre- conditions from any member of his party or other parties in South Africa . I personally believe that there are politicians in Africa who aspire to have history place them in the same orbit as Mandela. And this can be achieved by various means.I will quote you “I have never refused to work with any party. I have not promulgated any rules, so there is no question of me bending rules . No Opposition politician in the Gambia can honestly accuse me of being non- accommodating. I have always been ready to listen to others outside UDP. That is the first accommodating step any one can take.” Mr Darboe it’s almost 4 yrs you are listening. Don’t you think if you guys are serious about an alliance you would have been at a different stage now further than just listening?Well my efforts show how serious I am about a coalition. I must say that every party has individuals responsible for the functioning of a party but I feel Halipha should not reject my calls to meet him. I feel i am not treated right, and I would not do that to my fellow politician of whatever rank. If we do not meet we cannot again have any meaningful discussion.Mr. Darboe, Gambians are very frustrated about this coalition thing and it is brewing that you guys should be completely abandoned and other venues sort, like a new political party or Independent candidate. Your take on that.Well any third party or Independent candidate is welcome. But remember the third party is going to get it’s pool of supporters from PDOIS, GMC, UDP, NRP. So that will not help the opposition confronting the current situation in the country. It is going to reduce numbers for the existing opposition parties and I don’t know how that can advance our cause. Even with the fragmentation caused by a new party, a certain percentage is still left with the existing opposition parties. I will not discard the idea for a wider range of choice for Presidency or at parliamentary level.Thank you and sorry for the delay during the interview.Thank you for your time too Mr. Darboe and sorry for nagging you all this time for answers and disrupting you frequently with your busy schedule.My pleasure.Thanks again Mr Ousainu for your time. Forgive me if am brash. I just want a very factual and candid interview for Maafanta readers, your fans, supporters and Gambians at large.Thank you for the interview. I appreciate your desire to be factual and candid. I hope I have been able to assist you achieve your objective. Ramadan Mubarak to all your readers.
It has been almost three months since Maafanta is trying to get an interview with the UDP leader Mr. Ousainu Darboe and Halipha Sallah of the PDOIS. UDP is the biggest opposition party on the ground but weary Gambian opposition voters are still not happy that the opposition leaders cannot put their acts together and form a united front.Due to electricity problems in the Gambia they both complain, plus their hectic schedules, it took longer than expected as we try to find the big 'what 'and 'How 'of what is making the possibility of Gambian opposition parties comming together insurmountable.We posed almost identical questions to these leaders as Maafanta seeks some answers from Mr. Darboe to shed light on the matter and see if his response will make Gambian voters any hopeful.(Interview is conducted by Fatou Jaw Manneh ,maafanta.com)
Good afternoon Mr. Ousainu . UDP just held congress. You emerge again as the leader of the party. Are you surprised that you are still the party’s choice or were you certain that you will emerge as the UDP Leader?I went to the congress to render an account of my stewardship of the party for the past years. At the conclusion of reports and adoption of resolutions I stepped down as Secretary General and party leader; I and all other office holders left it to the delegates to elect the new leadership of the party including the position of party leader. I was not certain that I would be re- elected but I was also not surprised that I was re- elected because the factors that influenced the membership of the party in 1996 to select me as a leader still prevail. I accepted my re- election with humility and at the same time with gratitude to the congress delegates.After the UDP congress so what now? 2011 is here.2011 is just around the corner. This fact weighs heavily on the U.D.P. Our focus - both pre and post conference- is on effective mobilization of support. The strategy of 2011 will not be confined to only big rallies. We are encouraging electorates at both ward and village levels.2011 is decisive for the Gambia and the UDP is determined to do all that is necessary so that Jammeh’s administration is voted out of officeUDP is the biggest opposition political party on the ground as we speak, and your alliance with AHmat Bah of NRP will definitely boost your prospects regarding votes come 2011. But don’t you fear even with Ahmat‘s NRP you guys are likely lose to Jammeh especially with other parties contesting on the side too namely PDOIS and GMC?The U.D.P has never downplayed the role of an all opposition alliance to contest the next elections. The Gambian people are witnesses to the efforts by the U.D.P to create a formidable alliance that will contest against the incumbent. I am sure PDOIS and GMC also realize that there is a need for the opposition to form a united front. I hope that all parties will be able to come together and contest the next cycle of elections under one banner.”The Gambia people are witness to the efforts by the UDP to create a formidable alliance that will contest against the incumbent”, i quote you.What specific efforts? What Gambians remember most is your resigning from NADD. Much is said about that. What efforts have you done since your party’s resignation from NADD? Specifically please, that will give us a clear understanding of the “efforts” you are trying for a formidable alliance as you say.I have had a meeting or two with Mr. Sallah between July- August 2006 and that was it. But I wrote letters and made some calls .The million dollar question, Ousainu, yep you are the biggest political party on the ground but what is proving it difficult for you to form an alliance with all the other opposition parties? Forget the NADD breakup, the haggles and disagreements, what is stopping you from inviting Halipha , OJ and Mai Fatty to come and rally behind the UDP to contest the elections 2011? Owning the biggest car on the road does not make all other vehicles invisible or redundant. What is stopping you from approaching Halipha, OJ and Mai Fatty to form a coalition against the APRC ?I appreciate the biggest car metaphor. The U.D.P has never written off any party or political party. We have never underestimated the importance of any political or party leader. I have not approached any political leader” to rally behind the U.D.P to contest the 2011 elections” but I have tried to talk to Mr. Sallah and Mr. Jallow. My efforts to meet Mr. Sallah did not bear fruits. I however succeeded meeting Mr. Jallow on a few occasions, some at his residence, others at mine and at least one on a neutral ground. We are still engaged. Mr. Jallow was very positive and I hope that the élan with which both of us are treating this important issue will be kept alive.As you know Mr. Fatty is still out of the country but we are in touch. My discussion with Mr. Jallow and Mr. Fatty is not to get them rally behind the U.D.P. Our discussions have focused on the need to have an alliance that is viable and robust to challenge and weed out Jammeh.Please elaborate on that. Did you ever call him? Went to him? Sent for him? Sent someone for him? You said you talked to OJ? About what? Halipha coming to you for some real talks or just some general talks that “the opposition should come together? You emphasized your attempts to meet with Hailpha were futile. How? What exactly frustrates you about Halipha? What do you want Halipha to Do? What will you tell him or convince him to do when you have a chance to sit with him?I remember trying Halifa on a Friday but could not reach him through his cell. I called Sidia Jatta who forwarded his home line. I called that line too but to no avail. I then asked Sidia to relay to Halipha that am trying to reach him so we can meet on Saturday or Sunday. I called back Sidia for the outcome and Sidia told me that Halipha said if it is regarding inter-party relations, then I can have that meeting with Sidia.Sidia was willing to meet but promised that I give him time hence they were busy at the public account meeting of the national assembly and could not meet that particular week but will get back to me as soon as those proceedings are over. And later Sidia said he is travelling to Wulli so we can meet when he gets back and I am still listening.Waiting to be contacted.Ousainu perceptions are very difficult to allay, wrong or right. UDP is seen as a very big rigid, unyielding, inflexible Mandinka party. It does not matter how many Fatou N’jies and Ya Kombeh Jobes you integrate or are representative of the UDP, How are you going to curb that perception or misconception?It is wrong and unfair to label the U.D.P as rigid, unyielding and inflexible Mandinka party. I will leave our detractors to go on with these false and misleading propagandas. I will not attempt to defend the non-ethnical composition and nature of the U. D. P.I would rather focus on the nation’s agenda (removal of Jammeh in 2011 elections) than addressing baseless allegations by people whose objections to the U. D. P is that its leader is Mandinka and ostensibly enjoys the support of Mandingos .Why is no one labeling the APRC as a Jola party in the face of a very strong opposition to other parties from the mainly Jola inhabited Foni?Ousainu, why is it difficult for you to say, hey Halipha, I respect and understand your mandate and the love and sacrifice you have for the Gambia, why not we put aside our differences, Please come behind UDP and let’s forge a way forward.?I do not have to assure Mr. Sallah that I do have respect for him. I assume he knows that I do. I appreciate the sacrifice and love that each of the political parties, Mr. Sallah included, has for The Gambia. It is in appreciation of this fact that I made efforts to meet him and put him in the know of what I think we should do for 2011 but my attempts proved futile. Notwithstanding my respect for him and appreciation of his love for Gambia , I must confess that I do not know what his mandate is. My attempt to meet him was not influenced by my knowledge of his mandate.Why can’t you tell Halipha , I need men of your caliber behind the UDP, I need the support and votes from your party. This is what Gambians expect and want us to do. Can we please come together because no matter how many votes we each get as individual parties, we’re still going to lose the elections if we contest apart? Why can’t you genuinely and sincerely approach Halipha, Mai and OJ?I assume that my response to your earlier question takes care of the matters raised in your 7th question.If Jammeh wins 50 percent or let’s even say 38 percent, you win 32 percent and PDOIS and GMC wins 30 percent, Jammeh still wins right? It does not matter the improvements on your votes, you vote divided, you lose big time even if Jammeh is at its least popular. And there is no sign of that. Would that not make it wise for you guys to just be cooperative and come together?No one can contest the validity of the scenario you have just painted. It is to avoid such a situation arising that I have engaged Mr. Jallow and Mr. Fatty in discussions. I hope that others will give us listening ear.Don’t you think the rigidity on the side of the opposition just frustrates and make Gambian voters lose faith in you all?The U.D.P has not been rigid on anything. We are willing to change our position on any issue if we are convinced.How is the UDP going to curb threats from the Jammeh regime come 2011? Kanyiba Kanyi is still missing, and Jammeh has just tried your muscle by sending a powerful and important person of the UDP, Femi Peters to jail, now about 6 months and you cannot do anything about it. How will you handle future threats as election nears?We would hope that there are no threats to the U.D.P in the run up to 2011 elections.Our handling on any future threat will be dependent on how the threat is carried out. You may note that the dictator is easing off on arrest and detention but resorting to the law courts to achieve his objectives. We see this trend repeated in the Femi peters case. I hope that the judiciary will not discredit itself by collaborating with Jammeh in suppressing the U. D. P or any other party, institution or individual.Don’t you think a united front will make it easier for you guys to collectively counter threats from Jammeh?I am not sure to what extent a united front will keep at bay Jammeh’s threats or ploys to frustrate the opposition in its 2011 campaigns. You may re-call the arrests, detention and what appears to me to be the mock arraignment of the NADD executive members before Justice Paul. There was then a united a front but that did not deter Jammeh in doing what he wanted to do. The criminal justice system seems to be the new weapon in Jammeh’s hands. I do not know to what extent united opposition will influence the decision to prosecute or not prosecute any political figure or a party militant on spurious accusations.You say that the criminal justice system seems to be the new weapon in Jammeh’s hands. And you worry that Jammeh goes to law courts now to achieve his objectives. As a lawyer you seem to obsess over the courts in dealing with Jammeh, but now that you realize that the very courts you rely on to argue the futility of certain cases, are now playing in Jammeh’s hands. The courts are the best place YOU KNOW AS A LAWYER. You agree now the dictator has the court in his hands. How do you curb that fear? So what is your next step especially with Femi Peters in jail? How do you get Femi out? What is the opposition doing about Femi Peters? What are the Gambian people doing about Femi peters and other UDP members in jail?Obviously when a dictator resorts to using methods he is not used to, the opponents had to devise ways to counter that too or curb the new situation. Not every judge in the judiciary is in the pockets of Yaya Jammeh, so we have to challenge him on the very terrain he is resorting to and I believe the Supreme Court is an appropriate forum. Although the process is time consuming but that is one of the options available. Well UDP is doing whatever is necessary at the courts to get Femi Peters out. We are doing it through the courts and through extra judicial means too. And when you say the opposition that implies us as a group of all opposition parties, but that is not happening hence we do not have a common forum where we can discuss matters regarding group decisions.For the Gambian people , a good question, well ordinary Gambians as usual are expressing dissatisfaction and discontent about Femi Peters and others but that ‘s about it. But Nothing elseI have seen you tirelessly representing and supporting Gambians in court, UDP members or not myself included. Gambians see you as a very intelligent, dedicated, loving and amicable person. Are you not already exhausted from all of this manhandling, mistreatment and haggling from the Yaya regime? Imagine you have Hamat Bah, Omar Jallow(OJ) , Mai Fatty Halipha Sallah, Sidea Jatta. Don’t you think that can only raise your profile collectively, and help you counter threats effectively, rather than you guys individually shooting in the air? Because we don’t need be to be rocket scientist to know that you cannot win the elections only with Hamat Bah’s NRP as an alliance?The main thrust of this question is on the need for a united opposition and I believe i have addressed this issue in my response to your earlier questions. I must however state that I am not exhausted from the effect of what Jammeh has been doing. I hope and wish that I do not get exhausted because if I reach that point, then I would sit back and re-think the utility of what I have been doing which may lead to me opting out a situation that has never crossed my mind.Mr Darboe If you guys are sincere about Gambia’s predicament as you all lament, why should it be this difficult and monumental for you guys to come together? It takes years and elections are here and still no word of a coalition. Gambians are not impressed neither do they want you guys to contest alone and don’t want to risk any surprises. Don’t you think that will just make the fickle voters to go along with Yaya Jammeh?Again just like your last preceding question, the main thrust of the question is on opposition unity. I have indicated the efforts and the response so far. Human beings are not like baskets that you can just grab and carry on your head. They must be willing to go along with you.“My efforts to meet Mr. Sallah did not bear fruits…………….”