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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
 Posted - 12 Oct 2006 : 19:24:46
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Gambians from all walks of life need to immediately start an intense debate about the need for a term limit for the presidency. The media , the opposition parties , and the civil society need to synchronize their voices in this regard to urgently save our country. If the Gambia must survive as a vibrant democracy , it must have a term limit for the presidency. We the people must ask for this. In politics you do not get much if you do not ask for anything .
A term limit in the Gambia will provide many benefits to the growth of democracy and development to our people. Among the many , here are a few :
A safe exit for the president , so that he and subsequent presidents may be able to live in the country(and contribute) with respect and dignity as ex-presidents. African presidents do not always have to live in exile after they are booted out of power because they overstayed.
It will also reduce or eliminate the daily risk of armed conflict due to military coups and attempted military coups.
It will help inject new leadership and new ideas into the government regularly to sustain stability and steady development.
It will safe guard the right of every Gambian to dissent, contest and get elected in public office.
It will also strenghten political parties , so that parties move away from being individual-centered to being policy-centered. This is important in the sense that after Jammeh leaves his development programs for which he is highly applauded can still be pursued by future leadres of APRC.
It will encourage the independence of the legislature and the judiciary , and therefore reduce corruption and flagrant abuse of power. The sad case of Duta Kamaso ( a national assembly member dismissed from an elected post , arrested , possibly tortured and detained indefinately without charge) does noy have to be repeated.
Daniel Arap Moi used to remark that if he leaves power Kenya will sink into chaos. Can you imagine if Jammeh abruptly departs the political scene due to incapacitation (death or some form of infirmity). There will be such a huge power vacuum that the Gambia could sink into complete chaos similar to that seen in the Ivory Coast after Houphet Boigney , despite Ivory Coast's outstanding economic superiority in Africa at the time.The same could have happened in the case of Jawara before his ouster by the military. We could have witnessed an unimaginable power struggle between the B.B. Darboe and Saikou Sabally camp that could literally tear the country apart.
Jawara was more consensus oriented as a leader while Jammeh is more task oriented , but Jammeh's achievements , if any, in the past twelve years proves the benefits of political change.
When a group of disgruntled junior officers of the Gambia National Army, GNA took over in 1994 , many scholars called it " the end of an era " , " the end of one of Afica's longest serving democracies". Yet the coup received widespread support from the Gambia's civil society. The last years of Jawara's regime witnessed mounting corruption , unprecedented economic downturn, and the inability to bring to justice those implicated in the AMRC report , notably Saikou Ceesay , Ousainou Njie ; and Momodou Dibba of the Gambia Cooperative Union. These scandals resulted in elevated public disaffection. The GNA , already alienatedfrom the from the PPP by regime by a wall of Nigerian soldiers ( who continued to guard the president.Jawara didn't trust his own soldiers anymore.) took advantage of the widespread civil discontent and acted decisively without bloodshed.Therefore , two broad factors have been identified to have led to the ouster of Jawara and PPP. They are army reasons and societal reasons.The army reasons include the personal ambitions of the soldiers for power , promotions , and better pay. The fact that scores of junior officers were promoted from leutenants to captains and Jammeh himself from leutenant to colonel confirms the underlying army reasons for the coup of 1994.
But the military's action was encouraged and sometimes appeared to have been solicited by the civilian population who became fed up with PPP's long years of power amidst growing poverty and corruption.It was certainly clear that there was trouble in paradise , yet Jawara continued to cling to power.
Now twelve years after the coup of 1994 Jammeh continues to hold onto power and shows no sign of leaving soon. He has just won a third five-year term in another highly controversial election that produced the lowest voter turnout in Gambia's post-independent history. Why did nearly half of Gambian voters did not come out to vote is anyone's guess , but despite Jammeh's impressive infrastructural development poverty continues to rise , unemployment remains high , and the rule of law once taken for granted is a fleeting illusion in Gambia today. It is indeed "sad times" for "Gambian democracy" if I may invoke K.M. Suwareh's paper following the coup of 1994.
For forty one years of her post-independence existence elections only served the purpose of the ruling government in the Gambia and most of Africa.It is a shame that elections cannot change government , not even once. THis is very troubling about our electoral system that continued to be run by people hand-picked by the president , reshuffled , arrested and detained by the APRC regime. Sir Dawda's alleged admission that he rigged elections twice to deny NCP victory is further testimony that the Gambia's electoral process leaves much to be desired.
Following Jammeh's victory on September 22 , others have argued in favor of a one party state. This will be a dissaster for the Gambia. A one Party system is contrary to the ideas of freedoms of speech and political assembly.
