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Biraago
Gambia
173 Posts |
 Posted - 27 May 2006 : 13:49:56
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NEWS UDP/NRP alliance responds to concerned Gambians
By AllGambian.net
May 26, 2006 The UDP/NRP alliance has maintained that any arrangements with NADD must take into consideration the candidacies of Ousainou Darboe and Hamat Bah as presidential and running mate respectively. The newly formed opposition alliance was responding to a proposal from a group of Concerned Gambians to bring the fractured Gambian opposition to forge a unified front to contest the October 2006 presidential election.
While maintaining that it is open to collaboration with other parties, the alliance hinted that the NRP's performance as the second largest opposition party in the last presidential election cannot be ignored.
We reproduce below an e-mail exchange between Ebraima Manneh, senior Administrative Secretary of the UDP/NRP alliance and Dr. Abdoulie Saine on behalf of the Committee of Concerned Gambians.
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Dear Dr. Saine,
We thank you for your email dated April 11th 2006 but which we received on Saturday, 20th April. We appreciate your interest in brokering a rapprochement between the UDP/NRP Alliance and the NADD. Ideally, having a unified opposition would help in our bid to defeat the APRC in the forthcoming elections.
We have studied carefully your ideas and it is apparent that you have not exhausted all the possible options. You have for example, left out Hamat Bah and the NRP which is the second largest opposition party and which came out third in the last presidential elections. We cannot ignore this fact in any arrangement that has to be worked out within the opposition ranks.
You will appreciate that we already have established the UDP/NRP Alliance and our two parties have chosen Ousainou Darbo as the presidential candidate for the Alliance and Mr. Hamat Bah as the running mate. Any arrangement with other parties would therefore start from that position.
We would like to confirm our earlier position that we are open to cooperation and collaboration with all other opposition parties that share whose objective is to defeat the APRC in the presidential and national Assembly elections.
We thank you for your proposal and we hope that our own reaction could engender more ideas in this regard.
Best regards
Ebraima Manneh
Senior Administrative Secretary 18th May. 2006
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Dear Mr. Manneh:
Many thanks for your email and the response to the proposals I sent on behalf of the "Committee of Concerned Gambians." Also, thank you for sharing your reaction(s) to the proposal with the NADD executive. We are very pleased that the UDP/NRP executive took the time to carefully consider the proposals.
We sincerely agree that the proposals I delivered to you for your executive's consideration, were not exhaustive. In fact, the proposals were never intended to be exhaustive but were to instead serve as a skeletal foundation upon which the two political entities UDP/NRP and NADD could build on and possibly begin talks.
That you shared the UDP/NRP executive's response to the proposals with NADD's could, in the end, open important lines of communication. This was our primary objective. With regard to the specific party decisions and intricate party positions, these can be made clear when talks/ negotiations begin in earnest with NADD.
I am sure you are aware of the many proposals being floated around both in The Gambia and the Diaspora following the Kombo East by-election outcome. The call for unity from all political quarters has grown even louder. The precise character/modality for unity will be left to you, the politicians to spell out precisely. It is clear, however, that a UDP/NRP/NADD alliance could have easily clinched the seat in Kombo East.
As in all negotiations, some positions are not negotiable. I suspect Hamat Bah's selection as Ousainou's running-mate is one such position. Not withstanding, it is our belief that other strategies/ modes of alliance formation can be explored amongst your ranks. We will leave the details to those of you on the ground.
Again, on behalf of the "Committee of Concerned Gambians" I thank the UDP/ NRP executive for its thoughtful response to our proposal and hope that the NADD's executive will seize the opportunity to respond to your response to our proposal in order to begin talks soon. I will share this response to your email with the NADD executive as well.
Kind regards, Abdoulaye Saine
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2006 : 15:05:19
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quote:
Originally posted by Biraago
NEWS UDP/NRP alliance responds to concerned Gambians
By AllGambian.net
May 26, 2006 The UDP/NRP alliance has maintained that any arrangements with NADD must take into consideration the candidacies of Ousainou Darboe and Hamat Bah as presidential and running mate respectively.