. ......"Human beings are not just like baskets that you just put on your head and carry along. They must be willing to come along". So the public assumption that you guys did not or do or have any meaningful discussion on the alliance is true? You still never had a one on one with Halipha?I had tried around February - March to meet Mr.Sallah. No I had no chance at all to meet Halipha. It was all futile and met with rejection by Mr. Sallah. We cannot have any meaningful discussions if we do not meet.Gambian women: how do you entice them with all this bling bling activities , endless festivals Jammeh have with our women, how are you going to convince Gambian women that flashing dalasi notes is not all that is to a party? They have a responsibility too.I cannot agree with you more. Gambian women have an enormous responsibility- the responsibility to take up their rightful position in society, the responsibility to build a country that offers a lot of opportunities to generations yet unborn. These festivals and dalasi flashing events only serve to temporarily distract women from the very serious issues confronting the nation. The election of women to various offices is testimony to our commitment to ensuring that women do participate in the running of the party as effectively as their male counterpart. A new national women’s executive has been selected and women coordinators selected for the electoral regions of The Gambia. I shall in the very near future be attending the inaugural meeting of this very important organ of the partyUDP has elected a lot of women as representatives to the party. That must be exciting for you. What are their plans for the party?The U. D. P realizes that women’s role in political should not be only that of entertainers and “ King Makers”. They are very important component in our political process. The U. D. P believes that women must be put in decision making. It is precisely because of this, that a number of women have been elected to serve as national officers of the partyYou know old age is sneaking on all of us fast, this 2011 elections might be your last chance to contest in any presidential elections in the Gambia . Why not make it the most memorable for generations of Gambians to come?There is no doubt that I am advancing in age. Your contention that 2011 might be my last chance to contest any presidential elections is premised on an assumption which may be rebutted by the results of 2011 elections. I think the burden lies on Gambian people to make the 2011 elections memorable for “generations of Gambians to come”.Your supporters can be very heavy handed, inflexible and outright brash and sometimes vulgar in all political discourse. I mean the ones on online forums. What word of advice or caution do you have for them because that will not help you in anyway?We believe in expressing our views with candor and honesty. We do not believe in dancing around issues. We believe in calling a spade a spade. Sometimes our views are considered” heavy handed “etc. when they are not coterminous with other views. I believe we have to look at these expressions of opinions objectively divorced from the personality of the individual whose opinion is being challenged. We do not as a party and will not subscribe to the use of vulgar language directed at any person. The U. D. P believes that its supporters must express their views on the running of their own party and other issues without being vulgar. Vulgarity is alien to U. D. P.I ask those genuine supporters of the U.D.P to engage in constructive discussion of issues and refrain from the use of vulgar language. We cannot do anything with those who pretend to be U. D. P supporters and engage in vulgarity with a desire of portraying the party and its supporters in bad lightMr. Darboe, this might be your last contest as president. You might soon retire from politics, looking back to this 2011 elections. Don’t you think this elections will be the only opportunity that you will look back and say “I did what Gambians expected of me, I have bend some rules to accommodate other parties and we pulled it off as a united front”. Does Mandela and Buthelezi ring a bell? Why do you want to miss that opportunity?I do not intend to retire from politics after 20111 elections. I will stay an active member of the party and be part of delegates that will attend congress at which the party elects its leaders. My continued participation in politics will not be dependent on my contesting for elective office; that will be rather selfish. A lot of well meaning people have as it were stuck it out with me as leader of U.D.P.Why should I, because of constitutional impediments not continue to participate in U.D.P politics and give all support to the new leader! I have never refused to work with any party. I have not promulgated any rules so there is no question of me bending rules. No opposition politician in The Gambia can with honesty accuse me of being non- accommodating. I have always been ready to listen to others outside U.D.P. That is the first step any accommodating person takes.I appreciate the reference to that icon and seminal thinker - Nelson Mandela-who should serve as a role model for present and future African politicians.Nelson Mandela however contested his only elections without pre- conditions from any member of his party or other parties in South Africa . I personally believe that there are politicians in Africa who aspire to have history place them in the same orbit as Mandela. And this can be achieved by various means.I will quote you “I have never refused to work with any party. I have not promulgated any rules, so there is no question of me bending rules . No Opposition politician in the Gambia can honestly accuse me of being non- accommodating. I have always been ready to listen to others outside UDP. That is the first accommodating step any one can take.” Mr Darboe it’s almost 4 yrs you are listening. Don’t you think if you guys are serious about an alliance you would have been at a different stage now further than just listening?Well my efforts show how serious I am about a coalition. I must say that every party has individuals responsible for the functioning of a party but I feel Halipha should not reject my calls to meet him. I feel i am not treated right, and I would not do that to my fellow politician of whatever rank. If we do not meet we cannot again have any meaningful discussion.Mr. Darboe, Gambians are very frustrated about this coalition thing and it is brewing that you guys should be completely abandoned and other venues sort, like a new political party or Independent candidate. Your take on that.Well any third party or Independent candidate is welcome. But remember the third party is going to get it’s pool of supporters from PDOIS, GMC, UDP, NRP. So that will not help the opposition confronting the current situation in the country. It is going to reduce numbers for the existing opposition parties and I don’t know how that can advance our cause. Even with the fragmentation caused by a new party, a certain percentage is still left with the existing opposition parties. I will not discard the idea for a wider range of choice for Presidency or at parliamentary level.Thank you and sorry for the delay during the interview.Thank you for your time too Mr. Darboe and sorry for nagging you all this time for answers and disrupting you frequently with your busy schedule.My pleasure.Thanks again Mr Ousainu for your time. Forgive me if am brash. I just want a very factual and candid interview for Maafanta readers, your fans, supporters and Gambians at large.Thank you for the interview. I appreciate your desire to be factual and candid. I hope I have been able to assist you achieve your objective. Ramadan Mubarak to all your readers.
Friday 3 September 2010
UDP-Sweden to be announce soon
We are glad to summarily announce that, more educated, dynamic young Gambians in diaspora are joining the UDP. The new Sweden Chapter to be announce shortly.
BBC Interviewed The UDP Leader on Jammeh's lavish birth day party
The BBC asked the UDP leader to describe President Jammeh:
Ousainou said “people are getting poorer. The basic things are expensive. The president is very difficult to describe. He will extol democratic values but acts contrary to it."
When ask whether it is safe to criticise the president: Ousainou Darboe said “if we all keep quiet, the situation will get even worst. There are consiquencies of taking on leaders like him, but it has to be done."
When asked whether he has lost hope for the Gambia:
He said, "I have never lost hope for the Gambia. The Jammeh rule is phase the country is going through.”
Ousainou said “people are getting poorer. The basic things are expensive. The president is very difficult to describe. He will extol democratic values but acts contrary to it."
When ask whether it is safe to criticise the president: Ousainou Darboe said “if we all keep quiet, the situation will get even worst. There are consiquencies of taking on leaders like him, but it has to be done."
When asked whether he has lost hope for the Gambia:
He said, "I have never lost hope for the Gambia. The Jammeh rule is phase the country is going through.”
UDP Country Tour 2010
Some UDP Executive members went on a familirisation tour of the country last months. Nyglle Nyassi visited all parts of the country.
Veteran politician Dembo Byforce also visited some areas. The receptions was fantastic.
UDP for the future.
Veteran politician Dembo Byforce also visited some areas. The receptions was fantastic.
UDP for the future.
UDP-U.K Final Remark on the NADD Debate
UDP-UK’s Rejoinder: Let’s draw lesson from NADD and move on to address the demands for democratic change.
The Executive Committee of the United Democratic Party [UK Chapter] has reviewed PDOIS’s Public Notice of 15th August 2010 and noticed that PDOIS didn’t disagree with our position that NADD was designed to be an alliance as per the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] that established it. They, in fact, implicitly agreed with us in that respect by way of repeated reference to NADD as an alliance. We therefore consider that aspect of our dispute resolved. The question that now arises is this; can an alliance be registered under our electoral laws for the purpose of contesting and sponsoring candidates in public elections? The answer is a definite no. We have explained how Section 60 of the Constitution prohibits any such venture from taking place and therefore do not need to repeat that. We have also explained how NADD came to be registered as a political party. We do not need to repeat that too. People can refer to our Press Release of 31st July 2010 for background information.
PDOIS have stated that the symbols prescribed under article 16 of the MOU, i.e. colour, emblem and motto, are instruments of registration and therefore meant that NADD was supposed to be registered. This argument is untenable. As was previously stated, Article 16 does not stand alone and therefore cannot be interpreted in this way. It forms part of a broad instrument the context of which has been clearly defined and established by the preamble and Article 1 of the MOU as an alliance. By virtue of the restriction exhibited by Section 60 of the Constitution, and in the light of the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Hon. Halifa Sallah & Others v. The Clerk of the National Assembly [2005], alliances cannot be registered under our electoral laws for the purpose of contesting and sponsoring candidates in public elections. That is why NADD was deemed as a political party when it registered with the Independent Electoral Commission. How Halifa Sallah was able to say ‘‘the registration was a constitutional requirement’’ is beyond imagination. This is what Section 60 states;
‘‘No association, other than a political party registered under or pursuant of an Act of the National Assembly, shall sponsor candidates in public elections.’’
Halifa also stated that the IEC has powers to make rules for the registration of alliances but did not cite any statutory or constitutional authority to support this. Nonetheless and even if this is the case, any such rules can only take the form of a Bye-law and would become obsolete under Section 4 to the extent of its inconsistency with Section 60 of the constitution. Therefore, this would not have given NADD any legal standing whatsoever, to sponsor candidates in public elections as an alliance. This is what Section 4 states;
‘‘This constitution is the supreme law of the Gambia and any law found to be inconsistent with any provision of this constitution shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.’’
We did not state that Halifa Sallah was in the Gambia when registration papers were being submitted to the IEC. Our position is that this was done by a Halifa Sallah aide with delegated authority from Halifa Sallah. It is therefore a complete gimmick that PDOIS chose to remind us about Halifa’s where about on that faithful day. We do not need to be reminded for we know exactly where he was.
If there was a working veto in NADD, Mr. Hassan Musa Camara, the then Chairman, would not have found the need to personally intervene to stop the registration from going ahead, after being briefed on the legal ramifications by a member party, only to discover that it has already been carried-out. Mr. Lamin Waa Juwara too would not have walked out of NADD after disagreement with Halifa and PDOIS over the decision to leave NADD without a leader for two years.
We Agree with PDOIS
We agree with PDOIS that the exchange of angry invectives between opposition parties and supporters is counter-productive and could lead to voters becoming apathetic. It is for this very reason that no other opposition leader has deemed it necessary or appropriate to respond to Halifa Sallah’s persistent invectives over the NADD debacle. Now that the PDOIS party recognises this as counter-productive, we hope that also means a complete end to this chapter.
UDP-UK now considers this matter closed and would from henceforth, make no further comment on this issue subject to the condition that PDOIS too reciprocate this by sticking to their words and never renege on them. That way, we can all turn our focus on the APRC and complement, collaborate or even coalese in the process. This is what the conventional wisdom has asked for.
We once again urge all Gambians and opposition parties in The Gambia to be united and rally behind the main opposition United Democratic Party for a peaceful democratic change in 2011, and together we will not only change a government but a political system. This is not about helping somebody to become an elite but a necessity to rescue The Gambia from her present predicament.
THE END.
Issued by: United Democratic Party [UK Chapter]
Signed and Delivered by: SS Daffeh, Secretary-General
The Executive Committee of the United Democratic Party [UK Chapter] has reviewed PDOIS’s Public Notice of 15th August 2010 and noticed that PDOIS didn’t disagree with our position that NADD was designed to be an alliance as per the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] that established it. They, in fact, implicitly agreed with us in that respect by way of repeated reference to NADD as an alliance. We therefore consider that aspect of our dispute resolved. The question that now arises is this; can an alliance be registered under our electoral laws for the purpose of contesting and sponsoring candidates in public elections? The answer is a definite no. We have explained how Section 60 of the Constitution prohibits any such venture from taking place and therefore do not need to repeat that. We have also explained how NADD came to be registered as a political party. We do not need to repeat that too. People can refer to our Press Release of 31st July 2010 for background information.
PDOIS have stated that the symbols prescribed under article 16 of the MOU, i.e. colour, emblem and motto, are instruments of registration and therefore meant that NADD was supposed to be registered. This argument is untenable. As was previously stated, Article 16 does not stand alone and therefore cannot be interpreted in this way. It forms part of a broad instrument the context of which has been clearly defined and established by the preamble and Article 1 of the MOU as an alliance. By virtue of the restriction exhibited by Section 60 of the Constitution, and in the light of the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Hon. Halifa Sallah & Others v. The Clerk of the National Assembly [2005], alliances cannot be registered under our electoral laws for the purpose of contesting and sponsoring candidates in public elections. That is why NADD was deemed as a political party when it registered with the Independent Electoral Commission. How Halifa Sallah was able to say ‘‘the registration was a constitutional requirement’’ is beyond imagination. This is what Section 60 states;
‘‘No association, other than a political party registered under or pursuant of an Act of the National Assembly, shall sponsor candidates in public elections.’’
