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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Apr 2006 : 03:10:00
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Interview with Halifa
Foroyaa: What is the current situation of NADD?
Halifa: NADD is on course. It has elected a new Chairperson after the resignation of Mr. Assan Musa Camara. His name will be revealed in a press conference to be held very soon. We have also divided the country into eight zones. The political action in each zone shall be coordinated by a member of the executive.
Supporters of NADD in each of the zones are being organized into groups to sensitize, mobilize and organize the masses. The youths are increasingly taking part in our campaign. This is very inspiring.
Foroyaa: What about the split? Some claim that Mr. Assan Musa Camara is supporting the other side.
Halifa: Mr. Camara has earned the respect of NADD and those who were in NADD. He has informed all sides that he would want to retain the respect he is accorded by all sides, by not taking sides.
Foroyaa: How do you see the present security climate vis a vis political activities?
Halifa: It is important for political parties to continue normal political activity to ensure a situation of normalcy. It should be born in mind that the sovereignty of the country resides in the people. A country becomes unstable when the people become disoriented and petrified. Coups d#146;etat are power struggles from the top.
The people are left to take sides. The real struggle is to empower the people. Hence supporters of NADD should never have hope that some one will come to emancipate them. They are saviours of themselves. Their votes constitute their power and authority to say how their country is governed. The people must prove that they are in charge. Then no one will have the audacity to impose their will on them.
Foroyaa: How do you think the security situation could be normalized?
Halifa: Relaxation! Relaxation!! Relaxation!!!. There is no need for alarm or panic. NADD will launch its revised manifesto at the end of April, constitute the embryo of its shadow cabinet in May and start to translate the principles of its manifesto into concrete policies in June. We are working very hard to meet the targets set.
Foroyaa: How active are you on the ground?
Halifa: Our structures are being put in place. We put the structures and then hold rallies to gauge the public response. We are working very hard in priority areas to build structures. We are planning to hold rallies in three given areas for people to gauge our progress. We want to be very systematic and practical in our approach. No political entity can make headway without community based structures that will sustain its sensitization, mobilization and organization of the masses.
We want to combine mass mobilization approaches through rallies and community based approaches by building activist fora in all communities. We want NADD to be owned because of its goals by the people instead of being accepted because of charismatic leadership.
Foroyaa: Recently the majority leader spoke angrily about your absence in a visit by the National Assembly Authority to the State House. Can you explain what is going on?
Halifa: Well, Churchill Baldeh has the propensity to turn non issues into major issues. I remember, after the Ex SoS for Agriculture Mr. Sulayman Mboob was removed, he said at the National Assembly that he should be shot. The speaker had to ask him to withdraw his statement. He has propensity to go into extremes in words but settles down immediately after his outbursts. He should not be taken seriously nor should he offend any supporter of NADD.
Foroyaa: It is an issue any way and you need to react.
Halifa: The National Assembly Authority comprises the speaker, the majority leader, the minority leader and two other members of the National Assembly. The Authority is responsible for exercising supervision, direction and control of the affairs of the National Assembly Service.
It is of course not proper to divulge what goes on in our meeting. However, I have no option but to reveal that when it was mentioned that the Authority is scheduled to meet the President I asked them further opinions on the main issues to be discussed. They indicated that they would want to discuss about the building of a New Assembly complex. I could not imagine myself, at this very Juncture when members of the Pan African Parliament could not even attend committee meetings in South Africa because of shortage of funds, that I will go and face a President just to raise an issue regarding the building of a National Assembly complex. To make the visit relevant I made recommendations, which were accepted unanimously. I then asked them whether there will be media coverage of the visit and they responded that they had no control of what would happen at the State House. I declined going because of the unpredictability of what approach the discussion could take. You would agree that submissive and praising approaches could only undermine my integrity. I wanted to see the approach they would take before deciding what to do subsequently.
Foroyaa: What next?
Halifa: Well I congratulate Churchill for helping to sensitize the nation that the National Assembly Authority is above partisan consideration. Since my absence as a minority leader was felt when I attend in subsequent meetings people will not misunderstand my presence at the State House.
In politics there must be fences between opposition and ruling party. What is important is to open doors for consultation and collaboration without being seen to be capitulating. I respect his right to be angry. I will exercise my right to explain why it was necessary to use my good judgment in the absence of an agenda for discussing that was befitting a National Assembly Authority.
Foroyaa: How about the security situation?
Halifa: The reports of escapes are raising concerns. I strongly feel that the people want to put the incident behind them. The fact that the President did not raise the issue in his address to the National Assembly served the purpose of not heating up the political temperature. The people are also running about their businesses. The matter seems to be a military affair. Apparently, most Gambians are looking up to the 2006 elections and are more concerned with the splits in the parties than threats of coups. However, how the situation is handled will lead to greater stability on instability. In my view, speedy investigations and speedy trials may help to promote a situation of normalcy. This should be buttressed by respect for fundamental rights and freedoms and activation of the inter party committee talks to strengthen the democratic structure to give hope to the people that only change brought by their power is one that can lead to the consolidation and preservation of democracy. It is our common responsibility to engage in peace building.
Foroyaa: What advice do you want to give to the public?
Halifa: Relaxation! Relaxation!! Relaxation!!! The alarmist approach of submissive elements elects in the society only breed instability. Vigilance should be tempered by calmness and calculativeness. We must all be interested in the pursuit of facts and justice without sacrificing the essence of building a free and open society. I also hope that the famous programme run by Malick Jones, will engage the minority and majority leader this Saturday. I challenge Churchill to a National debate on the issue.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 26/2006, 6-9 April, 2006
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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bamba
Sweden
401 Posts |
Posted - 06 Apr 2006 : 20:00:17
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| Keep it up Momodou, please keep supplying us with Foroyaa as often as posible. Observer online is now bogus. |
Bamba |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 06 Apr 2006 : 20:26:33
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| Thats the political messiah of the motherland . Halifa is a name or title that normally further inspire knowledge, authority and leadership qualities accorded to his name-sake; no other than prominent Islamic scolar and spiritual leader Halif Mawdo Malick "Daa Baah Rek" . However praise singing have no place in pollitics but Halifa Sallah is well inform and ready for the challenge. |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 06 Apr 2006 : 21:42:05
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Can you (Administrators of Banataba) appeal and arrange with the local news media and Gambia dailies especially The Point, Independent, Forayaa and the Observer (if they can manifest its independence) to provide apace, a full page or half to highlight our general political discussions on selected hot topics and current issues in Gambian politics as comments from abroad. In this way Darboe and Hamat will get our message to rally under one banner for the election 2006 which is at stake. Let Darboe and Hamat Bah inform their supporters to rally behind NADDs flarbearer. For they cannot give us nothing better than what is envisaged in this extract from Halifa's interview
Quote starts:-
"The real struggle is to empower the people. Hence supporters of NADD should never have hope that some one will come to emancipate them. They are saviours of themselves. Their votes constitute their power and authority to say how their country is governed. The people must prove that they are in charge. Then no one will have the audacity to impose their will on them."
Quote ends.
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salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 07 Apr 2006 : 09:31:05
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| Kobo, good idea but we haven`t reach that level of political maturity. If any paper print such messages that would be end of you. |
Edited by salimina |
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