QUOTE EXTRACTED
"May 26, 2006 The UDP/NRP alliance has maintained that any arrangements with NADD must take into consideration the candidacies of Ousainou Darboe and Hamat Bah as presidential and running mate respectively. " END
Thats unacceptable and seemingly inclined towards absolute rubbish, total failure and doomed for the masses.
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salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2006 : 19:04:58
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| Kobo, what is doom for the masses is also doom for any aspiring presidential candidate because in isolation no body would have the chance to make changes. |
Edited by salimina |
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somita
United Kingdom
163 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2006 : 20:11:37
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I only hope the so called politician can see you point Salimina. The fact is they dont they are buried in achieving their own selfish interest and position that they only think about the masses when they realise they have to go through them to achieve their objectives.
My blood runs cold when I think of the poor farmers who are still not paid since January. That amongst many things is enough to bring the opposition together but on the flip side of the coin, is enough to show us that they are there for their selfish interest.
How much more suffering will our people have to go through .... i dont want to think about it anymore. |
Edited by - somita on 27 May 2006 20:26:32 |
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Biraago
Gambia
173 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2006 : 20:34:21
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Compatriots,
The so-called masses and poor farmers must always and consistently by vigilant and seek to be cognisant with the alternative programmes proposed by the different party alliances inorder to make to best decision for themselves regardless of the negative socio-cultural influences dictating their judgements in the past decades.
We cannot always be patronising people who have been living in a political atmosphere for 40 years, thinking that they don't know what they are doing. The poor just like the affluent, always weigh their choices to fit their desires in most cases.
We should ofcourse continue to contribute to the progressive cooperation between the politically organised forces seeking to lead us but on the same token, more effort should be spent on trying to identify what is best for our nation and the personalities tied to that program not forgetting to scrutinise their honesty, capability, democratic cridentials, intrest for the common purpose and steadfastness among other factors.
Only a conscious and sincere people can create a progressive leadership. |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2006 : 22:51:32
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We thank Saine a lot for initiating this opportunity for dialogue within the opposition.
Personally , i do not mind if Darboe and Bah are selected as running mates under the new proposed opposition alliance. The question however, is whether Darboe nad Bah will agree to the five year term limit, at the end of which they cannot contest or back any candidate in subsequent elections.
I believe when the opposition parties sit down to talk about the modalities for a new merger these issues and others will be clearly stipulated. |
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dbaldeh
USA
934 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2006 : 23:52:10
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Guys, it is really disturbing to hear the ultimatum that the UDP/NRP is proposing. In an open negotiation one has to be more flexible in every angle.
Many people including myself will be content with a Darboe/Bah leadership. However, under what conditions can this be achieve?
Here are some points that need to be considered. We can have a Darboe/Bah ticket. The rest of the opposition parties should share all the ministerial positions on an equal footing. This should be on a five year transition term. Darboe/Bah should have the power to nominate perm. secs, directors,commissioners etc but the cabinet must be the one to comfirm the candidates. They should have the sole mandate to reject any nominee. This I believe will create checks and balances and to make sure the president does not have absolute power.
Now the biggest problem this will create is what happens to those UPD/NRP loyalist who are looking to occupy key positions? This people I suspect will fight to get what they want and as a result there will be contineous pressure on Darboe/Bah not to accept this formula.
Lastly, it is dangerous for UPD/NRP to say that certain things cannot be compromise. Do we remember what happens to UDP/NCP alliance in the last Presidential elections? SM put up an ultimatum for his candidature or no alliance. The results was devastating. Do we want to repeat the same mistake again? UPD/NRP must understand that majority party or second runner up in the last elections does not mean anything if you cannot win the state house. Take an example Kombo north elections, UDP/NRP came second, but what does that mean? ZERO, because the Gambian people lost. This is exactly what is going to happen if they insist on this unrealistic majority party. You must be willing to compromise for our future period. I encourage all supporters to rally their people on a winnable formula, else we are doomed for good.
God bless. |
Baldeh,
"Be the change you want to see in the world" Ghandi
Visit http://www.gainako.com for your daily news and politics |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2006 : 00:51:44
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quote:
Originally posted by salimina
Kobo, what is doom for the masses is also doom for any aspiring presidential candidate because in isolation no body would have the chance to make changes.