Halifa also stated that the IEC has powers to make rules for the registration of alliances but did not cite any statutory or constitutional authority to support this. Nonetheless and even if this is the case, any such rules can only take the form of a Bye-law and would become obsolete under Section 4 to the extent of its inconsistency with Section 60 of the constitution. Therefore, this would not have given NADD any legal standing whatsoever, to sponsor candidates in public elections as an alliance. This is what Section 4 states;
‘‘This constitution is the supreme law of the Gambia and any law found to be inconsistent with any provision of this constitution shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.’’
We did not state that Halifa Sallah was in the Gambia when registration papers were being submitted to the IEC. Our position is that this was done by a Halifa Sallah aide with delegated authority from Halifa Sallah. It is therefore a complete gimmick that PDOIS chose to remind us about Halifa’s where about on that faithful day. We do not need to be reminded for we know exactly where he was.
If there was a working veto in NADD, Mr. Hassan Musa Camara, the then Chairman, would not have found the need to personally intervene to stop the registration from going ahead, after being briefed on the legal ramifications by a member party, only to discover that it has already been carried-out. Mr. Lamin Waa Juwara too would not have walked out of NADD after disagreement with Halifa and PDOIS over the decision to leave NADD without a leader for two years.
We Agree with PDOIS
We agree with PDOIS that the exchange of angry invectives between opposition parties and supporters is counter-productive and could lead to voters becoming apathetic. It is for this very reason that no other opposition leader has deemed it necessary or appropriate to respond to Halifa Sallah’s persistent invectives over the NADD debacle. Now that the PDOIS party recognises this as counter-productive, we hope that also means a complete end to this chapter.
UDP-UK now considers this matter closed and would from henceforth, make no further comment on this issue subject to the condition that PDOIS too reciprocate this by sticking to their words and never renege on them. That way, we can all turn our focus on the APRC and complement, collaborate or even coalese in the process. This is what the conventional wisdom has asked for.
We once again urge all Gambians and opposition parties in The Gambia to be united and rally behind the main opposition United Democratic Party for a peaceful democratic change in 2011, and together we will not only change a government but a political system. This is not about helping somebody to become an elite but a necessity to rescue The Gambia from her present predicament.
THE END.
Issued by: United Democratic Party [UK Chapter]
Signed and Delivered by: SS Daffeh, Secretary-General
Monday 30 August 2010
UDP-UK's Rejoinder to PDOIS
The Executive Committee of the United Democratic Party [UK Chapter] has reviewed PDOIS’s Public Notice of 15th August 2010 and noticed that PDOIS didn’t disagree with our position that NADD was designed to be an alliance as per the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] that established it. They, in fact, implicitly agreed with us in that respect by way of repeated reference to NADD as an alliance. We therefore consider that aspect of our dispute resolved. The question that now arises is this; can an alliance be registered under our electoral laws for the purpose of contesting and sponsoring candidates in public elections? The answer is a definite no. We have explained how Section 60 of the Constitution prohibits any such venture from taking place and therefore do not need to repeat that. We have also explained how NADD came to be registered as a political party. We do not need to repeat that too. People can refer to our Press Release of 31st July 2010 for background information.
PDOIS have stated that the symbols prescribed under article 16 of the MOU, i.e. colour, emblem and motto, are instruments of registration and therefore meant that NADD was supposed to be registered. This argument is untenable. As was previously stated, Article 16 does not stand alone and therefore cannot be interpreted in this way. It forms part of a broad instrument the context of which has been clearly defined and established by the preamble and Article 1 of the MOU as an alliance. By virtue of the restriction exhibited by Section 60 of the Constitution, and in the light of the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Hon. Halifa Sallah & Others v. The Clerk of the National Assembly [2005], alliances cannot be registered under our electoral laws for the purpose of contesting and sponsoring candidates in public elections. That is why NADD was deemed as a political party when it registered with the Independent Electoral Commission. How Halifa Sallah was able to say ‘‘the registration was a constitutional requirement’’ is beyond imagination. This is what Section 60 states;
‘‘No association, other than a political party registered under or pursuant of an Act of the National Assembly, shall sponsor candidates in public elections.’’
Halifa also stated that the IEC has powers to make rules for the registration of alliances but did not cite any statutory or constitutional authority to support this. Nonetheless and even if this is the case, any such rules can only take the form of a Bye-law and would become obsolete under Section 4 to the extent of its inconsistency with Section 60 of the constitution. Therefore, this would not have given NADD any legal standing whatsoever, to sponsor candidates in public elections as an alliance. This is what Section 4 states;
‘‘This constitution is the supreme law of the Gambia and any law found to be inconsistent with any provision of this constitution shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.’’
We did not state that Halifa Sallah was in the Gambia when registration papers were being submitted to the IEC. Our position is that this was done by a Halifa Sallah aide with delegated authority from Halifa Sallah. It is therefore a complete gimmick that PDOIS chose to remind us about Halifa’s where about on that faithful day. We do not need to be reminded for we know exactly where he was.
If there was a working veto in NADD, Mr. Hassan Musa Camara, the then Chairman, would not have found the need to personally intervene to stop the registration from going ahead, after being briefed on the legal ramifications by a member party, only to discover that it has already been carried-out. Mr. Lamin Waa Juwara too would not have walked out of NADD after disagreement with Halifa and PDOIS over the decision to leave NADD without a leader for two years.
We Agree with PDOIS
We agree with PDOIS that the exchange of angry invectives between opposition parties and supporters is counter-productive and could lead to voters becoming apathetic. It is for this very reason that no other opposition leader has deemed it necessary or appropriate to respond to Halifa Sallah’s persistent invectives over the NADD debacle. Now that the PDOIS party recognises this as counter-productive, we hope that also means a complete end to this chapter.
UDP-UK now considers this matter close and would from henceforth, make no further comment on this issue subject to the condition that PDOIS too reciprocate this by sticking to their words and never renege on them. That way, we can all turn our focus on the APRC and complement, collaborate or even coalese in the process. This is what the conventional wisdom has asked for.
We once again urge all Gambians and opposition parties in The Gambia to be united and rally behind the main opposition United Democratic Party for a peaceful democratic change in 2011, and together we will not only change a government but a political system. This is not about helping somebody to become an elite but a necessity to rescue The Gambia from her present predicament.
THE END.
Issued by: United Democratic Party [UK Chapter]
Signed and Delivered by: SS Daffeh, Secretary-General
PDOIS have stated that the symbols prescribed under article 16 of the MOU, i.e. colour, emblem and motto, are instruments of registration and therefore meant that NADD was supposed to be registered. This argument is untenable. As was previously stated, Article 16 does not stand alone and therefore cannot be interpreted in this way. It forms part of a broad instrument the context of which has been clearly defined and established by the preamble and Article 1 of the MOU as an alliance. By virtue of the restriction exhibited by Section 60 of the Constitution, and in the light of the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Hon. Halifa Sallah & Others v. The Clerk of the National Assembly [2005], alliances cannot be registered under our electoral laws for the purpose of contesting and sponsoring candidates in public elections. That is why NADD was deemed as a political party when it registered with the Independent Electoral Commission. How Halifa Sallah was able to say ‘‘the registration was a constitutional requirement’’ is beyond imagination. This is what Section 60 states;
‘‘No association, other than a political party registered under or pursuant of an Act of the National Assembly, shall sponsor candidates in public elections.’’
Halifa also stated that the IEC has powers to make rules for the registration of alliances but did not cite any statutory or constitutional authority to support this. Nonetheless and even if this is the case, any such rules can only take the form of a Bye-law and would become obsolete under Section 4 to the extent of its inconsistency with Section 60 of the constitution. Therefore, this would not have given NADD any legal standing whatsoever, to sponsor candidates in public elections as an alliance. This is what Section 4 states;
‘‘This constitution is the supreme law of the Gambia and any law found to be inconsistent with any provision of this constitution shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.’’
We did not state that Halifa Sallah was in the Gambia when registration papers were being submitted to the IEC. Our position is that this was done by a Halifa Sallah aide with delegated authority from Halifa Sallah. It is therefore a complete gimmick that PDOIS chose to remind us about Halifa’s where about on that faithful day. We do not need to be reminded for we know exactly where he was.
If there was a working veto in NADD, Mr. Hassan Musa Camara, the then Chairman, would not have found the need to personally intervene to stop the registration from going ahead, after being briefed on the legal ramifications by a member party, only to discover that it has already been carried-out. Mr. Lamin Waa Juwara too would not have walked out of NADD after disagreement with Halifa and PDOIS over the decision to leave NADD without a leader for two years.
We Agree with PDOIS
We agree with PDOIS that the exchange of angry invectives between opposition parties and supporters is counter-productive and could lead to voters becoming apathetic. It is for this very reason that no other opposition leader has deemed it necessary or appropriate to respond to Halifa Sallah’s persistent invectives over the NADD debacle. Now that the PDOIS party recognises this as counter-productive, we hope that also means a complete end to this chapter.
UDP-UK now considers this matter close and would from henceforth, make no further comment on this issue subject to the condition that PDOIS too reciprocate this by sticking to their words and never renege on them. That way, we can all turn our focus on the APRC and complement, collaborate or even coalese in the process. This is what the conventional wisdom has asked for.
We once again urge all Gambians and opposition parties in The Gambia to be united and rally behind the main opposition United Democratic Party for a peaceful democratic change in 2011, and together we will not only change a government but a political system. This is not about helping somebody to become an elite but a necessity to rescue The Gambia from her present predicament.
THE END.
Issued by: United Democratic Party [UK Chapter]
Signed and Delivered by: SS Daffeh, Secretary-General
Friday 6 August 2010
Justice denied for Femi Peters. The criminal Nigerian Judge
Breaking News: Gambia: FEMI PETERS’S APPEAL DISMISSED!
FEMI PETERS’S APPEAL DISMISSED
APPEAL Denied By Amadi Justice Amadi Invokes Lower Court’s Decision To Justify His Ruling
Reporter Bakary Gibba & Pa Nderry M’Bai
Email: panderrymbai@gmail.com
Tel# 0011-919-749-6319
Opposition members anticipation to have one of their leading officials Femi Peters, freed by the high court in Banjul, were dashed way on Thursday, when presiding judge Justice Emanuel Amadi, dismissed an appeal filed by the leader of the United Democratic Party, and also a veteran human rights lawyer Ousainanou Darboe. Justice Amadi’s decision to throw away the opposition’s appeal—challenging the decision of the lower court to jail its official for one year in prison, sent a shocking waves among family members, and UDP supporters here, the Freedom Newspaper can report.
The verdict marks an end to weeks of legal wrangling, in which the opposition UDP, under the leadership of Ousainanou Numou Kunda Darboe, contested magistrate Kayode’s decision to jail Femi Peters. The UDP in a court deposition contends that the trial magistrate erred in law by jailing peters without giving due regards to the constitution, which the appellants said embraces free assembly and speech. The party’s leadership also advanced numerous arguments to justice the appeal, but high court judge Justice Amadi ruled that the opposition’s grounds of appeal lacks merit. Justice Amadi invoked the decision of the lower court as a basis for his decision to dismiss the appeal. He ruled that Mr. Darboe’s arguments were untenable and consequently dismissed the appeal in its entirety.
An angry looking Lawyer Darboe, hurriedly walked out of court shortly after the verdict was handed—amid a handful of distressed party supporters who showed up in court to register solidarity with their jailed leader. Mr. Darboe uttered no word in court. He left the building with a heavy heart.
Dressed in a black suit, and a white shirt, a confident looking Femi Peters was escorted back to prison by armed paramilitary and prison wardens. Mr. Peters has so far served four months in prison. He was jailed on April 1 by the Kanifing magistrates court.
Femi Peters earlier arrived in court with the jailed former police chief Essa Badjie, and other state detainees, who were put on board a mini prison truck. There is no information yet as to whether he would appeal the decision of the high court. He has 14 days to file an appeal with The Gambia Court of Appeal. If his second appeal bid emerged unsuccessful, Peters could as well file an appeal to the Supreme Court, which his last hope on his quest for legal freedom.
FEMI PETERS’S APPEAL DISMISSED
APPEAL Denied By Amadi Justice Amadi Invokes Lower Court’s Decision To Justify His Ruling
Reporter Bakary Gibba & Pa Nderry M’Bai
Email: panderrymbai@gmail.com
Tel# 0011-919-749-6319
Opposition members anticipation to have one of their leading officials Femi Peters, freed by the high court in Banjul, were dashed way on Thursday, when presiding judge Justice Emanuel Amadi, dismissed an appeal filed by the leader of the United Democratic Party, and also a veteran human rights lawyer Ousainanou Darboe. Justice Amadi’s decision to throw away the opposition’s appeal—challenging the decision of the lower court to jail its official for one year in prison, sent a shocking waves among family members, and UDP supporters here, the Freedom Newspaper can report.
The verdict marks an end to weeks of legal wrangling, in which the opposition UDP, under the leadership of Ousainanou Numou Kunda Darboe, contested magistrate Kayode’s decision to jail Femi Peters. The UDP in a court deposition contends that the trial magistrate erred in law by jailing peters without giving due regards to the constitution, which the appellants said embraces free assembly and speech. The party’s leadership also advanced numerous arguments to justice the appeal, but high court judge Justice Amadi ruled that the opposition’s grounds of appeal lacks merit. Justice Amadi invoked the decision of the lower court as a basis for his decision to dismiss the appeal. He ruled that Mr. Darboe’s arguments were untenable and consequently dismissed the appeal in its entirety.
