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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Sep 2006 : 18:36:09
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Patrirck Dunleavy , a political science writer once said that when a new government comes to power it can blame all it's political and economic woes on the predecessor regime , but as time passes it becomes less and less effective to do so.
This is evident in the Gambia when Jammeh overthrow Jawara's regime.Jammeh constantly lambasted Jawara and the PPP for all the political and economic difficulties he encountered. Now Jawara and PPP have almost disappeared in his speeches.Jammeh must account for all his poiltical and economic decisions and consequences without the previledge of blaming on any past government.
One of the biggest mistakes Jawara made is that he OVERSTAYED in power despite all the economic downturn and massive corruption (characteristic of many long-serving governments).Apparently , Jammeh is headed for the same road without learning any lessons from his successor whom he toppled in a military coup. But can the Gambian people afford another massive government failure in the near future ?
Elections are not meant to be plebiscitary referandums . Elections are are only effective if they can result in a change of Government.The political pendulum must swing regularly , otherwise there is something wrong obviously.I keep alluding to Claude E. Welch that no single person should hold onto power year after year. Change is the key to growth and development. That is why Julius Nyerere said that "only God and fools don't change" , everything else changes.
Unfortunately , in todays (and maybe yesterdays)Gambia election results are pretty much decided behind the scene (in the oversight of the observers) even before we go to the polls.
Therefore , the best safety valve against any potential tyrannical political hegemony is the institution of a presidential TERM LIMIT .The benefits of a term limit is just too great to ignore.
I believe there is fertile ground in this post-election Gambia to push a popular demand for a TERM LIMIT.If there is a will there must be a way !
Think about this , and let's start the process.
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2006 : 19:56:04
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No. No hope for a term limit. Historically there never was a term limit in African politics. Its a western idea that does not go well with African politicians. We had kings for life. Certainly, it will be president for life or unless forced to leave just like Jawara.
I would recommend you watch the TV series that appeared on British televison titled" PRESIDENT FOR LIFE" about an African military dictator who was forced into exile in Britain with his body guard Solomon who boasted of being able to drive an armored tank through a group of unarmed student protestors with no problem.
It is believed that the story is based on characters from Nigeria and it was a film protesting against military rule and exposing its vices. |
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Ebra
Gambia
268 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2006 : 20:04:29
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| No term limit. Go to UK, there is no term limits for the Queen. So if we are to go by the western idealogy then Jammeh can stay as long as he wants. At the time of his departure MARIAM JAMMEH will take over. She will be the first Gambian female head of State. So we are now going to have monach system period. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2006 : 20:11:54
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You are right Ebra. There will not be a term limit. Infact my prediction is the Assembly will be suspended after its formation as the constitution has recently been changed for the Executive to do this. Infact the amendment has not set a limit to how long it can last. The only restriction is that parliament cannot be suspended 18 months before a General election.
So we will go without one until 2011. Any MP or groups of MPs who want to be trouble some especially in the face of a possible impeachment of the President, the Executive can suspend them indefinitely thereby effectively putting off any such moves.
If that happens, i would still go by the decision because, Parliament has approved the change and therefore legal. Whether it is moral is another thing but morality has no basis in legal jurisprudence. If it is not illegal, then it is good to go in the eyes of the law. |
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Ebra
Gambia
268 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2006 : 20:22:37
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| Good example is Sheriff Daba Dibba who wanted to raise the motion of impreaching the president but he has dance to his tune. This is a lesson to all sundries, that if you are hired you ought to go by Jammeh's policy. If you differ then you will be fired and then prosecuted, those trying to undermine this regime will pay for the price. "Operation system change" is no its way coming, whereby all the civil servants will be accountable to their deeds. No fear or favor, anyone whose performance is below standard will be fire and jail. The reason of any of them occupying those positions is to deliver good outcome. Big surprise is waiting. This is no joke for real. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2006 : 21:21:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Ebra
Good example is Sheriff Daba Dibba who wanted to raise the motion of impreaching the president but he has dance to his tune. This is a lesson to all sundries, that if you are hired you ought to go by Jammeh's policy. If you differ then you will be fired and then prosecuted, those trying to undermine this regime will pay for the price. "Operation system change" is no its way coming, whereby all the civil servants will be accountable to their deeds. No fear or favor, anyone whose performance is below standard will be fire and jail. The reason of any of them occupying those positions is to deliver good outcome. Big surprise is waiting. This is no joke for real.
