UDP Leader Speaks

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Breaking News: Gambia: DARBOE SAYS HE IS WILLING TO ALLOW OTHERS TO LEAD UDP
DARBOE SAYS HE IS WILLING TO ALLOW OTHERS TO LEAD UDP





The leader of the main opposition United Democratic Party Lawyer Ousainou Darboe said has said that he is willing to allow any Gambian to lead the UDP, saying that his leadership is entirely in the hands of the party’s grassroots people. Darboe said if the UDP membership decides to replace him in the coming congress, he would gladly relinquish his position as a party leader. To listen to the audio version of the report, please click this link:

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Mr. Darboe said he was chosen to lead the UDP, and if the party’s membership wants to replace him with another candidate he would step down. Darboe said he was partly forced to serve as the leader of the UDP when the country was experiencing a transition—from a military rule to civilian rule. He said accepted the mandate of the UDP membership to preside over the affairs of the party in good faith.

Darboe would not confirm it he is going to retire from politics in the coming UDP Congress, but he invited Freedom Newspaper Editor Pa Nderry M’Bai to vie for the UDP leadership position if he M’Bai is interested. He said any Gambian can vie for the UDP leadership.

The UDP leader also talked about Gambia’s human rights crisis. Mr. Darboe said the Gambia is faced with serious human rights situation—pointing out that the Government of the day is bent on undermining the constitution. He said detainees are exposed to inhumane treatment, while citing the case of General Tamba and co. Mr. Darboe said Mr. Tamba and co are handcuffed while in court as if they are common criminals. He said all accused persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Regarding Hamat Bah’s declaration that he Bah is not going form an alliance with other political parties, Darboe said he seriously questioned if the statement is coming from Mr. Bah. He said Bah could have been possibly been misquoted by the press, but he was reminded that there was indeed an audio interview in which Bah made the statement. Darboe said he read the story in one of the local papers in The Gambia, but cautioned that it is only Mr. Bah who can explained the rationale behind his statement.

According to Darboe, few weeks before the said statement was attributed to Hamat Bah, NRP’S Administrative Secretary attended the UDP meeting in Serre Kunda.

Mr. Darboe said he is not aware of any problem the UDP and the NRP. He said Mr. Bah is right person to answer questions as why he Bah wants to contest the elections without an alliance. He said his party shall continue to call for an opposition alliance.

Audio Link http://www.box.net/shared/ij900em2me