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