I think this where we have to part. Our roads seem to run parallel here. Will Operation System Change also start from the top going down or is it a one way traffic that leads to other people's closets? |
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Ebra
Gambia
268 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2006 : 22:50:40
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| Yap it will flow top down. Jammeh will be evaluated first and then nobody will be spared |
Edited by - Ebra on 27 Sep 2006 22:52:22 |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2006 : 23:14:00
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| if he will not hijack the commision reports then so shall be written and so shall it be done. |
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Solution
29 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2006 : 00:04:26
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A term limit represents a fundamental pillar in any democratic society. Having on person to rule for who knows when is never a good idea. I don't buy the idea that the term limit system is not working in Africa. Look at Nigeria or even Ghana.
Saying no to a term limit represents a strong YES to a one party system which undoubtedly leads to poor governance.
It would be to interest of the nation for Gambians to push for a term limit. |
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Ebra
Gambia
268 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2006 : 01:38:49
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Which state is a real demcracy society? As far as the electorates want any person to lead them why not. We do not have to buy all the western ideology. The way our country to be rule should mingle with our norms and some western style. Saudi Arabia is a secular state but that does not made them hostile, undemocratic, or whatever you might call it. Libya has developed drastically but they don't practice western democracy. There all tones of state like that, as far as you are able to deliver what the electorates needs then why change. Lets remember the Mandinka saying " When in a river don't leave the fish in hand for the one underneath your leg".
I want to let all the readers that 99% of the all the sectors in the Gambia had made tremendous acheivements during Yaya's regime. "DANGAN DANKA MO DAY GAPPA GOLO". Time for all the youths in the forum living outside Gambia to come back and contribute his/her quotas. One cannot be sitting eating Burger trying to brainwash us NI NA NI NA and not willing to be here to struggle together. NO BABOON WORK MONKEY EAT. |
Edited by - Ebra on 28 Sep 2006 01:44:06 |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2006 : 02:18:55
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| Ebra you seem to have a character that oscillates back and forth. |
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Ebra
Gambia
268 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2006 : 03:02:53
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Oscillation, in physics, chemistry, engineering, humanity,is reasoning truth is the repeated motion back and forth past a central neutral position, or position of equilibrium. A single motion from one extreme position to the other and back, passing through the neutral position twice, is called a cycle. Yep am like that I don't support any single party, but follow the truth no matter whether is or against anyone, so to better susbtantial my point is that (SOCEITY NEEDS TO BE RUN BY THOSE WHOM THEY VOTED IN NO MATTER WHAT, AS FAR AS THEIR NEEDS ARE BEEN DELIVERED AS EXPECTED). When one deviates then the law thats it course.
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Edited by - Ebra on 28 Sep 2006 03:06:49 |
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Ebra
Gambia
268 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2006 : 03:33:15
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| Remember the winners are those voted in to run the affairs of the state including making laws. So thereby the laws are be geared towards what the winners approved. That is the rules of Government in which Jammeh is the Big boss. Like your company if you hire someone and the employee did not go according to your company rules you fire him/her period. OPPOSITIONO BUKA LAFII BANKO LAKAIROO LA. Opposition civil servants will not likely to perform their job rightly than the ruling party's sympathizer. |
Edited by - Ebra on 28 Sep 2006 03:49:53 |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2006 : 08:33:22
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Democracy is an important principle if you want people to feel they have a stake in their country. EVERY Gambian person should be registered to vote.
The issue of not being able to travel home to vote is an important one, as perhaps many of those working in kombos would have been voting for the opposition parties? Perhaps there could be a postal vote? Or an online vote? Or perhaps a nominated person could vote on your behalf?
Ebra, the prime minister is in charge of the day to day running of the country and he or she is democratically elected. The Queen is a figure head. If we didnt have the Queen then we would need to have a President. I'm not a monarchist but wonder if a President would be any better? Perhaps in a modern democratic country that is the way we should be heading...... Like wise if we have a house of lords as a second chamber then I dont think there should be ANY hereditary peers. Democracys should also be meritocracys.
Sorry must dash now..off to work. Will catch up at weekend. |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2006 : 10:03:52
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Democracies vary from country to country. The democracy in Europe is different from U.S, Latin Americas, Africa and other parts of the wolrd! We are just trying to norture a proper democracy and /or ideal democracy for THE GAMBIA!
Any room for improvement?
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2006 : 12:46:50
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Come on Gambiabev the postal services in Gambia are far too expensive and unreliable to send postal votes through, and the electricity supply isn't reliable enough for online voting. In order for these systems to work the government has to continue its infrastructural development to catch up in these areas. Let's remember Gambia is developing its infrastructure whereas Britain has developed its infrastructure already. I'd also like to pick you up on your point "the prime minister is in charge of the day to day running of the country and he or she is democratically elected." This won't be a true statement after Blair resigns his post as Prime Minister because if and when Brown replaces because none of the British Voters elected him during the election, they only elected The Labour Party and Blair as the Leader not Gordon Brown. I agree with Ebra that there is no state in the world which is a true democracy.
Peace
Sister Omega. |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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