An angry looking Lawyer Darboe, hurriedly walked out of court shortly after the verdict was handed—amid a handful of distressed party supporters who showed up in court to register solidarity with their jailed leader. Mr. Darboe uttered no word in court. He left the building with a heavy heart.
Dressed in a black suit, and a white shirt, a confident looking Femi Peters was escorted back to prison by armed paramilitary and prison wardens. Mr. Peters has so far served four months in prison. He was jailed on April 1 by the Kanifing magistrates court.
Femi Peters earlier arrived in court with the jailed former police chief Essa Badjie, and other state detainees, who were put on board a mini prison truck. There is no information yet as to whether he would appeal the decision of the high court. He has 14 days to file an appeal with The Gambia Court of Appeal. If his second appeal bid emerged unsuccessful, Peters could as well file an appeal to the Supreme Court, which his last hope on his quest for legal freedom.
Wednesday 4 August 2010
Press Release:- UDP/U.K's Response to Halifa Sallah's Press Statements
On the 26th June 2010, the spokesperson of PDOIS and former flag bearer of the National Alliance for Democracy and
Development [NADD], Mr. Halifa Sallah, in a response to the UDP leader’s statement to the recently concluded Jarra
Soma Congress, that the registration of NADD as a political party was a disaster, issued a press release stating that the
registration was a constitutional requirement. He cited section 60 of the Constitution to back his claim. The United
Democratic Party [UK Chapter] dismisses this statement as irresponsible, deceitful and utterly lacking basis. This is a
statement that hitherto formed part of a desperate attempt to distort facts and hoodwink the Gambian public on the
subject of what actually led to the collapse of NADD the alliance but which has now turned into a complete farce. Here
are the facts;
In the preamble of the Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] that established NADD, the signatory parties including
PDOIS indicated a clear and expressed will to establish an alliance. The opening words of the preamble are as follows;
‘‘We, the undersigned representatives of opposition political parties who seek to establish an alliance.......’’
The signatory parties further went on to explicitly declare, under Article 1 of the same MOU, the establishment of an
alliance called NADD. This is what Article 1 states;
‘‘An alliance is hereby established. The name of the alliance is National Alliance for Democracy and Development with
the acronym [NADD].’’
All other subsequent provisions of the MOU also went on to either describe or made reference to NADD, explicitly, as an
alliance. There is no single reference to it as a political party or a merger in the entire MOU, not even by the provisions
which Halifa sought to rely on i.e. Articles 8 and 16. In fact, both Articles 8 and 16 have made explicit reference to NADD
as an alliance. The opening words of Article 8 are as follows;
‘‘The selection of the candidate of the alliance.........’’
Those of Article 16 are as follows;
‘‘The alliance shall have.......’’
It is therefore explicitly and crystal clear that NADD was established as an alliance. This is beyond questioning as it is an
incontrovertible fact.
Why was NADD Registered as Political Party then
Two conflicting statement have been advanced by Halifa as to the true status of NADD prior to the withdrawals of the
UDP and NRP. In paragraph 12 of his press release, he stated that NADD was established as a party but went on to
claim in paragraph 13 of the same release that NADD is a merger. These are contradictory and irreconcilable positions,
and it clearly shows that Halifa was either being disingenuous or he is totally confused as to what was actually envisaged
by the MOU that established NADD.
The constitution does not speak in the language of an ‘‘umbrella party’’ hence, our decision to avoid using that phrase
all together. We have therefore chosen to focus on setting the records straight in the light of what was envisaged in
NADD’s MOU vis-a- vis the relevant constitutional provisions.
Halifa has posited that by virtue of Articles 8 and 16 of the MOU, it is a requirement that NADD put up candidates in its
own right and under its own banner. However and without prejudice to this claim, there is no explicit postulation of this
under either Article. Article 8 is more concerned with selection process rather than anything else, while Article 16 talks
about symbols. This is what Article 8 states;
‘‘The selection of the candidate of the alliance for the presidential, National Assembly and Council elections shall be
done by consensus; provided that in the event of an impasse section shall be done by holding a primary election
restricted to party delegates on the basis of equal number of delegates, comprising the chairman, chairwoman and
youth leader of each party from each village/ward in a constituency.’’
Article 16 states the following;
‘‘The alliance shall have an emblem, colour, motto and symbol to be determined within one month of the coming into
force of the agreement with the full participation of supporters and sympathizers.’’
It is to be noted that both Articles 8 and 16 do not stand alone but form part of a broad instrument, the context of which
has been well defined by the preamble. It therefore follows that whatever inference is made into or can be deduced from
the wordings of Articles 8 and 16 combined, it cannot be deemed to have somehow rendered the explicit terms of the
MOU obsolete or having taken precedence over them, - that would not only be outlandish and perverse but also
inconceivable- but must be construed in the light of the expressions and explicit declarations made under the preamble
and Article 1 which provide the cornerstones of the MOU that established NADD.
Under Section 60 of the Constitution, only a political party can sponsor candidates in its own right and under its own
name in any given election. Therefore, even if the status of NADD is that of a merger as posited by Halifa, it would still
be impossible, constitutionally, for it to put up candidates under its own name in any given election. This is what Section
60 states;
‘‘No association, other than a political party registered under or pursuant of an Act of the National Assembly, shall
sponsor candidates in public elections.’’
Given that NADD was established, explicitly, as an alliance, the effect of Section 60 also meant that the inference Halifa
has been making into or purportedly deducing from Articles 8 and 16 combined could not have been enforceable
without having to re-write the MOU all together. In other words and given that Articles 8 and 16 provisions were
promulgated in the context of an alliance, NADD could not sponsor candidates under its own name while still maintaining
the status of an alliance. It is therefore not a constitutional requirement that NADD be registered with the Independent
Electoral Commission but rather a constitutional inhibition that it [NADD] could not put up candidates in its own right and
under its own name while still operating within the frame work of the MOU that established it. If Halifa had not arrogantly
rejected UDP’s advice that NADD appoints an independent lawyer to guide and advice the alliance on constitutional
matters, he would have been better advised on this point.
Section 60 of the constitution had undoubtedly posed a challenge to NADD. It presented them with two options; they
could either re-negotiate the terms of the MOU and transform the alliance into a registered political party should they
desire to contest and put up candidates under NADD ticket; or they can leave it as it is and choose one of its constituent
parties as a vanguard under whose name the alliance would sponsor a candidate in the presidential election. Under
Article 10 of the MOU, it would have required the unanimous agreement of all constituent parties for any of the two
options to be adopted. This is what Article 10 states;
‘‘Decision making at all levels of the committees of the alliance shall be based on the principle of unanimity provided that
matters of procedure shall be determined on the basis of simple majority of the delegates present and voting. In the
event of the need to break an impasse the delegates may agree unanimously to make a decision by consensus.’’
As the coordinator of the alliance, it was Halifa’s responsibility to seek a unanimous agreement as to which path to take.
However, since PDOIS has it as an entrenched position right from the onset, not to play a second fiddle to the UDP and
its leader, Halifa decided it was best for him to blatantly circumvent the MOU, and instructed one of his flunkies to
wittingly register NADD as a political party without the unanimous agreement of the signatory parties, and despite strong
opposition from the UDP. This is how NADD was turned into a political party, and it is the turning point that marked the
beginning of the collapse of NADD the alliance. That is why the UDP leader described it as a ‘disaster’.
It has been suggested in some quarters that the registration of NADD might not have been a significant factor in its
disintegration since there was a time lapse between the registration and the withdrawal of the UDP and NRP from the
organisation. This is ludicrous. Shortly after it became clear that NADD was registered as a political party, the UDP
leader informed its executive [NADD’s executive] that he would consider his position within the organisation in the light of
the new development. The decision to withdraw required a process that had to be exhausted with all relevant factors
and issues including subsequent ones, examined before a final decision could be made. Thus, what was of essence to
the UDP was making the right decision, and indeed they have done that and at the right time.
The Supreme Court Judgement
It has long been an established fact that NADD lose parliamentary seats as a result of its registration with the
Independent Electoral Commission which the Supreme Court deemed as amounting to registering a political party.
Hence the Supreme Court’s determination that by virtue of section 91 of the Constitution, the concerned
parliamentarians could not remain members of the National Assembly while belonging to two distinct and independent
sovereign political parties at the same time; their original parties on one hand and NADD the other. This is now case
settled law. However, if Halifa has issues with this, then the best forum for addressing such issues is the Supreme Court,
not the media. Under Section 127 of the Constitution, only the Supreme Court has the jurisdictional competency to hear
such matters.
This is what Section 127 states;
‘‘The Supreme Court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction for the interpretation or enforcement of this constitution
other than any provision of sections 18-33 or Section 36[5] which relate to fundamental rights and freedoms.’’
Under Section 5 of the Constitution, there is an unrestricted standing-no need to show sufficient interest- for ‘‘anybody
who alleges that an Act of the National Assembly or anything done under its authority, or any act or omission of any
person or authority is inconsistent with or is in contravention of a provision of the constitution to bring an action in a
court of competent jurisdiction for a declaration to that effect.’’ Therefore, if Halifa is really interested in clarifying the
position of the law on this issue rather than mere political posturing, he should either file an appeal at the Supreme
Court on behalf of NADD or make a fresh application in his own right and prove his point. We look forward to seeing him
arguing his case in the Supreme Court, and we hope this will be done sooner rather than later.
Halifa’s assertion that NADD is a merger because the Independent Electoral Commission had conceived it as such is
utterly frivolous and unintelligent. The IEC may be entitled to form an opinion of their own but they are certainly not the
custodian of the law. They too are subject to the law just like anybody else.
Under Section 60 of the Constitution, only registered political parties are able to sponsor candidates in a public election.
Hence, the IEC could not have registered NADD as a merger for the purpose of contesting and sponsoring candidates
in public elections. It follows therefore that the only way NADD could have made a valid registration with the IEC for the
purpose of contesting and sponsoring candidates in public elections is to be registered as a political party and be
deemed as such by law. As a matter of a point worth reiterating, the MOU that established NADD had envisaged the
establishment of an alliance, not a political party.
The United Democratic Party [UK Chapter] urges every Gambian to be mindful of certain opposition elements who are
hell bent on stoking controversy and division among opposition supporters thereby aiding President Jammeh’s politics.
As the 2011/12 election cycle approaches, we urge all Gambians to be united and rally behind the main opposition
United Democratic Party under the resolute leadership of Alhagi Ousainou Darboe, and face the 2011 presidential
election with determination, unity of purpose and a sense of duty to our beloved country, the Gambia.
THE END.
Issued by: The Executive Committee, United Democratic Party [UK Chapter]
Signed and Delivered by: SS Daffeh, Secretary- General
Development [NADD], Mr. Halifa Sallah, in a response to the UDP leader’s statement to the recently concluded Jarra
Soma Congress, that the registration of NADD as a political party was a disaster, issued a press release stating that the
registration was a constitutional requirement. He cited section 60 of the Constitution to back his claim. The United
Democratic Party [UK Chapter] dismisses this statement as irresponsible, deceitful and utterly lacking basis. This is a
statement that hitherto formed part of a desperate attempt to distort facts and hoodwink the Gambian public on the
subject of what actually led to the collapse of NADD the alliance but which has now turned into a complete farce. Here
are the facts;
In the preamble of the Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] that established NADD, the signatory parties including
PDOIS indicated a clear and expressed will to establish an alliance. The opening words of the preamble are as follows;
‘‘We, the undersigned representatives of opposition political parties who seek to establish an alliance.......’’
The signatory parties further went on to explicitly declare, under Article 1 of the same MOU, the establishment of an
alliance called NADD. This is what Article 1 states;
‘‘An alliance is hereby established. The name of the alliance is National Alliance for Democracy and Development with
the acronym [NADD].’’
All other subsequent provisions of the MOU also went on to either describe or made reference to NADD, explicitly, as an
alliance. There is no single reference to it as a political party or a merger in the entire MOU, not even by the provisions
which Halifa sought to rely on i.e. Articles 8 and 16. In fact, both Articles 8 and 16 have made explicit reference to NADD
as an alliance. The opening words of Article 8 are as follows;
‘‘The selection of the candidate of the alliance.........’’
Those of Article 16 are as follows;
‘‘The alliance shall have.......’’
It is therefore explicitly and crystal clear that NADD was established as an alliance. This is beyond questioning as it is an
incontrovertible fact.
Why was NADD Registered as Political Party then
Two conflicting statement have been advanced by Halifa as to the true status of NADD prior to the withdrawals of the
UDP and NRP. In paragraph 12 of his press release, he stated that NADD was established as a party but went on to
claim in paragraph 13 of the same release that NADD is a merger. These are contradictory and irreconcilable positions,
and it clearly shows that Halifa was either being disingenuous or he is totally confused as to what was actually envisaged
by the MOU that established NADD.
The constitution does not speak in the language of an ‘‘umbrella party’’ hence, our decision to avoid using that phrase
all together. We have therefore chosen to focus on setting the records straight in the light of what was envisaged in
NADD’s MOU vis-a- vis the relevant constitutional provisions.
Halifa has posited that by virtue of Articles 8 and 16 of the MOU, it is a requirement that NADD put up candidates in its
own right and under its own banner. However and without prejudice to this claim, there is no explicit postulation of this
under either Article. Article 8 is more concerned with selection process rather than anything else, while Article 16 talks
about symbols. This is what Article 8 states;
‘‘The selection of the candidate of the alliance for the presidential, National Assembly and Council elections shall be
done by consensus; provided that in the event of an impasse section shall be done by holding a primary election
restricted to party delegates on the basis of equal number of delegates, comprising the chairman, chairwoman and
youth leader of each party from each village/ward in a constituency.’’
