(JollofNews)- “Halifa Sallah Calls Out Barrow’s Ministers As He Exposes Plans To Reintroduce Another Dictatorship!”
Apparent this “dictatorship” will come about because Barrow’s Executive is supporting certain party candidates for the Parliamentary Elections!
That argument is completely nonsensical because in every democracy without exception (USA, UK, Europe, India, etc) the Executive support candidates from its party for the Legislature – and the members of the Legislature who belong to the same party as the Executive will be required to support the Executive’s Legislative Programme.
Pa Mbai of freedomnewspaper: “According Mr. Sallah, there cannot be true and functional democracy if the Executive is openly trying to control the narrative at the Legislature. He said the Executive and the Legislature should operate independently”.
Well, according to Mr. Sallah then there is no “true and functional democracy” anywhere in the world!
Mr. Sallah: “This was not why we wanted change. The old government was doing the same thing”.
Well, the old government also murdered its citizens! The “Executive” in democratic UK “openly controls the narrative at the Legislature” – infact the UK Government is in-charge of “the narrative of the Legislature”, as are all party-based democracies in Europe.
Wherever you have a “Ruling Party” that party and its government are in-charge of the Legislative Programme. In the USA, as with Trump, the Executive appoints the Supreme Court and other judges – and even fires 46 public prosecutors appointed by Obama today.
Halifa: “Under the constitution, the Executive in power can fire MPS not serving its interest or toeing to its dictates”.
Yes, Halifa, this is not desirable, as is the appointment of The Speaker by the Executive – from nominated MPs. So, why did you not push for these parts of the Constitution to be changed too? “Nominated MPs” should be abolished and The Speaker should be voted for by Parliament without the involvement of the Executive.
Halifa: “If we have Ministers in this new government trying to prop up MPS, that they can micromanage or manipulate, then what are they up to? This is contrary to why we wanted change of political leadership”.
Well, Halfa, party-based democracy involves very much the “executive micromanaging” the party in the Legislature. In UK, the Prime Minister calls recalcitrant MPs into her Parliamentary Office one at a time to tell them “vote with the government in this matter or your carrier is over!”. Yep, Halifa, democracy is as brutal as that!
Of course, the Prime Minister will be opposed by the Opposition who then go on to win a majority of MPs in an election and become the government. That is democracy.
Pa Mbai: “Mr. Sallah also sent his critics to the cleaners. He said those spewing false information painting him and the PDOIS as enemies of President Barrow are up to no good. He said the PDOIS will never act against the interest of Gambians and democracy”.
Indeed Halifa, but you have just said that President Barrow’s government wants to bring back “dictatorship”! – just because they want to have a Parliamentary majority in order to be able to govern!!
Halifa: “The PDOIS is not against president Barrow. Those saying Halifa wants to use the House to fight Barrow, are just afraid of the truth. If they believe in the truth, they shouldn’t be afraid of Halifa or the PDOIS. Now it is evident that their primary goal is to have a House that they can control. That’s against the principles of separation of powers,”
Well Halifa, ALL democratic governments want “a Legislature” the Ruling Party and its President can control. Tell me if the USA, UK, Europe or India are any different!
In conclusion: “Separation of Powers” between the Legislature and the Excutive does not exist anywhere under a party-based democracy. It is incorrect ans sensationalist to accuse Barrow and his party of “wanting to introduce a dictatorship” just because Barrow and his ministers are campaigning for a Parliamentary Majority. Halifa can only have a truly “independent” Legislature if he can put together a majority of MPs opposed to Barrow’s Government – in which case Parliament can impeach Barrow and make Halifa (the “independent” Speaker) the President!
Mr Halake you seem to have it in for Halifa. Don’t know what he has done to you but you have suddenly become his attack dog. You will look at every chance to bite him. Your attack is as shallow as your analysis. Two points to rebut your acerbic attack on Halifa. Firstly, you have misconstrued Halifa’s point. The purpose of the coalition is to put party differences aside and create a democratic platform during this transitional period. This was what was agreed when they set up the coalition in November last year. To wit some party leaders for selfish interest have abandoned this plan. Secondly, your argument that Halifa will want to use the parliament to impeach Barrow and makes himself president is far-fetch and ridiculous. That’s the stuff of conspiracy theories. Stick to the issues and stop the personal attack.
Pity YOU haven’t “stuck to the issues” MM! The issue is Halifa crying “dictatorship” from the roof-tops because he thinks he will not get many MPs in Parlaiment without a piggy-back from the Coalition. My point is this: Halifa can’t shout “dictatorship” just because Barrow and his party are following democratic norms. I am sorry if my rebuttal to Halifa hurts your feelings – but as Gambians foremost intellectual he should be putting forward much better arguments for his claimed “dictatorship”! Finally, there is nothing “sudden” about the Halake-Halifa Rumble – we go back many years. Enjoy, I think there may be more to come!
I omitted to add that the comparisons with governments in UK and USA are irrelevant because those are not coalition governments. In each case, one party won the elections and is the ruling party.
MM, I agree with you. There is no “ruling party”. The present government is a coalition and the President had to stand as an Independent candidate for him to be elected; he had to resign from his former party. Notwithstanding (and regretfully so), I think that individual members of the Cabinet can support their respective parties, but the President cannot ally with any one for the duration of his mandate.
On a different point, I applaud Minuster Jawo for exposing the abuse of power that was about to be committed by those who wanted to use government vehicles for election campaigning. This is what will happen if a particular party claims a coalition government as its own. The public needs to be vigilant to identify such abuses and report them.
