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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
 Posted - 21 Sep 2011 : 11:26:18
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Foroyaa Editorial: OPPOSITION UNITY, TO BE OR NOT TO BE?
By Publisher on 21-09-11
Turn at every corner, sit in any vous, visit any home, talk to any foreign diplomat, read any online Gambian paper, listen to any conversation among ordinary people from Kartong to Koina; the concerns are the same and the conclusion is that if the opposition fails to unite the election would have been lost even before the contest.
The international community appears to be displaying fatigue and have adopted a wait and see approach to the 24 November Presidential Elections. Neither the ruling party nor the opposition appears to be in their list of priorities. There is a danger that the Gambia may become increasingly isolated unless the ruling party and the opposition take measures that would inspire hope.
The opposition is still behind doors negotiating the terms to establish a United Front. Will they or will they not unite? That is the primary question. Some say the talks are already in tatters. However no opposition party has come out to say that it is out of the talks. Hence it could be fairly said that an announcement is what will make or break the camp of the opposition. The speculations should be put aside while we wait for the final announcement.The ruling party, however, is not taking anything for granted. It has eliminated all distinction between state and party. The tour of the President was relayed over GRTS on a daily basis. This was followed by the transformation of the Cabinet room into a forum for political propaganda on behalf of the ruling party. Now the Ministry of Youths is linked to the APRC youth mobiliser’s tour of the country. Prior to the tour the youth mobiliser got footballs and other sporting gears, drinks and other forms of support form the business community. He is now accompanied by Ministers and is making promises to establish shops for young people throughout the country. The GRTS is giving them coverage on TV and Radio. They refer to different regions as no go area for the opposition even though the opposition parties are also conducting their own tours in the same areas. Manipulation of the state media is therefore leading to the sending of the wrong signals to the Gambian population.
The promises to establish youth farms and youth consumer shops reminds Foroyaa of the early days of the coup of 22nd July when members of the July 22nd Movement were asked to established shops and the cooperative movement was utilised to import condiments such onions, etc for sale. Eventually, many shops closed and the Youth enterprise programme went into a crisis after the falling apart of the pioneers. Over 15 years have elapsed and no one could honestly identify significant enterprises owned by youths.
The development strategy of the party leans towards establishing farms for the members of Cabinet and consumer enterprises by the party leader that is providing fodder for charity. The items for charity cover things like rice, oil, meat, sugar, milk and so on and so forth. Will the APRC leadership hand over their enterprises to the youth so that they become producers rather than beggars in need of patronage? The future will tell what type of Youth enterprises will emerge before the elections and how many youths will be engaged.
Source: Foroyaa
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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fankungfankung
Gambia
13 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2011 : 21:58:58
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| not to be |
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GOD BLESS SHEIKH PROFESSOR ALHAGIE YAHYA AJJ JAMMEH
(PRESIDENT FOR LIFE.)
GOD BLESS THE GAMBIA
GOD BLESS APRC
DOWN WITH THE FAILED OPPOSITION
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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