Article 16 states the following;
‘‘The alliance shall have an emblem, colour, motto and symbol to be determined within one month of the coming into
force of the agreement with the full participation of supporters and sympathizers.’’
It is to be noted that both Articles 8 and 16 do not stand alone but form part of a broad instrument, the context of which
has been well defined by the preamble. It therefore follows that whatever inference is made into or can be deduced from
the wordings of Articles 8 and 16 combined, it cannot be deemed to have somehow rendered the explicit terms of the
MOU obsolete or having taken precedence over them, - that would not only be outlandish and perverse but also
inconceivable- but must be construed in the light of the expressions and explicit declarations made under the preamble
and Article 1 which provide the cornerstones of the MOU that established NADD.
Under Section 60 of the Constitution, only a political party can sponsor candidates in its own right and under its own
name in any given election. Therefore, even if the status of NADD is that of a merger as posited by Halifa, it would still
be impossible, constitutionally, for it to put up candidates under its own name in any given election. This is what Section
60 states;
‘‘No association, other than a political party registered under or pursuant of an Act of the National Assembly, shall
sponsor candidates in public elections.’’
Given that NADD was established, explicitly, as an alliance, the effect of Section 60 also meant that the inference Halifa
has been making into or purportedly deducing from Articles 8 and 16 combined could not have been enforceable
without having to re-write the MOU all together. In other words and given that Articles 8 and 16 provisions were
promulgated in the context of an alliance, NADD could not sponsor candidates under its own name while still maintaining
the status of an alliance. It is therefore not a constitutional requirement that NADD be registered with the Independent
Electoral Commission but rather a constitutional inhibition that it [NADD] could not put up candidates in its own right and
under its own name while still operating within the frame work of the MOU that established it. If Halifa had not arrogantly
rejected UDP’s advice that NADD appoints an independent lawyer to guide and advice the alliance on constitutional
matters, he would have been better advised on this point.
Section 60 of the constitution had undoubtedly posed a challenge to NADD. It presented them with two options; they
could either re-negotiate the terms of the MOU and transform the alliance into a registered political party should they
desire to contest and put up candidates under NADD ticket; or they can leave it as it is and choose one of its constituent
parties as a vanguard under whose name the alliance would sponsor a candidate in the presidential election. Under
Article 10 of the MOU, it would have required the unanimous agreement of all constituent parties for any of the two
options to be adopted. This is what Article 10 states;
‘‘Decision making at all levels of the committees of the alliance shall be based on the principle of unanimity provided that
matters of procedure shall be determined on the basis of simple majority of the delegates present and voting. In the
event of the need to break an impasse the delegates may agree unanimously to make a decision by consensus.’’
As the coordinator of the alliance, it was Halifa’s responsibility to seek a unanimous agreement as to which path to take.
However, since PDOIS has it as an entrenched position right from the onset, not to play a second fiddle to the UDP and
its leader, Halifa decided it was best for him to blatantly circumvent the MOU, and instructed one of his flunkies to
wittingly register NADD as a political party without the unanimous agreement of the signatory parties, and despite strong
opposition from the UDP. This is how NADD was turned into a political party, and it is the turning point that marked the
beginning of the collapse of NADD the alliance. That is why the UDP leader described it as a ‘disaster’.
It has been suggested in some quarters that the registration of NADD might not have been a significant factor in its
disintegration since there was a time lapse between the registration and the withdrawal of the UDP and NRP from the
organisation. This is ludicrous. Shortly after it became clear that NADD was registered as a political party, the UDP
leader informed its executive [NADD’s executive] that he would consider his position within the organisation in the light of
the new development. The decision to withdraw required a process that had to be exhausted with all relevant factors
and issues including subsequent ones, examined before a final decision could be made. Thus, what was of essence to
the UDP was making the right decision, and indeed they have done that and at the right time.
The Supreme Court Judgement
It has long been an established fact that NADD lose parliamentary seats as a result of its registration with the
Independent Electoral Commission which the Supreme Court deemed as amounting to registering a political party.
Hence the Supreme Court’s determination that by virtue of section 91 of the Constitution, the concerned
parliamentarians could not remain members of the National Assembly while belonging to two distinct and independent
sovereign political parties at the same time; their original parties on one hand and NADD the other. This is now case
settled law. However, if Halifa has issues with this, then the best forum for addressing such issues is the Supreme Court,
not the media. Under Section 127 of the Constitution, only the Supreme Court has the jurisdictional competency to hear
such matters.
This is what Section 127 states;
‘‘The Supreme Court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction for the interpretation or enforcement of this constitution
other than any provision of sections 18-33 or Section 36[5] which relate to fundamental rights and freedoms.’’
Under Section 5 of the Constitution, there is an unrestricted standing-no need to show sufficient interest- for ‘‘anybody
who alleges that an Act of the National Assembly or anything done under its authority, or any act or omission of any
person or authority is inconsistent with or is in contravention of a provision of the constitution to bring an action in a
court of competent jurisdiction for a declaration to that effect.’’ Therefore, if Halifa is really interested in clarifying the
position of the law on this issue rather than mere political posturing, he should either file an appeal at the Supreme
Court on behalf of NADD or make a fresh application in his own right and prove his point. We look forward to seeing him
arguing his case in the Supreme Court, and we hope this will be done sooner rather than later.
Halifa’s assertion that NADD is a merger because the Independent Electoral Commission had conceived it as such is
utterly frivolous and unintelligent. The IEC may be entitled to form an opinion of their own but they are certainly not the
custodian of the law. They too are subject to the law just like anybody else.
Under Section 60 of the Constitution, only registered political parties are able to sponsor candidates in a public election.
Hence, the IEC could not have registered NADD as a merger for the purpose of contesting and sponsoring candidates
in public elections. It follows therefore that the only way NADD could have made a valid registration with the IEC for the
purpose of contesting and sponsoring candidates in public elections is to be registered as a political party and be
deemed as such by law. As a matter of a point worth reiterating, the MOU that established NADD had envisaged the
establishment of an alliance, not a political party.
The United Democratic Party [UK Chapter] urges every Gambian to be mindful of certain opposition elements who are
hell bent on stoking controversy and division among opposition supporters thereby aiding President Jammeh’s politics.
As the 2011/12 election cycle approaches, we urge all Gambians to be united and rally behind the main opposition
United Democratic Party under the resolute leadership of Alhagi Ousainou Darboe, and face the 2011 presidential
election with determination, unity of purpose and a sense of duty to our beloved country, the Gambia.
THE END.
Issued by: The Executive Committee, United Democratic Party [UK Chapter]
Signed and Delivered by: SS Daffeh, Secretary- General
Monday 21 June 2010
UDP-U.K Receives $1000 (D27, 000) from Haruna Darboe AtlantaOn behalf of the Chairman and the entire UDP-U.K chapter members, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Haruna Darboe for a generous donation to the United Democratic Party.One thousand Dollars is a lot of money to sacrifice for a good cause. The amount is equivalent to D27, 000 (twenty seven thousand dalasis).
We thank Haruna for choosing to transmit the funds through our young Chapter. It will give us immense scope for aiming higher and continue the efforts in working hard towards a stronger UDP and a free Gambia. Haruna’s democratic credentials are there for all to see. His realisation that, politics equals good sources of funding cannot be faulted. Barack Obama’s eloquence alone did not provide him the smooth passage to the American Presidency, but also cumulative contributions of the ranks and files of the American populace.
Haruna alluded to us that, it is because of the UDP-U.K sole donation of a tune of D100, 000 to towards the just concluded Congress that motivated him to add his quota. Today, we have received the funds and the Chairman Mr Kanjura Kanyi wishes us to thank Haruna for his generous contributions.
Although Haruna is not a member of the UDP, his stance towards Gambia’s democratisation always compel him to contribute regularly to Gambia’s political parties. I hope many in the Diaspora can emulate Haruna Darboe by putting their money where it matters. It is not easy to part with hard earned resources; however, politics is not cheap. We are competing against a dictator who has our entire state machinery at his disposal. Yet we take it upon ourselves to barrage the opposition parties without us willing to sacrifice for the cause.
Let us all be formidable stakeholders and contribute to our hard working opposition parties. Whichever party you support, please donate to them; they need your support more than anything. The funds will go a long way in making the rallies and campaign process easier.
The oppositions parties are barred from having air time on the Gambia Radio and Television services. The only best way to disseminate their message is by conducting rallies and visiting Gambians across the country. This duties cost money. Imagine the cost of fuel, car maintenance, food, refreshments, accommodations, emergency health issues and the high legal bills but to name a few.
Finally, we salute you Haruna for the donation. The funds will be remitted to the UDP head office very shortly. The newly elected party Secretary General, Alh. Ousainou Darboe has been notified of your kind donations. He expressed delight and gratitude for the gesture. As customs dictates, we pray that, many more thousands of Dollars replace the amount you sacrificed. You have inspired a lot of people.
Suntou Touray
Coordinator UDP-U.KContact: Gambiaforall@googlemail.com
geovisit();
We thank Haruna for choosing to transmit the funds through our young Chapter. It will give us immense scope for aiming higher and continue the efforts in working hard towards a stronger UDP and a free Gambia. Haruna’s democratic credentials are there for all to see. His realisation that, politics equals good sources of funding cannot be faulted. Barack Obama’s eloquence alone did not provide him the smooth passage to the American Presidency, but also cumulative contributions of the ranks and files of the American populace.
Haruna alluded to us that, it is because of the UDP-U.K sole donation of a tune of D100, 000 to towards the just concluded Congress that motivated him to add his quota. Today, we have received the funds and the Chairman Mr Kanjura Kanyi wishes us to thank Haruna for his generous contributions.
Although Haruna is not a member of the UDP, his stance towards Gambia’s democratisation always compel him to contribute regularly to Gambia’s political parties. I hope many in the Diaspora can emulate Haruna Darboe by putting their money where it matters. It is not easy to part with hard earned resources; however, politics is not cheap. We are competing against a dictator who has our entire state machinery at his disposal. Yet we take it upon ourselves to barrage the opposition parties without us willing to sacrifice for the cause.
Let us all be formidable stakeholders and contribute to our hard working opposition parties. Whichever party you support, please donate to them; they need your support more than anything. The funds will go a long way in making the rallies and campaign process easier.
The oppositions parties are barred from having air time on the Gambia Radio and Television services. The only best way to disseminate their message is by conducting rallies and visiting Gambians across the country. This duties cost money. Imagine the cost of fuel, car maintenance, food, refreshments, accommodations, emergency health issues and the high legal bills but to name a few.
Finally, we salute you Haruna for the donation. The funds will be remitted to the UDP head office very shortly. The newly elected party Secretary General, Alh. Ousainou Darboe has been notified of your kind donations. He expressed delight and gratitude for the gesture. As customs dictates, we pray that, many more thousands of Dollars replace the amount you sacrificed. You have inspired a lot of people.
Suntou Touray
Coordinator UDP-U.KContact: Gambiaforall@googlemail.com
geovisit();
UDP Executive members from June 2010
National Executive members elected at the UDP Congress in Jarra Soma, Lower River Region22nd & 23rd June, 2010,-
National President – Dembo Bojang ( By Force)-
Secretary General & Party Leader – Ousainou Darboe
Deputy Secretary General & Deputy Party Leader- Yaya Jallow-
Senior Administrative Secretary – Ebraima Manneh-
Administrative Secretary, Legal & Human Rights Affairs- Mariem Denton-
Administrative Secretary, Foreign Affairs – Femi Peters-
Administrative Secretary, Economic & Financial Affairs - Amadou Sanneh-
Campaign Manager – Lamin Dibba-
Honorary Life President, Female Wing – Aji Jambanding Drammeh-
National President, Female Wing – Aji Sukaina Kah-
First Vice President, Female Wing - Aji Adama Jallow-
Second Vice President, Female Wing - Aji Isatou Sey-
Secretary Women’s Wing - Aji Mariama Secka-
President, Youth Wing – Ousman Rambo Jatta-
Secretary Youth Wing – Solo Sandeng-
President, Female Youth Wing – Fatoumata Jawara-
Secretary, Female Youth Wing – Ndey Marong
Five others to be appointed by the Secretary General
National President – Dembo Bojang ( By Force)-
Secretary General & Party Leader – Ousainou Darboe
Deputy Secretary General & Deputy Party Leader- Yaya Jallow-
Senior Administrative Secretary – Ebraima Manneh-
Administrative Secretary, Legal & Human Rights Affairs- Mariem Denton-
Administrative Secretary, Foreign Affairs – Femi Peters-
Administrative Secretary, Economic & Financial Affairs - Amadou Sanneh-
Campaign Manager – Lamin Dibba-
Honorary Life President, Female Wing – Aji Jambanding Drammeh-
National President, Female Wing – Aji Sukaina Kah-
First Vice President, Female Wing - Aji Adama Jallow-
Second Vice President, Female Wing - Aji Isatou Sey-
Secretary Women’s Wing - Aji Mariama Secka-
President, Youth Wing – Ousman Rambo Jatta-
Secretary Youth Wing – Solo Sandeng-
President, Female Youth Wing – Fatoumata Jawara-
Secretary, Female Youth Wing – Ndey Marong
Five others to be appointed by the Secretary General
Monday 14 June 2010
UDP-U.K Donates D100,000 To UDP Main Body
Dear All,I am happy to confirm that UDP-UK has contributed D100, 000 towards the 11th-13th June 2010 UDP Jarra Soma Congress. We are expecting an acknowledgement letter from the party's Secretariat soon, a copy of which will be sent to all members and interested persons as soon as possible.
