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
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Monday 21 June 2010
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)
www.freedomnewspaper.com
Friday 11 June 2010
UDP Maimuna Ceesay On Radio Freedom
Mai Ceesay give a brilliant interview to Pa Nderry of Radio Freedom. She articulated many relevant points and shed light on the eventual out come of the ongoing congress. A recommended program.
UDP Congress from the 11th to the 13th of June
This is to inform you that United Democratic Party (UDP) will hold it's Party Congress this weekend (June 11-13th) in Jarra Soma. The event will be held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The event will wrap up on Sunday with a mass rally in Soma.
At this event, the party will elect new leadership and roll out the party platform. The 2011 election season will commence immediately.
Suntou (UDP U.K)
At this event, the party will elect new leadership and roll out the party platform. The 2011 election season will commence immediately.
Suntou (UDP U.K)
UDP Leader's interview. Ousainou Darboe
The DISCOURSE www.thedialynews.com
With Saihou Jammeh
On the countdown to opposition-United Democratic Party’s congress slated for Saturday at Jarra Soma, Lower River Region, The Discourse anchor takes on it’s party leader, Ousainou Darboe for an exclusive interview at his home.
What would be the hallmark of the congress
During the congress we are to make a review of our activities for the past years. We will as well elect our executive and adopt our resolutions and other policy matters. The event will be rounded up with a mass political rally that would be open to all
How many members do you expect to attend the congress?
The congress is to be attended by delegates. 5 delegates should come from each constituency. So we do not expect more than 500 delegates all together.
When last did you go for congress?
Unfortunately, we had our last congress in 1997. But in between we have been having committee meetings during which we took decisions as mandated by our constitution.
It does not mean that our lack of having congress left the owners in the dark. They knew what was going on through the committee meetings
I understand one of your congresses was frustrated. Can you shed light on this?
That was not a national congress but one organized by Kombo Central constituency to better prepare themselves. But the security forces moved-in and arrested our people including Syngle Nyassi, Wassa Janneh, Yusupha Cham and Dembo Ara Sanneh, among others and were subjected to the most brutal torture. We have a cassette of it that we call "Torture Cassette."
You are going to congress without your campaign manager. What is your take on this?
In a dictatorship it is common for those struggling to create a democratic environment to go ahead without some of their prominent members. Femi Peter’s absence would be the message at the congress; that it is time to get rid of dictatorship.
This is not the first time UDP is going for congress without her prominent supporters jailed. You would recall Pa Sansang who was our chief patron was detained while we were having congress. Lamin Waa Juwara then a member of the UDP was in jail.
History is repeating itself though not something we really cherish.
Yesterday I spoke with Femi Peters and he sends his warm greetings to the attendees of the congress and to inform you that he is part of the struggle. He told me he has no regrets because he is not divorced from them for common criminal activity but rather struggling to create a better Gambia of which his children and grand children can be proud of.
Our sources said many people are ready to challenge you for the UDP leadership. What is your take on this?
That is the beauty of democracy. Those are the ideas and ideals we believe in. The party belongs to people who are free to choose their leaders.
I personally will welcome anyone who contests for leadership and I encourage it. I am also encouraging them to look critically at leaders and point out any deficiencies.
Are you sure you still have the support of UDP members?
I have not conducted any survey to gauge the opinion of the people. But I know I am enjoying a reasonable amount of support within the party. I enjoy genuine support unlike the ruling APRC leaders which does not have genuine support.
Permit for the opposition is turning to be something precious. Have you obtained one for the congress and the rally? And even if you have, are you hopeful to go ahead with it since we have seen instances of parties having permit yet denied to hold rallies?
We do not need permit to organize a rally or congress, but rather to use a public address system. We got that. UDP was at one point denied to hold rally after having permit because the president was having a tour. And to prevent running into one another, our’s was cancelled. The other one was in Tumana when one Alieu Njie was alledged to have died. Other than that we never had our permit and denied to hold rallies.