Finally , I hope the opposition come together and take on Jammeh vigorously in the coming parliamentary elections , and utilize the term limit agenda in their campaign.
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2006 : 23:29:41
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Brother KayJatta,
Thanks for a very illuminating and heart-touching piece. You are indeed a caller. The job of a caller is only to pronounce the truth to the people. When the message is received, those that will heed to it will be salvaged.
Keep up the good work. Get us another poem as time permits you.
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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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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2006 : 00:42:12
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Kobo,
i read your reference carefully. Don't forget it is from Duul Observer.
But yes. The oppositions had a bitter a lesson. I hope they will learn from it. |
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2006 : 01:21:30
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I don't think so Dalton 1. These are opinions and facts on the ground. The opposition cannot be aggressive in Gambian politics as they missed their golden opportunities and are now a mockery to Gambian democracy. There are some positive notes to realised that the political lanscape has changed, average Gambians are more politically aware, Jammeh has done laudable developments and is appreciative, the opposition parties have been decapitated natinowide, Jammeh democratically elected and the need to realised that they should not shun current government in the present new era (for next five years) but should try to reconciled themselves on NATINONAL UNITY and addressed certain lapses, weaknesses by tabling alterantives, new tasks and challenges for NOW JAMMEH AND APRC ARE MATURE FOR HANDLING STATE AFFAIRS OVER A DECAD, THEY HAVE BEEN OUTPACED SERIOUSLY AND GRADUALLY MAKING THEM MORE UNPOPULAR, INEFFECTIVE AND REDUNDANT (BY NOT CONTRIBUTING NOTHING IN POLICY ISSUES)!!! Think about all the points mentioned and assess them? Any prospects? NO is the answer! Any future? No again! Resaons for NO! is that they have outlived their purpose of which they were intended to live up to expectations, in my opinion. A proper housekeeping is required and complete overhaul of all opposition parties and to make them all defunct as their present leaderships and the parties themselves are TOTALLY WEAK, LACKED THE IDEOLOGIES, STRATEGIES, TACTICS, CRUDE OR OUTDATED IN STYLE AND CANNOT ABSOLUTELY MAKE ANY IMPACT IN GAMBIAN POLITICS.
ONLY A NEW BRAND, NEW VISIONS, NEW POLICIES, NEW STRATEGIES AND NEW BREED OF LEADERSHIP CAN HELP SAVE GAMBIAN DEMOCRACY. However thats a challenge for STGDP to do another homework. Your package NADD was a very fragile product and WAS NOT HANDLED WITH CARE! In my opinion I consider ALL PRESENT OPPOSITION PARTIES (including NADD) DEAD AND FAILURES, therefore RE-CREATE from your factory of Gambian intellectual based lobby group, political activists, supporters and sympathisers.
Good luck guys with new resolutions! |
Edited by - kobo on 14 Oct 2006 01:57:23 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2006 : 10:34:08
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In addition to the above the future of Gambian democracy is very gloomy as the tendency of having a one party state in principle is already in the making for forthcoming parliamentary elections. Do the opposition parties have good contenders to turn things around? I don't think so under present circumstances and if they don;t have the resources they may eventaually consider boycout. What impact or effects would a total boycout of parliamentary elections have in Gambian democracy?
I would therefore recommend to admin@gambia.dk opinion polls whether boycout of the parliamentary elections makes sense or not? Should the opposition parties consider boycout of the elections on basis of their petitions for "free and a fair level of playing field" and independence of IEC amongst other lapses?
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Edited by - kobo on 15 Oct 2006 00:58:33 |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2006 : 13:28:57
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Maybe more Independents coukd run on specific issues to create a more varied mix for parliamentary elections as part of opposition. The national Assembly needs to have representatives divergent views. It would be political sucide for the opposition as weak as it is to boycott the NA elections, if anything they should be prudent enough to learn from their past mistake and at least show the public they have thae ability to stand up for their principles. If not Gambia will be a one party state by default.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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Cornelius
Sweden
1051 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2006 : 13:45:53
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to Kobo & Co :
“a total boycott” ? What shall we have in its place?
In theory it can be dreamed about, but you know that a total boycott is impossible in practice. At least one Alhaji is going to vote for himself as the saying goes, “If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?" (Hillel)
There was a 59% voter turn out this last election, about 40% consciously or inadvertently boycotted the election which Dr. Jammeh won.
Which kind of interest groups or people boycotted and to what or whose advantage?
If they had all voted ( 100% voter turn out instead of a deliberate boycott) what difference would it have made?