I would also like to seize this opportunity to thank all those who have contributed to this fund, and I urge you all to keep it coming and encourage many more people to do the same. Well-done and keep it up.Kind regardsSS DaffehFor and on behalf of the Executive CommitteeUnited Democratic Party [UK Chapter]
I would also like to seize this opportunity to thank all those who have contributed to this fund, and I urge you all to keep it coming and encourage many more people to do the same. Well-done and keep it up.Kind regardsSS DaffehFor and on behalf of the Executive CommitteeUnited Democratic Party [UK Chapter]
Ousainou Darboe interviewed By ML Sillah of GRTS International
http://www.thegambiajournal.com/sambanner/spacialplayer2.php?sid=364
The link above is an interview of the UDP leader. It is an indept conversation.
Ousainou was re-elected as the leader of the UDP on the 13th of June 2010. The interview was based on the Congress held in Soma.
The link above is an interview of the UDP leader. It is an indept conversation.
Ousainou was re-elected as the leader of the UDP on the 13th of June 2010. The interview was based on the Congress held in Soma.
UDP Ousainou Darboe's Congress 2010 Speech
Breaking News: Gambia: The Gambia Is Becoming A Major Cocaine Hub—UDP Leader Tells Congress Attendees
The Gambia Is Becoming A Major Cocaine Hub—UDP Leader Tells Congress Attendees
As UDP Elects Darboe As Party Leader
By Staff Reporter Bakary Gibba, Banjul
“Party militants, it is sad that our country one that we proudly call the Smiling Coast of Africa is fast becoming a major hub in drugs and drug related activities. This is an unfortunate development which washes off on Gambian nationals travelling outside the Gambia. A few days ago, over two tones of hard drugs reportedly worth over one billion dollars (not less than 26 billion dalasi) was seized in this country. What is even more worrying is the discovery of arms when the seizure was carried out. It is stating obvious to say that where trade in drug flourishes violence also flourishes. Unscrupulous people are taking advantage of the weakness in our drug control system as well as the lenient approach of our justice system to this global menace. You and I have a responsibility to protect our country against this menace. This will not be achieved by mere rhetoric’s. We must do more than that,” Lawyer Ousainanou Darboe, leader of Gambia’s main opposition party UDP tells his supporters at the Party’s Congress held in Jarra Soma Saturday. Below is the full statement of the UDP leader.
…………………………………………………………………………..
Mr. Chairman,
Deputy Secretary General
Hon. Hamat Bah, Party Leader, NRP,
Representatives of sister political parties,
Representative of the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission
Distinguished delegates
Invited guests
Ladies and gentlemen
All protocol dully observed
Let me first of all welcome you all to the National congress of the United Democratic Party. This is the second congress we are holding since the founding of the party in 1996. The first congress was held in Brikama in 1998.
As we gather here today, our hearts go to our comrades who were founding members of the party but are no longer with us. Amongst them we remember Pa Kaba Sanneh the first National patron of the party, Pa Sansang Sanneh the second national patron of the party, Sidia Sanyang first senior Administrative Secretary, Ansumana Dibba our first national chairman retired colonel Sam Sillah, second national chairman, Sarjo Kunjang Sanneh, Honourable Abu Karamba Kassama of Badibu Central, Honourable Buba Samura of Kiang East, Sarjo Kunjang Sanneh Brikama Yai Kompin and member of the National Executive, Okuta Thomas, Mba Sally Makalo of Bakau, Haddy Njai of Bakau Sanchaba, Jarai Fatty of Talinding, Alhagi Amba Sey of Basse, Sukuta Jafunneh of Dippa kunda, Horja Ndure and Fatou Secom Secka of Banjul.
The entire membership of the party wish to pay tribute for the immense contribution made by these in keeping alive the struggle for a better and prosperous Gambia.
In the same vein I wish to extend condolences to the Lower River Region Area Committee and to the families of our party officials who passed away since our last congress. We remember Alhagi Fanding Saidyba of Jarra Soma. This great Gambian patriot apart from putting to the disposal of the party his energy and personal wealth donated to the party the land on which this Bureau stands. Yankuba Saidyba the first Chairman for Lower River Region Area Committee, Babucarr Saidyba, the second chairman of the area committee, Labally Ceesay of Toniataba, Aja Mama Kalo Ceesay of Toniataba, Lang Karantaba Drammeh, Chairman Sikunda, Duwa Ceesay of Pakalinding, Tomaring Njie of Sankuya, Lamin Neneh Ceesay of Kiang west, Babanding Jobe of Karantaba, were among several people who held the fortress in Lower River Region but are no longer with us. Their contribution in building the party to what it is today is invaluable. May Allah in his infinite mercy grant them all a peaceful repose and amen.
We are saddened by the absence of two prominent members of our party who have fallen victim to the maneuvers and the illegal activities of the current regime. Mr. Femi Peters our Campaign Manager would have been here today with us had it not been for his conviction and imprisonment by an unjust system applying an unjust law. We miss his towering figure in our midst and hope he will soon be reunited with us and his family.
Mr. Deputy Secretary General and party militants, on Wednesday afternoon I visited Femi Peters in his place of imprisonment. He was the usual Femi Peter we all know and he has asked me to convey to the entire membership of the United Democratic Party his devotion and dedication to commitment to the struggle. And he believes that his imprisonment will not be in vain.
The other official who is not with us today is Kanyiba Kanyi the constituency Secretary for Kombo East who was abducted by National intelligence operatives during the 2006 presidential election campaign and has since not been seen. The party and myself, have done everything possible to get him released but to no avail. His case is a matter of not only national but international concern. The government shamelessly denies having him in its custody even in the face of clear admission by the former Minister of Interior Babucarr Jatta that he ordered Kanyiba Kanji’s and Ousman Jatta alias Rambo's arrest.Aja Jambanding Drammeh the first president of the Women’s Wing sends her sincere greetings and prayers to you all. As most of us know, old age and ill health prevents her from being with us. She has been a pillar in our struggle and we have on several occassions leaned on her shoulder and like the good mother that she had always been carried us to where we are today. We pray for her speedy recovery.
Our first congress was held when the party was young. At the time of the holding of that congress our grass root organization was not as solid as it is now. The party had to embark on establishing and setting up structures at the grass root level. These presented enormous threat to the ruling party and consequently the then Inspector General of Police routinely denied us permits to hold rallies on imaginary security grounds.
The party had resort to court action against the Inspector General of Police. I am pleased to report to you that the court found the conduct of the then Inspector General of Police discriminatory, unjustified and incomplete violation of the constitution. This was a major victory for the party as it was generally believed no institution or person would challenge the excesses of the dictatorship.
Our decision to challenge and bring into focus the unconstitutional behavior of the then Inspector General of Police is in line with the party’s commitment to constitutionalism.
In the same spirit the United Democratic Party challenged the unconstitutional removal of Bishop Teresa Johnson as chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, the purported amendment to some entrenched provisions of the constitution, the failure of the IEC to conduct elections to fill the vacancy in the office of Chieftaincy in Sami District. Currently your party, the UDP, and the NRP are challenging the constitutionality of vesting power in the President to dismiss elected Councilors by dissolving Councils and confining the right to elect Mayors/ Chairmen to only Kanifing Municipality and Banjul City. Let me also mention in passing that I have personally challenged the unlawful and unconstitutional removal of judges and am pleased to say that the challenge has yielded fruit because Government on being served with my summons quickly rescinded the terminations.
The party saw the most ferocious attack to its existence in June 2000. Whilst on a mopping up campaign in Upper River Region some anti-democrats and thugs ambushed our convoy at Chamoi Bridge in Tumana. It is alleged someone lost his life . I and four other supporters of the party stood trial for murder. The trial lasted almost five years. This tragic incident is completely un/Gambian and totally alien to our political landscape. Despite threats to our lives and liberty we were un-deterred in our resolve to pursue the cause of the Gambian people.
In 2001 we lost two of the most admirable, effective and conscientious parliamentarians of the Second Republic– Honorable Abu Karamba Kassama and Honorable Buba Samura-in a tragic motor traffic accident . Their demise has not only caused and still causes some emotional distress to us but also caused some dent in our party support and this is evidenced by our defeat in the Kiang East By-election.
The UDP registered success in its campaign against Decree 89 which prohibited certain political class and groupings from participating in the political life of the country. I do not attribute the repeal of Decree 89 to the efforts of the UDP alone. I am aware that there were others involved in the campaign for the repeal of this Decree. However the role played by the UDP in this matter is not matched by others.
The repeal of Decree 89 led to the creation of the UDP / PPP/GPP alliance to contest 2001 presidential election. The campaign was not smooth. There were interferences by security agents, Seyfolu and commissioners with our various campaign teams. The party and its alliance partners were prevented from holding its last rally that was scheduled in the Kanifing Municipality. Our protestation to the Independent Electoral Commission was not heeded: in fact our protestation fell on the most unsympathetic ear. You party militants will recall that one of our youths was shot at close range in Talinding by a person believed to be a member of the security services. No one has been arrested in connection with this cold blooded murder.
We boycotted the 2002 National assembly elections, a decision for which I take personal responsibility. I regret the decision which was influenced by my trust and confidence in a fellow party member who on 18th December 2001 hailed such decision as a history making event.
Indeed it was a history making event that today no member of the United Democratic Party, particularly me, will be proud of. This so called history making event has seriously retarded our drive towards establishing a true democratic dispensation.
The opportunity to repair the damage brought about by the boycott presented itself to the people of this great constituency, Jarra West. Full advantage of the opportunity was seized by re-electing Kemeseng Jammeh to the National Assembly following the disqualification of the then Majority Leader.
Between the by-election which saw the return of Kemeseng Jammeh to the National Assembly and February 2006 the party did not engage in a lot of political activities. This was due to the long drawn out negotiations for the creation of another alliance to contest the 2006 presidential election. The negotiations resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding establishing the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD).What was conceived to be an alliance of political parties saw itself metamorphous into a registered political entity under the Elections Decree.
The registration of NADD as a political party was devastating. Some members of the UDP including myself resigned from NADD the registered political party and returned home to UDP. The National Reconciliation Party forged an alliance with the UDP and contested the 2006 presidential elections and 2007 National Assembly and Local Government Elections.
Deputy Secretary General and party militants, our activities have not been confined and limited to the Gambia. We have established links with the Socialist International and its youths associate (The International Union of Socialists Youths). Over the years our officers have attended meetings of the parent body in an observer status whilst our youths have fully participated in the meetings of the International Socialists Youths in Denmark, Cameroon, South Africa and Bulgaria to mention a few.
Mr. Deputy Secretary General and party militants, the reasons for the founding of the UDP in 1996 is as valid now as it was then. The regime is as autocratic today as it was 1996.
The constitution has been subjected to amendments that suit the regimes political agenda of self perpetuation. The National Assembly’s role and function as an oversight institution has been greatly diminished because the President has unfettered power to expel from his party any member of the National Assembly. This power which hangs over the head of every APRC National Assembly Member, who constitute the majority, like the sword of Democles, prevents National Assembly from effectively performing its oversight functions.
The public service has lost its neutrality and apolitical image. Public servants particularly those in senior positions are actively engaged in partisan politics. Gambia is the only country where a civil servant is appointed a minister, a purely political office, for a month or two and then redeployed as either a permanent secretary or head of the civil service.
It is also in the Gambia that one finds a cabinet minister concurrently serving as head of the civil service. There is no distinction between party and government.
An independent judiciary is imperative in any true democracy. However the independence of the Gambian judiciary is and has been under constant threat. Judges and magistrates are removed at will without due process. The ordinary citizen has lost confidence in the ability of some judges to decide impartially in matters between the state and the ordinary citizen.
Yesterday the weak and the poor were confident that the rich and powerful will be treated with them equally in the law courts but not now. Sometimes when there is a dispute between a citizen and government or a public institution the question that is invariably asked is “who is the judge or magistrate handling the case”. This does not augur well for the rule of law and the confidence of the public in an important institution such as the judiciary. If other oversight institutions fail in their duties one can and should look only to the judiciary to compel the defaulting institutions to perform the duties assigned to them, Gambians are getting poorer by the day. The much talked about the “Gambia Vision 2020” is virtually a dead letter. Its major deficiency or set back has been its lack of vision. It has no policy package and strategies that could lead to the achievement of the objectives it sets for itself. With only ten years to go from now before 2020, we still have not seen any tangible action for the possible realization of vision 2020. The most glaring contradiction is that this supposedly major development strategy does place high premium on the agricultural sector.
Fertilizer, seed nuts and other farm inputs and implements are not easily available to the farming community and where they are available, the cost is prohibitive .The so called Back To The Land policy which I think should appropriately be called “Back To My Land” is only designed to exploit communal labour for the benefit of the promoters of this policy.
If there was any vision in Vision 2020, Gambia would by now be near self sufficient in food production; Gambia would now be processing its agricultural and horticultural produce; Gambia would by now be canning fruits and indeed processing milk.