Opposition parties have been oppressed by the current government such as denying you permit to hold rallies. What impact does it have on your performance?
It has certainly made our presence less felt in many areas. Rallies afford parties to assemble their people and discuss matters of national concern. But when the police started denying us permit we resorted to having ward or smaller meetings. These meetings are informal but certainly yield dividend.
What is the prospect of UDP in the coming elections?
With a level playing filed UDP has enormous chances of winning the elections. Notwithstanding if the field is not leveled the membership is determined to support us in the coming elections. Certainly in 2011, we will uproot Jammeh like a cassassa.
The people are now determined to make changes. They have seen that the ruling party is not responsive. They have seen it through president Jammeh’s pretences; his words do not match his actions. Even APRC supporters attest to that.
You seem to blame the opposition’s poor performance on lack of level playing field. I stand to be corrected, but if my memory serves me well, you did congratulate Jammeh after one presidential election admitting that the election was free and fair. Why?
I rejected the election result. I even filed a petition to the effect. After 2001 elections I called the president to congratulate him after consultation with senior members of the party. That was because my supporters are brutalized in every part of the country.
People were attacking my people. OJ’s mother – the old woman who is not a politician was attacked in her house.
My supporters are being exposed to all types of harassment by people including security officers. Thus, I felt that calling Jammeh would tame the harassment not because we believed in the fairness of the elections.
You talked of UDP’s chances of winning the coming election. Is this feasible without the opposition parties coming together?
I do not in anyway underestimate the value of a united front. The more unified, the better the chances. But a united front is not the only answer. You can have all the parties united but if the playing field is not level, you cannot achieve your goal.
There should be an electoral commission committed to fair elections. There should be political neutrality of the public servants and security forces. No state resources should be used.
Are you implying that the ruling party plays in NADD’s disintegration?
I am not saying that.
Or are they frustrating your efforts of re-union or whatever?
I believe we might have differences in thinking, the way we view issues, our idealism might differ, some are ideologists and others are not… . Notwithstanding if a sense of reality pervades it should not be difficult.
In august 2006 after NADD’s disintegration I called for a united front. And after the nominations I still called for a united front but my call was not heeded. The consequence was devastating for parties and individuals.
Perhaps you attached conditions that might not be favorable to other parties?
No I did not attach any conditions. I wrote to the NADD leadership. I did not say UDP should lead. I thought the addressee would come for discussion. It was however rejected
Posted By: article on Jun 11, 2010 11:31AM Category: Discourse
With Saihou Jammeh
On the countdown to opposition-United Democratic Party’s congress slated for Saturday at Jarra Soma, Lower River Region, The Discourse anchor takes on it’s party leader, Ousainou Darboe for an exclusive interview at his home.
What would be the hallmark of the congress
During the congress we are to make a review of our activities for the past years. We will as well elect our executive and adopt our resolutions and other policy matters. The event will be rounded up with a mass political rally that would be open to all
How many members do you expect to attend the congress?
The congress is to be attended by delegates. 5 delegates should come from each constituency. So we do not expect more than 500 delegates all together.
When last did you go for congress?
Unfortunately, we had our last congress in 1997. But in between we have been having committee meetings during which we took decisions as mandated by our constitution.
It does not mean that our lack of having congress left the owners in the dark. They knew what was going on through the committee meetings
I understand one of your congresses was frustrated. Can you shed light on this?
That was not a national congress but one organized by Kombo Central constituency to better prepare themselves. But the security forces moved-in and arrested our people including Syngle Nyassi, Wassa Janneh, Yusupha Cham and Dembo Ara Sanneh, among others and were subjected to the most brutal torture. We have a cassette of it that we call "Torture Cassette."
You are going to congress without your campaign manager. What is your take on this?
In a dictatorship it is common for those struggling to create a democratic environment to go ahead without some of their prominent members. Femi Peter’s absence would be the message at the congress; that it is time to get rid of dictatorship.