Nobody knows, but everybody subscribes to that Jesus parable which can be applied to the oppositions’ house building in theory and practice:
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
( Said first Jesus, then Abraham Lincoln.)
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=Gambia%3A+a+disunited+Opposition&prssweb=Search&ei=UTF-8&fr=slv2-&x=wrt
This sure puts the president on top:
http://allafrica.com/stories/200610130776.html
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Edited by - Cornelius on 14 Oct 2006 13:52:12 |
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dbaldeh
USA
934 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2006 : 00:39:59
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I still have hope the political dynamics for change in the Gambia is still alive and well. Although the electorates have convincingly voted for Jammeh, there remained a great disastisfaction among the populace both in the economic and political front.
The fact that over 40% of registered voters refused to vote shows voter apathy and disapproval of the Jammeh regime. The 67% that voted for him did so either in fear or victimisation or self protection in disguise in the name of supporting the president. There are obviously others who voted for their pockets because they and theirs have a share of the cake.
The fact is that Majority of those who voted in one way or the other have fallen victims to the Jammeh regime.
Some have been fired from their jobs, Jailed, disgraced in front of the whole nation only to be reinstated..
Others have close or extended family members, friends, and coworkers who have disappeared, arrested, and tortured in the name of corruption.
Some have lost their jobs, houses, and everything they owned to the Jammeh regime through so called commissions of inquiry (robbery)..
Several have been robbed of their fundamental basis human rights due to lack of freedom of expression and association.
Others have become victims of foreign activist judges who have hijacked our judicial system in the name of defending the government.
Thousands of other Gambians live in fear of being the next in line to be paraded on national TV for corruption and be replaced by their subordinates.
Hundreds of young and experienced service personnel are in Jail without charges in the name of state security. Other soldiers have been summarily excuted but yet claimed to be at large by the government
Thousands of Gambian civil servants; teachers, nurses, doctors, judges, security personnel etc are paid below the standard of living wage that can sustain their daily bread and butter.
Thousands of students leave school at grade nine and twelve without technical institutions to attend, or jobs and the unemployment rate and inflation is at its highest in the history of the country.
Thousands more Gambians are in exile leaving their love ones for years in fear of being prosecuted by the government.
Now the question, how in the world can the majority of Gambians be satisfied with the Jammeh regime? Regardless of the infrastructural developement, are these factors not more important in peoples' lives that ghost hospital buildings, schools etc.
How can there be lack of public discontent with the administration under such circumstances? Are we not back to the Jawara days where Gambians have given up on the fact that elections can change the regime?
The fact is that because of a naive oppositon, the people were presented with no other choice but to abstain or vote for the incumbent.
I strongly belief the political atmosphere is still ripe for a strong political change in the Gambia. There is still an opportunity for democracy to florish in the Gambia within this decade. A new and fresh political ideas of dynamic force is the only alternative. Unfortunately for Gambia without this force, the option is a military take over which is always a disaster for a young democracy like ours.
I hope and pray that the President will use this five years to strengthen his human rights records and freedom of expression for the Gambian people. I hope he will realize the most viable peaceful option to political change is still the best option for him and the country. I wish and hope that he seek for forgiveness and forgive his opponents in the name of national reconcilliation. Anything short of this, the future cannot be bright.
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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 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2006 : 10:57:11
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Is boycout of elections by the opposition parties a good option or effective manifestation to challenge the authorities for radical changes to the electoral system and Gambian democracy; based on certain lapses, questions of integrity, foul play under a free and fair level playing field or to exposed and addressed whatever weaknesses and reservations they petitioned on the electoral system before they can come back to the political arena? The opposition risks relying on an MOU, integrity of IEC, the national media and the authorities to contest the presidential elections. After the shocking results they started crying foul play and showing a different attitude. Sould you encourage them to take another sucidal decision, to formally blessed a so-called one party state in principle as no one is allowed to be against APRC; urbanwise, ruralwise, townwise and villagewise. Thats part of the norms of Gambian democracy. What another mockery to them if they lost massive number of seats and they gain one or two seats; as a lot of factors including their dis-unity is absolutely against them.
There were certain weaknesses against the opposition parties including political victimisations. Do we need soldiers and law enforcement agencies to favour one party only to the extent of wearing banners, chanting and dancing at the expense of taxpayers? We expect to see impartiality and the spirit of professionalism, patriotism and national duty to overule. In Gambian politics and democracy you are considered an enemy against the state if you are a vibrant or vocal opposition politician and opposition party supporters are subjected to harassment, torture, arbitary arrests and detentions. In my opinion, the opposition parties should consider certain resolutions and draw out a comprehensive package of conditions and petitions including release of all political victims, before they can participate in any parliamentary elections. Its an opportunity for them to marshalled and revived from all their setbacks for the shocking results of the presidential elections.