A culture that is fast developing in the Gambia is one which for want of better words I call “the party culture”. Our young men and women are being made to believe that all that is to life is to attend musical jamborees and festivities for days and sometimes weeks to be entertained by artists from every corner of the globe. Attendances at these parties by our young people and indeed others that are not young serve to make them temporarily forget their unemployment problems, their inability to provide for themselves three square meals, or pay the bills for their children’s educational needs or meet their medical expenses.
Party militants, it is sad that our country one that we proudly call the Smiling Coast of Africa is fast becoming a major hub in drugs and drug related activities. This is an unfortunate development which washes off on Gambian nationals travelling outside the Gambia.
A few days ago, over two tones of hard drugs reportedly worth over one billion dollars (not less than 26 billion dalasi) was seized in this country. What is even more worrying is the discovery of arms when the seizure was carried out.
It is stating obvious to say that where trade in drug flourishes violence also flourishes. Unscrupulous people are taking advantage of the weakness in our drug control system as well as the lenient approach of our justice system to this global menace. You and I have a responsibility to protect our country against this menace. This will not be achieved by mere rhetoric’s. We must do more than that.
I salute Gambian women for their loyalty, steadfastness, and sense of purpose particularly those in the opposition camp. Since colonial times, women have been pivotal in politics. They have been principal “king makers”. The potentials of the Gambian women have not been fully harnessed. There is a lot of lip service about women empowerment. And much of the so called empowerment of women appears to stem not from government policy but from the personal benevolence of the president.
Women must take up their rightful places in society. It is high time that women in large numbers contest for elective offices rather than vote people into elective offices. They have the unique opportunity and indeed ability to serve as agents of change. And in this regard there is a greater honor in being part of the opposition than the ruling party particularly under the current dispensation. I must admit that there are risks in politics and the hazards in African politics tend to discourage and deter women from playing their rightful role in the political life of their countries. What had befallen some women who played and continue to play prominent role in Gambian politics provide a stark warning to other women that unless you agree to the enslavement of your mind and thinking you have no future in the political life of the Gambia. Empowerment necessarily means the ability to voice out views that are coterminous with or in opposition to current Government policy on any issue. This is what is lacking in the Gambia.
United Democratic Party believes in a change of government through the ballot box. Any election contested on a level playing field will leave all contestants happy that each of them has been given a fair chance to contest. The levelness of the playing field is not measured by only the opportunities afforded to each contestant in presenting his program and policies to the electorates. There is another factor which is important and that factor is institutional. The institution that has the responsibility and the mandate to conduct free and fair elections is the Independent Electoral Commission.
We have witnessed how in the past the executive tampered with the independence of this institution by removing its members including persons who have served as chairman without due process. The membership of the commission are selected and appointed by the president. This leaves the commission members at his mercy. A commission whose membership is drawn from civil society organizations and who cannot be removed from office without the sanction of the civil society organization to which they belong will better ensure its independence. The equitable procedure for appointment of member of the commission will be to afford opportunity to all stake holders to nominate their candidate to membership of the commission and once appointed there removal from office should be in strict conformity with the constitution. This will ensure that members of the commission will take decision and carry out their duties without fear of reprisals of any form.
As we approach the 2011 elections some of the questions we should continually ask ourselves are:-
- How transparent have government affairs been conducted?
- Is corruption on the increase or on the decline?
- Have the standard of education fallen or not?
- Do we have the required medication in hospitals and other government runs health facilities?
- What is the state of press freedom in the country?
- How viable is our tourist industry?
- Why is agricultural production low?
- Why are the farmers unable to access markets for their produce?
- Why are our lands being taken from us and given to institutions who
use them in their commercial ventures?
- How come our Head of State who is paid salary like any other salary
employer can afford to dish out millions of Dalais in a month?
- Why does our leader donate huge amounts of monies to such places as
Taiwan when our own people are hard hit by flood?
I believe the answers to some or all of these questions and others should serve as incentive for each and every Gambian to campaign against the regime.
Let me also say that this congress and other party gatherings should afford you the opportunity to critical appraise the way and manner your party is administered. You the delegates as representatives of your constituencies take the important decision of placing the affairs party in the hands of the people you elect at the congress. You must therefore continue to monitor in the interest of the Gambia how your elected officials carry on with the responsibilities entrusted to them.
This congress affords you the opportunity to make suggestions on the running of your party. This congress affords you the opportunity of tasking those you elect to run the affairs of the party to design and execute efficiently programs and activities that are time bound.
You as delegates represent the views of the constituencies you come from and you are here, I believe, convinced that the United Democratic Party your party is the party of the masses and that notwithstanding any obstacles you will take this party to victory at the next elections.
Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen our party is open to work with other parties to confront the incumbent in the 2011 elections. We will however not engage in sterile academic debate or discourse. We will approach any such political working relationship with sense of realism and devotion to establishing a true democratic dispensation in which all party will operate on equal footing.
An occasion such as this cannot be organized without the necessary funding being made available to the organizers. Our supporters and sympathizers in the Diaspora as usual have played their role in funding this congress. We acknowledge with a deep sense of appreciation the contribution from the UDP Chapter UK. This Chapter was recently formed but as young as it is it is competing with older chapters in the Diaspora in terms of attending to the needs of the party. The chapters in Paris, France, New York,Washington DC area, Seattle, Washington State, North Carolina, Nashville and other parts of the United States have all provided immense financial support for the holding of this congress. The leadership of these Chapters assure me that as long as we continue with the struggle for the creation of a better and prosperous Gambia they will always give us the necessary support.
Our supporters and sympathizers in the Gambia have not been found wanting in their support to the party on this occasion. On behalf of the party I express our profound gratitude for their continued support.
Mr. Chairman, party militants I most single out for special mention three individuals in the Unites States whose personal contributions should be acknowledged.
Maimuna Ceesay the President of the Female Youth Wing of the party has donated to the party the pickup which we are currently using as utility vehicle. The shipping expenses were defrayed by herself, Musa Kanteh and Lamin Kanteh both of Anchorage Alaska. To them the united party says ABARAKA. NJARAMA, JEREJEFF,EMITEHKAPI, ANUWARI.
Our host, the people of Lower River Region, has shown again to the whole of the Gambia what they are capable of doing in hosting big political occasions. We have been provided with the best of accommodation, well fed and I am sure we will continue to be well fed until we leave this region.
The organizing committee, under the chairmanship of Dembo By-Force, in conjunction with the local organizing committee headed by Kajali Fofana, have done a splendid work. On behalf of the delegates and members of the National Executive Committee, I wish to congratulate them for a job well done and I have no doubt that if we are to organize another next week we will find no better committee than that of Dembo By-Force and his team.
I wish to congratulate also Tumbu Samateh and the entire Kiang Central Constituency on his election to the chairmanship of Lower River Region Area Committee. I have no doubt that Tumbu, the accomplished politician that he is, will live up to expectations and in 2011 lead the UDP to victory in each of the six Constituencies in Lower River Region.
Mr. Chairman and party militants let us rededicate ourselves to the cause that drove us in the first instance to espouse the ideas of our party and answer the clarion call to fight against impunity and dictatorship. Let us today rededicate ourselves to Rescuing and Reviving the Gambia. We know we can rescue and revive the Gambia.
Another Gambia, a better Gambia, a corrupt free Gambia, a drug free Gambia, a hunger free Gambia. A Gambia where the rule of law triumphs over tyranny and impunity is possible. We can make it and we should make it.
Long Live the United Democratic Party
Long Live the Republic of the Gambia
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL
I thank you all for your kind attention
Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 (Archive on Tuesday, August 31, 2010)
www.freedomnewspaper.com
The Gambia Is Becoming A Major Cocaine Hub—UDP Leader Tells Congress Attendees
As UDP Elects Darboe As Party Leader
By Staff Reporter Bakary Gibba, Banjul
“Party militants, it is sad that our country one that we proudly call the Smiling Coast of Africa is fast becoming a major hub in drugs and drug related activities. This is an unfortunate development which washes off on Gambian nationals travelling outside the Gambia. A few days ago, over two tones of hard drugs reportedly worth over one billion dollars (not less than 26 billion dalasi) was seized in this country. What is even more worrying is the discovery of arms when the seizure was carried out. It is stating obvious to say that where trade in drug flourishes violence also flourishes. Unscrupulous people are taking advantage of the weakness in our drug control system as well as the lenient approach of our justice system to this global menace. You and I have a responsibility to protect our country against this menace. This will not be achieved by mere rhetoric’s. We must do more than that,” Lawyer Ousainanou Darboe, leader of Gambia’s main opposition party UDP tells his supporters at the Party’s Congress held in Jarra Soma Saturday. Below is the full statement of the UDP leader.
…………………………………………………………………………..
Mr. Chairman,
Deputy Secretary General
Hon. Hamat Bah, Party Leader, NRP,
Representatives of sister political parties,
Representative of the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission
Distinguished delegates
Invited guests
Ladies and gentlemen
All protocol dully observed
Let me first of all welcome you all to the National congress of the United Democratic Party. This is the second congress we are holding since the founding of the party in 1996. The first congress was held in Brikama in 1998.
As we gather here today, our hearts go to our comrades who were founding members of the party but are no longer with us. Amongst them we remember Pa Kaba Sanneh the first National patron of the party, Pa Sansang Sanneh the second national patron of the party, Sidia Sanyang first senior Administrative Secretary, Ansumana Dibba our first national chairman retired colonel Sam Sillah, second national chairman, Sarjo Kunjang Sanneh, Honourable Abu Karamba Kassama of Badibu Central, Honourable Buba Samura of Kiang East, Sarjo Kunjang Sanneh Brikama Yai Kompin and member of the National Executive, Okuta Thomas, Mba Sally Makalo of Bakau, Haddy Njai of Bakau Sanchaba, Jarai Fatty of Talinding, Alhagi Amba Sey of Basse, Sukuta Jafunneh of Dippa kunda, Horja Ndure and Fatou Secom Secka of Banjul.
The entire membership of the party wish to pay tribute for the immense contribution made by these in keeping alive the struggle for a better and prosperous Gambia.
In the same vein I wish to extend condolences to the Lower River Region Area Committee and to the families of our party officials who passed away since our last congress. We remember Alhagi Fanding Saidyba of Jarra Soma. This great Gambian patriot apart from putting to the disposal of the party his energy and personal wealth donated to the party the land on which this Bureau stands. Yankuba Saidyba the first Chairman for Lower River Region Area Committee, Babucarr Saidyba, the second chairman of the area committee, Labally Ceesay of Toniataba, Aja Mama Kalo Ceesay of Toniataba, Lang Karantaba Drammeh, Chairman Sikunda, Duwa Ceesay of Pakalinding, Tomaring Njie of Sankuya, Lamin Neneh Ceesay of Kiang west, Babanding Jobe of Karantaba, were among several people who held the fortress in Lower River Region but are no longer with us. Their contribution in building the party to what it is today is invaluable. May Allah in his infinite mercy grant them all a peaceful repose and amen.
We are saddened by the absence of two prominent members of our party who have fallen victim to the maneuvers and the illegal activities of the current regime. Mr. Femi Peters our Campaign Manager would have been here today with us had it not been for his conviction and imprisonment by an unjust system applying an unjust law. We miss his towering figure in our midst and hope he will soon be reunited with us and his family.
Mr. Deputy Secretary General and party militants, on Wednesday afternoon I visited Femi Peters in his place of imprisonment. He was the usual Femi Peter we all know and he has asked me to convey to the entire membership of the United Democratic Party his devotion and dedication to commitment to the struggle. And he believes that his imprisonment will not be in vain.
The other official who is not with us today is Kanyiba Kanyi the constituency Secretary for Kombo East who was abducted by National intelligence operatives during the 2006 presidential election campaign and has since not been seen. The party and myself, have done everything possible to get him released but to no avail. His case is a matter of not only national but international concern. The government shamelessly denies having him in its custody even in the face of clear admission by the former Minister of Interior Babucarr Jatta that he ordered Kanyiba Kanji’s and Ousman Jatta alias Rambo's arrest.Aja Jambanding Drammeh the first president of the Women’s Wing sends her sincere greetings and prayers to you all. As most of us know, old age and ill health prevents her from being with us. She has been a pillar in our struggle and we have on several occassions leaned on her shoulder and like the good mother that she had always been carried us to where we are today. We pray for her speedy recovery.
Our first congress was held when the party was young. At the time of the holding of that congress our grass root organization was not as solid as it is now. The party had to embark on establishing and setting up structures at the grass root level. These presented enormous threat to the ruling party and consequently the then Inspector General of Police routinely denied us permits to hold rallies on imaginary security grounds.
The party had resort to court action against the Inspector General of Police. I am pleased to report to you that the court found the conduct of the then Inspector General of Police discriminatory, unjustified and incomplete violation of the constitution. This was a major victory for the party as it was generally believed no institution or person would challenge the excesses of the dictatorship.
Our decision to challenge and bring into focus the unconstitutional behavior of the then Inspector General of Police is in line with the party’s commitment to constitutionalism.
In the same spirit the United Democratic Party challenged the unconstitutional removal of Bishop Teresa Johnson as chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, the purported amendment to some entrenched provisions of the constitution, the failure of the IEC to conduct elections to fill the vacancy in the office of Chieftaincy in Sami District. Currently your party, the UDP, and the NRP are challenging the constitutionality of vesting power in the President to dismiss elected Councilors by dissolving Councils and confining the right to elect Mayors/ Chairmen to only Kanifing Municipality and Banjul City. Let me also mention in passing that I have personally challenged the unlawful and unconstitutional removal of judges and am pleased to say that the challenge has yielded fruit because Government on being served with my summons quickly rescinded the terminations.