This is not the first time UDP is going for congress without her prominent supporters jailed. You would recall Pa Sansang who was our chief patron was detained while we were having congress. Lamin Waa Juwara then a member of the UDP was in jail.
History is repeating itself though not something we really cherish.
Yesterday I spoke with Femi Peters and he sends his warm greetings to the attendees of the congress and to inform you that he is part of the struggle. He told me he has no regrets because he is not divorced from them for common criminal activity but rather struggling to create a better Gambia of which his children and grand children can be proud of.
Our sources said many people are ready to challenge you for the UDP leadership. What is your take on this?
That is the beauty of democracy. Those are the ideas and ideals we believe in. The party belongs to people who are free to choose their leaders.
I personally will welcome anyone who contests for leadership and I encourage it. I am also encouraging them to look critically at leaders and point out any deficiencies.
Are you sure you still have the support of UDP members?
I have not conducted any survey to gauge the opinion of the people. But I know I am enjoying a reasonable amount of support within the party. I enjoy genuine support unlike the ruling APRC leaders which does not have genuine support.
Permit for the opposition is turning to be something precious. Have you obtained one for the congress and the rally? And even if you have, are you hopeful to go ahead with it since we have seen instances of parties having permit yet denied to hold rallies?
We do not need permit to organize a rally or congress, but rather to use a public address system. We got that. UDP was at one point denied to hold rally after having permit because the president was having a tour. And to prevent running into one another, our’s was cancelled. The other one was in Tumana when one Alieu Njie was alledged to have died. Other than that we never had our permit and denied to hold rallies.
Opposition parties have been oppressed by the current government such as denying you permit to hold rallies. What impact does it have on your performance?
It has certainly made our presence less felt in many areas. Rallies afford parties to assemble their people and discuss matters of national concern. But when the police started denying us permit we resorted to having ward or smaller meetings. These meetings are informal but certainly yield dividend.
What is the prospect of UDP in the coming elections?
With a level playing filed UDP has enormous chances of winning the elections. Notwithstanding if the field is not leveled the membership is determined to support us in the coming elections. Certainly in 2011, we will uproot Jammeh like a cassassa.
The people are now determined to make changes. They have seen that the ruling party is not responsive. They have seen it through president Jammeh’s pretences; his words do not match his actions. Even APRC supporters attest to that.
You seem to blame the opposition’s poor performance on lack of level playing field. I stand to be corrected, but if my memory serves me well, you did congratulate Jammeh after one presidential election admitting that the election was free and fair. Why?
I rejected the election result. I even filed a petition to the effect. After 2001 elections I called the president to congratulate him after consultation with senior members of the party. That was because my supporters are brutalized in every part of the country.
People were attacking my people. OJ’s mother – the old woman who is not a politician was attacked in her house.
My supporters are being exposed to all types of harassment by people including security officers. Thus, I felt that calling Jammeh would tame the harassment not because we believed in the fairness of the elections.
You talked of UDP’s chances of winning the coming election. Is this feasible without the opposition parties coming together?
I do not in anyway underestimate the value of a united front. The more unified, the better the chances. But a united front is not the only answer. You can have all the parties united but if the playing field is not level, you cannot achieve your goal.
There should be an electoral commission committed to fair elections. There should be political neutrality of the public servants and security forces. No state resources should be used.
Are you implying that the ruling party plays in NADD’s disintegration?
I am not saying that.
Or are they frustrating your efforts of re-union or whatever?
I believe we might have differences in thinking, the way we view issues, our idealism might differ, some are ideologists and others are not… . Notwithstanding if a sense of reality pervades it should not be difficult.
In august 2006 after NADD’s disintegration I called for a united front. And after the nominations I still called for a united front but my call was not heeded. The consequence was devastating for parties and individuals.
Perhaps you attached conditions that might not be favorable to other parties?
No I did not attach any conditions. I wrote to the NADD leadership. I did not say UDP should lead. I thought the addressee would come for discussion. It was however rejected
Posted By: article on Jun 11, 2010 11:31AM Category: Discourse
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