Salamina I agree with you that they are discredit themselves and eventual live to regret it more than the masses. If they maintain these selfish plans they can now be condemn as traitors and dealt with mercilessly. |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2006 : 01:20:39
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quote:
Originally posted by dbaldeh
Guys, it is really disturbing to hear the ultimatum that the UDP/NRP is proposing. In an open negotiation one has to be more flexible in every angle.
Many people including myself will be content with a Darboe/Bah leadership. However, under what conditions can this be achieve?
Here are some points that need to be considered. We can have a Darboe/Bah ticket. The rest of the opposition parties should share all the ministerial positions on an equal footing. This should be on a five year transition term. Darboe/Bah should have the power to nominate perm. secs, directors,commissioners etc but the cabinet must be the one to comfirm the candidates. They should have the sole mandate to reject any nominee. This I believe will create checks and balances and to make sure the president does not have absolute power.
dbaldeh Your structure appear to be biased to certain elements that don't have the political credentials, credibility and leadership qualities expected from them. I mean in particular Darboe and Bah are not fit from as manifested from these latest developments to lead an opposition party not to mention entrust them to steer the nation. They have prematurely exposed themselves that they were just occupying temporarily unfilled positions which they won during the heydays of the military takeover and the transistion. Having analyse the situation and their politicking am inclined to be suspicious from them that because most of their large following naturally commands two of the largest major tribes they want to manipulate their way by capitalising on that for popularity. They appear to be playing a dangerous political strategy banking on the large support they have seen from previous elections. Now the political realities appear to be different from previous years.
However I would reiterate again that they have the trump card for key towards success for an overwhelming victory if they play it well to promote a proper alliance or total failure and defeat if they play nasty as they appear to demonstrate from their recent declarations. |
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dbaldeh
USA
934 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2006 : 01:24:51
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Kobo, I am with you brother. I have always been concerned about Amat Bah's move towards Darboe. His main reason is to be the number two man and this will never cut it for them. My question to Amat is that do you have any doubt that the UPD party will ever accept you as a party leader? The answer is a cystal clear never? In fact the reason UDP is so excited about NRP joining them is the fact that they can use this majority party issue to sway the arguements towards their favor.
I have been a supporter of the UDP during this negotiation period, however my suspicion contineous to grow as they play the majority card over and over. They just don't get it and the strategy as I can smell here is that if they are going down then we all will go down with them. It is a sad strategy.
Yes, UDP/NRP has the political muscle, but it is not enough to take them to the next level alone. So the honest and most humble thing for them to do is to open the door to all possibilities. Without this they will fail and the Gambian people will be the victims for another decade. I am still hopeful that they will come to their senses.
Peace...
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Baldeh,
"Be the change you want to see in the world" Ghandi
Visit http://www.gainako.com for your daily news and politics |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2006 : 03:21:20
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| dbaldeh We all hope that they would come to their senses and rethink their direction. However time appears to already ran out am afraid? |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2006 : 03:35:51
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Compatriots,
On the mimbar stood the caller, the call from the mighty one.They were neither deaf nor blind, but that they chose the way of judas.The blasting sound seized them during dawn, and breakfast wasn't a matter to be placed on the table.
Hopes and lives are getting destroyed because of the judas and the pharohs of today.
-of what essence is leadership to any, that one cannot sacrifice.
-of what essence is our world to any, that one cannot sacrifice.
But since unity is a two way process, and exhausting it means "avoiding deregatory comments", Hon.Sallah, then what all need to do then is to compromise the sweet bombong.
Also, since unity is to root our terror, we cannot afford to be terrolized by anyone, either for selfishness or personal aggrandizement. Such cheap comments shows syntoms of terror, and one must be very careful in analyzing such motives of terrolizing unions and groups.
A leader must neither be exessive for power nor arrogant. A leader must be chosen, and not self appointing or imposing. Since the union is to give each a vote and a veto, then it is strictly advisable for each of the parties to rely on this in passing their wish before the union, rather than terror through self imposing-hiding under the tentacles of majority and 'terri-kafo' lineage.
I realized the differences between the two political rivals was in high gears at the union sitting then, and their differences brought us to this day.
As a youth, i am careful to pray to God to distant me from such sins-to the whole citizenry of a whole nation.