Think within the political climate as certain actions and manifestations are voluntarily done TO CHANGE OR IMPROVE THE SYSTEM!!!If this option is unanimously taken it would be a bitter lesson for the authorities to improve, make rectifications and amendments by next elections term under a better "free and fair" atmosphere as other stakeholders especially the International community are watching! Let the opposition parties exploit this final opportunity to threaten boycout if certain conditions are not met rather taking risks again, only to suffer more setbacks and their supporters victimised over and over again as they (opposition parties) cannot guarantee their (supporters) safety. Lately look how Rambo, Duta kassama (formerly in good terms with APRC) and other families are desparate today for the sake of freedom of choice and association under Gambian politics. If the national assembly elections is a done deal, THERE SHALL BE NO COURSE FOR FURTHER COMPLAINTS OR CRYING FOUL AGAIN LIKE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS!
If the conditions are ideal, favourable or promising for them (opposition parties); and they do have good contenders for a good contests they can go for it for the national assembly elections.
On a final note, it is left to the opposition parties and their leaders to decide and decisively on conditional boycout or what's best for them politically, strategically and tactically!
Refer to Bantaba opinion polls for the votes by members!
God bless the Gambia!
PEACE! |
Edited by - kobo on 16 Oct 2006 16:23:29 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11833 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2006 : 12:18:31
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quote:
Originally posted by kobo
On a final note, it is left to the opposition parties and their leaders to decide and decisively on boycout or what's best for them strategically and tactically!
Refer to Bantaba opinion polls for the votes by members!
Disclaimer:
"The polls are not scientific and reflects the opinions of only those Bantaba users and visitors who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of Bantaba users in general, nor the public as a whole."
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2006 : 13:28:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Momodou
quote:
Originally posted by kobo
On a final note, it is left to the opposition parties and their leaders to decide and decisively on boycout or what's best for them strategically and tactically!
Refer to Bantaba opinion polls for the votes by members!
Disclaimer:
"The polls are not scientific and reflects the opinions of only those Bantaba users and visitors who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of Bantaba users in general, nor the public as a whole."
We are aware and do acknowledged that fact. However, in my opinion it is interesting to sound opinions randomly, independently, privately and confidentialy accross interested participants from Bantaba members. The feedback from those opinion polls assist us with our debates as a closed group within frontiers of Bantaba. Does it leaked beyond Bantaba borders? I don't know!!!
As members we share our opinions on general issues under various forums of Bantaba. To add to the disclaimer, its an adult website and maturity counts to be versertile, enjoy maximum benefits and usage of facilities openly available to members!!!! Its not a child's play business for me. It is enjoyable if debates are genuine and vibrant otherwise a waste of resources, time, costs, efforts and boring!
"GREAT MINDS DISCUSS ISSUES!"
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Edited by - kobo on 16 Oct 2006 13:53:42 |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2006 : 18:44:58
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quote:
Originally posted by kobo
quote:
Originally posted by Momodou
quote:
Originally posted by kobo
On a final note, it is left to the opposition parties and their leaders to decide and decisively on boycout or what's best for them strategically and tactically!
Refer to Bantaba opinion polls for the votes by members!
Disclaimer:
"The polls are not scientific and reflects the opinions of only those Bantaba users and visitors who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of Bantaba users in general, nor the public as a whole."
We are aware and do acknowledged that fact. However, in my opinion it is interesting to sound opinions randomly, independently, privately and confidentialy accross interested participants from Bantaba members. The feedback from those opinion polls assist us with our debates as a closed group within frontiers of Bantaba. Does it leaked beyond Bantaba borders? I don't know!!!
As members we share our opinions on general issues under various forums of Bantaba. To add to the disclaimer, its an adult website and maturity counts to be versertile, enjoy maximum benefits and usage of facilities openly available to members!!!! Its not a child's play business for me. It is enjoyable if debates are genuine and vibrant otherwise a waste of resources, time, costs, efforts and boring!
"GREAT MINDS DISCUSS ISSUES!"
No Kobo.
Great minds dont discuss issues. They discuss ideas. Average minds discuss issues. |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2006 : 19:35:25
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quote:
Originally posted by kondorong
No Kobo.
Great minds dont discuss issues. They discuss ideas. Average minds discuss issues.
Thanks Kondorong. Missed the POINT! GREAT MINDS DISCUSS IDEAS! AVERAGE MINDS DISCUSS ISSUES! However a third point is missing! |
Edited by - kobo on 16 Oct 2006 21:05:30 |
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