The party saw the most ferocious attack to its existence in June 2000. Whilst on a mopping up campaign in Upper River Region some anti-democrats and thugs ambushed our convoy at Chamoi Bridge in Tumana. It is alleged someone lost his life . I and four other supporters of the party stood trial for murder. The trial lasted almost five years. This tragic incident is completely un/Gambian and totally alien to our political landscape. Despite threats to our lives and liberty we were un-deterred in our resolve to pursue the cause of the Gambian people.
In 2001 we lost two of the most admirable, effective and conscientious parliamentarians of the Second Republic– Honorable Abu Karamba Kassama and Honorable Buba Samura-in a tragic motor traffic accident . Their demise has not only caused and still causes some emotional distress to us but also caused some dent in our party support and this is evidenced by our defeat in the Kiang East By-election.
The UDP registered success in its campaign against Decree 89 which prohibited certain political class and groupings from participating in the political life of the country. I do not attribute the repeal of Decree 89 to the efforts of the UDP alone. I am aware that there were others involved in the campaign for the repeal of this Decree. However the role played by the UDP in this matter is not matched by others.
The repeal of Decree 89 led to the creation of the UDP / PPP/GPP alliance to contest 2001 presidential election. The campaign was not smooth. There were interferences by security agents, Seyfolu and commissioners with our various campaign teams. The party and its alliance partners were prevented from holding its last rally that was scheduled in the Kanifing Municipality. Our protestation to the Independent Electoral Commission was not heeded: in fact our protestation fell on the most unsympathetic ear. You party militants will recall that one of our youths was shot at close range in Talinding by a person believed to be a member of the security services. No one has been arrested in connection with this cold blooded murder.
We boycotted the 2002 National assembly elections, a decision for which I take personal responsibility. I regret the decision which was influenced by my trust and confidence in a fellow party member who on 18th December 2001 hailed such decision as a history making event.
Indeed it was a history making event that today no member of the United Democratic Party, particularly me, will be proud of. This so called history making event has seriously retarded our drive towards establishing a true democratic dispensation.
The opportunity to repair the damage brought about by the boycott presented itself to the people of this great constituency, Jarra West. Full advantage of the opportunity was seized by re-electing Kemeseng Jammeh to the National Assembly following the disqualification of the then Majority Leader.
Between the by-election which saw the return of Kemeseng Jammeh to the National Assembly and February 2006 the party did not engage in a lot of political activities. This was due to the long drawn out negotiations for the creation of another alliance to contest the 2006 presidential election. The negotiations resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding establishing the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD).What was conceived to be an alliance of political parties saw itself metamorphous into a registered political entity under the Elections Decree.
The registration of NADD as a political party was devastating. Some members of the UDP including myself resigned from NADD the registered political party and returned home to UDP. The National Reconciliation Party forged an alliance with the UDP and contested the 2006 presidential elections and 2007 National Assembly and Local Government Elections.
Deputy Secretary General and party militants, our activities have not been confined and limited to the Gambia. We have established links with the Socialist International and its youths associate (The International Union of Socialists Youths). Over the years our officers have attended meetings of the parent body in an observer status whilst our youths have fully participated in the meetings of the International Socialists Youths in Denmark, Cameroon, South Africa and Bulgaria to mention a few.
Mr. Deputy Secretary General and party militants, the reasons for the founding of the UDP in 1996 is as valid now as it was then. The regime is as autocratic today as it was 1996.
The constitution has been subjected to amendments that suit the regimes political agenda of self perpetuation. The National Assembly’s role and function as an oversight institution has been greatly diminished because the President has unfettered power to expel from his party any member of the National Assembly. This power which hangs over the head of every APRC National Assembly Member, who constitute the majority, like the sword of Democles, prevents National Assembly from effectively performing its oversight functions.
The public service has lost its neutrality and apolitical image. Public servants particularly those in senior positions are actively engaged in partisan politics. Gambia is the only country where a civil servant is appointed a minister, a purely political office, for a month or two and then redeployed as either a permanent secretary or head of the civil service.
It is also in the Gambia that one finds a cabinet minister concurrently serving as head of the civil service. There is no distinction between party and government.
An independent judiciary is imperative in any true democracy. However the independence of the Gambian judiciary is and has been under constant threat. Judges and magistrates are removed at will without due process. The ordinary citizen has lost confidence in the ability of some judges to decide impartially in matters between the state and the ordinary citizen.
Yesterday the weak and the poor were confident that the rich and powerful will be treated with them equally in the law courts but not now. Sometimes when there is a dispute between a citizen and government or a public institution the question that is invariably asked is “who is the judge or magistrate handling the case”. This does not augur well for the rule of law and the confidence of the public in an important institution such as the judiciary. If other oversight institutions fail in their duties one can and should look only to the judiciary to compel the defaulting institutions to perform the duties assigned to them, Gambians are getting poorer by the day. The much talked about the “Gambia Vision 2020” is virtually a dead letter. Its major deficiency or set back has been its lack of vision. It has no policy package and strategies that could lead to the achievement of the objectives it sets for itself. With only ten years to go from now before 2020, we still have not seen any tangible action for the possible realization of vision 2020. The most glaring contradiction is that this supposedly major development strategy does place high premium on the agricultural sector.
Fertilizer, seed nuts and other farm inputs and implements are not easily available to the farming community and where they are available, the cost is prohibitive .The so called Back To The Land policy which I think should appropriately be called “Back To My Land” is only designed to exploit communal labour for the benefit of the promoters of this policy.
If there was any vision in Vision 2020, Gambia would by now be near self sufficient in food production; Gambia would now be processing its agricultural and horticultural produce; Gambia would by now be canning fruits and indeed processing milk.
A culture that is fast developing in the Gambia is one which for want of better words I call “the party culture”. Our young men and women are being made to believe that all that is to life is to attend musical jamborees and festivities for days and sometimes weeks to be entertained by artists from every corner of the globe. Attendances at these parties by our young people and indeed others that are not young serve to make them temporarily forget their unemployment problems, their inability to provide for themselves three square meals, or pay the bills for their children’s educational needs or meet their medical expenses.
Party militants, it is sad that our country one that we proudly call the Smiling Coast of Africa is fast becoming a major hub in drugs and drug related activities. This is an unfortunate development which washes off on Gambian nationals travelling outside the Gambia.
A few days ago, over two tones of hard drugs reportedly worth over one billion dollars (not less than 26 billion dalasi) was seized in this country. What is even more worrying is the discovery of arms when the seizure was carried out.
It is stating obvious to say that where trade in drug flourishes violence also flourishes. Unscrupulous people are taking advantage of the weakness in our drug control system as well as the lenient approach of our justice system to this global menace. You and I have a responsibility to protect our country against this menace. This will not be achieved by mere rhetoric’s. We must do more than that.
I salute Gambian women for their loyalty, steadfastness, and sense of purpose particularly those in the opposition camp. Since colonial times, women have been pivotal in politics. They have been principal “king makers”. The potentials of the Gambian women have not been fully harnessed. There is a lot of lip service about women empowerment. And much of the so called empowerment of women appears to stem not from government policy but from the personal benevolence of the president.
Women must take up their rightful places in society. It is high time that women in large numbers contest for elective offices rather than vote people into elective offices. They have the unique opportunity and indeed ability to serve as agents of change. And in this regard there is a greater honor in being part of the opposition than the ruling party particularly under the current dispensation. I must admit that there are risks in politics and the hazards in African politics tend to discourage and deter women from playing their rightful role in the political life of their countries. What had befallen some women who played and continue to play prominent role in Gambian politics provide a stark warning to other women that unless you agree to the enslavement of your mind and thinking you have no future in the political life of the Gambia. Empowerment necessarily means the ability to voice out views that are coterminous with or in opposition to current Government policy on any issue. This is what is lacking in the Gambia.
United Democratic Party believes in a change of government through the ballot box. Any election contested on a level playing field will leave all contestants happy that each of them has been given a fair chance to contest. The levelness of the playing field is not measured by only the opportunities afforded to each contestant in presenting his program and policies to the electorates. There is another factor which is important and that factor is institutional. The institution that has the responsibility and the mandate to conduct free and fair elections is the Independent Electoral Commission.
We have witnessed how in the past the executive tampered with the independence of this institution by removing its members including persons who have served as chairman without due process. The membership of the commission are selected and appointed by the president. This leaves the commission members at his mercy. A commission whose membership is drawn from civil society organizations and who cannot be removed from office without the sanction of the civil society organization to which they belong will better ensure its independence. The equitable procedure for appointment of member of the commission will be to afford opportunity to all stake holders to nominate their candidate to membership of the commission and once appointed there removal from office should be in strict conformity with the constitution. This will ensure that members of the commission will take decision and carry out their duties without fear of reprisals of any form.
As we approach the 2011 elections some of the questions we should continually ask ourselves are:-
- How transparent have government affairs been conducted?
- Is corruption on the increase or on the decline?
- Have the standard of education fallen or not?
- Do we have the required medication in hospitals and other government runs health facilities?
- What is the state of press freedom in the country?
- How viable is our tourist industry?
- Why is agricultural production low?
- Why are the farmers unable to access markets for their produce?
- Why are our lands being taken from us and given to institutions who
use them in their commercial ventures?
- How come our Head of State who is paid salary like any other salary
employer can afford to dish out millions of Dalais in a month?
- Why does our leader donate huge amounts of monies to such places as
Taiwan when our own people are hard hit by flood?
I believe the answers to some or all of these questions and others should serve as incentive for each and every Gambian to campaign against the regime.
Let me also say that this congress and other party gatherings should afford you the opportunity to critical appraise the way and manner your party is administered. You the delegates as representatives of your constituencies take the important decision of placing the affairs party in the hands of the people you elect at the congress. You must therefore continue to monitor in the interest of the Gambia how your elected officials carry on with the responsibilities entrusted to them.
This congress affords you the opportunity to make suggestions on the running of your party. This congress affords you the opportunity of tasking those you elect to run the affairs of the party to design and execute efficiently programs and activities that are time bound.
You as delegates represent the views of the constituencies you come from and you are here, I believe, convinced that the United Democratic Party your party is the party of the masses and that notwithstanding any obstacles you will take this party to victory at the next elections.
Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen our party is open to work with other parties to confront the incumbent in the 2011 elections. We will however not engage in sterile academic debate or discourse. We will approach any such political working relationship with sense of realism and devotion to establishing a true democratic dispensation in which all party will operate on equal footing.
An occasion such as this cannot be organized without the necessary funding being made available to the organizers. Our supporters and sympathizers in the Diaspora as usual have played their role in funding this congress. We acknowledge with a deep sense of appreciation the contribution from the UDP Chapter UK. This Chapter was recently formed but as young as it is it is competing with older chapters in the Diaspora in terms of attending to the needs of the party. The chapters in Paris, France, New York,Washington DC area, Seattle, Washington State, North Carolina, Nashville and other parts of the United States have all provided immense financial support for the holding of this congress. The leadership of these Chapters assure me that as long as we continue with the struggle for the creation of a better and prosperous Gambia they will always give us the necessary support.
Our supporters and sympathizers in the Gambia have not been found wanting in their support to the party on this occasion. On behalf of the party I express our profound gratitude for their continued support.
Mr. Chairman, party militants I most single out for special mention three individuals in the Unites States whose personal contributions should be acknowledged.
Maimuna Ceesay the President of the Female Youth Wing of the party has donated to the party the pickup which we are currently using as utility vehicle. The shipping expenses were defrayed by herself, Musa Kanteh and Lamin Kanteh both of Anchorage Alaska. To them the united party says ABARAKA. NJARAMA, JEREJEFF,EMITEHKAPI, ANUWARI.
Our host, the people of Lower River Region, has shown again to the whole of the Gambia what they are capable of doing in hosting big political occasions. We have been provided with the best of accommodation, well fed and I am sure we will continue to be well fed until we leave this region.
The organizing committee, under the chairmanship of Dembo By-Force, in conjunction with the local organizing committee headed by Kajali Fofana, have done a splendid work. On behalf of the delegates and members of the National Executive Committee, I wish to congratulate them for a job well done and I have no doubt that if we are to organize another next week we will find no better committee than that of Dembo By-Force and his team.
I wish to congratulate also Tumbu Samateh and the entire Kiang Central Constituency on his election to the chairmanship of Lower River Region Area Committee. I have no doubt that Tumbu, the accomplished politician that he is, will live up to expectations and in 2011 lead the UDP to victory in each of the six Constituencies in Lower River Region.
Mr. Chairman and party militants let us rededicate ourselves to the cause that drove us in the first instance to espouse the ideas of our party and answer the clarion call to fight against impunity and dictatorship. Let us today rededicate ourselves to Rescuing and Reviving the Gambia. We know we can rescue and revive the Gambia.
Another Gambia, a better Gambia, a corrupt free Gambia, a drug free Gambia, a hunger free Gambia. A Gambia where the rule of law triumphs over tyranny and impunity is possible. We can make it and we should make it.
Long Live the United Democratic Party
Long Live the Republic of the Gambia
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL
I thank you all for your kind attention
Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 (Archive on Tuesday, August 31, 2010)
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