I hope dialogue continues so that some of them will drop their differences, and put national interest before them; others to drop their grips of excessiveness for leadership.
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"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2006 : 06:50:13
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| Good morning . I just wonder if someone can tell me why we cannot forge ahead and drop the name calling such as terikafo etc in this quest for a unified front to challenge /effect the needed change we seek. I think it serves none of our purposes in the end because instead of soothing each other it seems we are provoking discent and a kind of hatred for a certain group.Do we need them to join the fight ? if the answer is yes then please drop the attack we should negotiate /massage each other's back/necks whatever, encourage each another to move on just as the drummers do at communal farming ceremonies when their drumbeats serve as inducement for more and conjoint efforts.Bu Darra seda ! yengulen allnimbara.If you want me to join yur club you can.t get me doing so by insulting or intimidating me you coax me may be that way i will see you want me not loath me.may be i am too simplistic in these senses but it seems to me that some people are bent on castigating others whom we cannot afford to lose .All hands on deck and as we board the ship we most have the same good intentions ;that is not to rock the boat but to cross the river safely ;one and all.That my friends is an option we most consider.BUL WENGAL GAAL GItake the hyena's case where he was told to calm down and he replied let the rear calm down too.Here we need to check it out the threat is ahead and it is junkung. We should focus on his removal.No side issues please as those will derail us and we don't want to leave this track /folks he promised to build a railway for us.Yes to derail us what a fool he is.Gambians are no one's fool he will soon see.Long live Gambia |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2006 : 08:16:06
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quote:
Originally posted by Dalton1
Compatriots,
Bla, bla, bla.................................................
...............................................................
I realized the differences between the two political rivals was in high gears at the union sitting then, and their differences brought us to this day.
As a youth, i am careful to pray to God to distant me from such sins-to the whole citizenry of a whole nation.
I hope dialogue continues so that some of them will drop their differences, and put national interest before them; others to drop their grips of excessiveness for leadership.
Dalton1 Thanks for your elusive comments. However there are some resounding words that I want to elaborate on. In my opinion your realization of their weak leadership styles ans selfish attitudes are incline towards commiting the graviest mistakes, failures, very serious repercussions, irreparable damages, bad legacy, catastrophic and disregard for call to duty and execute a political mandate for average Gambians. It appears to be favourable from assessment of the political climate, from the masses and its citizenry to show they are ready for it to usher in a new era of hope but on this crossroads they are the stumbling blocks and eventually their mis-deeds would be considered a "sin" per se but a very seriuos moral crime against its citizenry to its highest degree.
We hope they are listening and would appreciate your final remarks quoted above. |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2006 : 08:26:59
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quote:
Originally posted by kaanibaa
Good morning . I just wonder if someone can tell me why we cannot forge ahead and drop the name calling such as terikafo etc in this quest for a unified front to challenge /effect the needed change we seek. I think it serves none of our purposes in the end because instead of soothing each other it seems we are provoking discent and a kind of hatred for a certain group.Do we need them to join the fight ? if the answer is yes then please drop the attack we should negotiate /massage each other's back/necks whatever, encourage each another to move on just as the drummers do at communal farming ceremonies when their drumbeats serve as inducement for more and conjoint efforts.Bu Darra seda ! yengulen allnimbara.If you want me to join yur club you can.t get me doing so by insulting or intimidating me you coax me may be that way i will see you want me not loath me.may be i am too simplistic in these senses but it seems to me that some people are bent on castigating others whom we cannot afford to lose .All hands on deck and as we board the ship we most have the same good intentions ;that is not to rock the boat but to cross the river safely ;one and all.That my friends is an option we most consider.BUL WENGAL GAAL GItake the hyena's case where he was told to calm down and he replied let the rear calm down too.Here we need to check it out the threat is ahead and it is junkung. We should focus on his removal.No side issues please as those will derail us and we don't want to leave this track /folks he promised to build a railway for us.Yes to derail us what a fool he is.Gambians are no one's fool he will soon see.Long live Gambia
Kaaniba Thanks for downplaying some of our mis-statements, comments and certain words which can be misrepresented even whether used appropriately or not appropriately as examples, to highlight, describe or gave certain signals and messages to common peoples' like us (Gambians) and understand them. |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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