MM i cannot agree you with more on this.Halake has suddenly become the master interpreter of our constitution and a self-sponsored analyst for Halifa.
For peace and progress leave the personal attacks on my hero.
Over simplified analysis of a very complicated process. I am surprised this coalition even sits in the same room,,,For that we should be greatful.
President Barrow needs to assert his mandate and authority,,,if any member of the coalition cannot follow his leadership,, they should consider which is more important. The coalition or there own interests.Threats and counter threats are not an option.
Meanwhile the Executive must be supported for the promised three years.
Well Dida, here’s where I’d opt to differ with my pal. The statement below amounts to, in my view, shooting yourself in the foot with innuendos that could be derived from the overall narrative.
Dida’s statement:
“Well, Halifa, party-based democracy involves very much the “executive micromanaging” the party in the Legislature. In UK, the Prime Minister calls recalcitrant MPs into her Parliamentary Office one at a time to tell them “vote with the government in this matter or your carrier is over!”. Yep, Halifa, democracy is as brutal as that”!
However Dida, brutal democracy does relegate decorum and honesty to the sidelines as obtains in modern democracies. Do you agree to that?
Also, the executive micro-managing the legislature doesn’t represent the ideal but the exigent, pragmatic and self serving way of reaching political goals (usually term agendas) at all costs.
Certainly politics is a dirty game as all seasoned politicians (lying hounds) know that but that doesn’t make for the art of dirty tricks and machinations being the order of the day. Also doesn’t imply that good people cannot act selflessly to correct the wrongs in the dispensation of modern day democracy!
The founding fathers of US style democracy designed the system of checks and balances precisely to get the system working in the ideal manner but just as in the U.K., US and India, we find no shortage of smart politicians, businessmen and lawyers benefiting from ample avenues and loopholes to achieve executive or party agendas. That doesn’t in any way tell that the foregoing democracies, albeit vibrant, denote true democratic principles at work in the interest of the very people, by the people and of the people!
Halifa has been known and proven to have worked tirelessly over the last 30 years or more to point out anomalies in governance in The Gambia. For a start, the PDOIS Newspaper is much older than the Daily Observer (Kenneth Best’s) that preceded the “Observer” that you worked for in The Gambia, Halifa is also known to have declined numerous offers of appointment to political office by the numskull, Yaya Jammeh but flatly refused to do so. We can say what we will about Halifa Sallah and I’ve offered a few words of choice myself but the fact remains that we cannot question his dedication to principle or his personal integrity.
The Gambia has always needed and still direly needs folks that will speak truth to the establishment and powers that be. Not folks with hidden agendas that, in their simple minds believe that only themselves and God hold the secrets but lo and behold, their intentions can be read from afar by alert and discerning minds!
And yes, Halifa is adept at wearing out his sparring partners with his tenacity and effusive nature but overall, he’s a good man and a great Gambian at that! Now I sound like I’m holding the water for Halifa but I must quickly say that I belong to a different political shade!
I am going to stop short of saying that you, Dida, may have a hidden agenda in this political dispensation and that you may be reading Gambian political tea leaves and Gambians wrong!!
Dida, let’s not get into arguments for the sake of argument or dissenting for the sake of dissenting but work to uphold the truth, tell fact from fiction. For once, you come across as an good agent for creating “The Storm in the Teacup”!! Haha!
Ha, Ha, Ha! Lol. Andrew, your analysis of the IDEAL Separation of Powers is correct – but we are dealing with reality. As you say, the “smart politicians, businessmen and lawyers” may have corrupted the USA, UK, EU, etc systems … but those are the systems that set the yard-stick for “democracy” across the world today.
BUT COME ON Andrew: “Dictatorship by Barrow/UDP if they get a majority in Parliament”?? Surely, THAT IS “a storm in a tea-cup” by Halifa? What says Andrew – about THAT?
Crazy ! Crazy ! Crazy!
I think I’ll stand for President…{the Muzungu party of common sense.}
My-in-law….
Pa Nderry’s headline is a misrepresentation of what Hon. Halifa stated, and so too, is your opening statement, which echoed the same misrepresentation. Hon. Halifa’s statement, in reference to dictatorship, as far as I can see, should be understood within the context of “where we came from”; “how we got there”; and “what we must do” to avert going back to it, and that is why he is reported to have challenged Gambian’s to stand up to injustice, unnecessary power accumulation and dictatorship. (Obviously, you missed the challenge to stand up to injustice and unnecessary accumulation of power, and instead, twisted “dictatorship” to suit your narrative)
Mr Sallah has queried the involvement of ministers (members of the executive arm of government) in the NA elections because that is exactly what they have all complained about during the Jammeh regime, whilst in opposition. How is it suddenly right to do and be seen as part of “democracy”? This is not the change we envisaged and I’m sure many will think so too.
“Democracy”, if we truly believe in it and want to sincerely practice it, makes the separation of powers an integral ingredient of its theory. There are no two ways about it, you either respect the concept of “separation of powers” and practice it, or you have no right to call your system, a “Democracy”.
The UK,USA or any of the so called “Western Democracies” are not really democratic at all. Of course, there are (what seems to be) regular “Free” elections in these countries (certainly, not FAIR elections), a high degree of respect for “Free speech”, “Freedom of association”, “Strong institutions” and mass citizen involvement to hold officials accountable, but governments in these countries are anything but democratic, because they fail to meet an important element of a democracy, “government FOR the people.” Don’t take my word for it; look it up yourself.
According to recent serious academic studies by prestigious universities and research centres in US and Europe, America is an OLIGACHY and Britain is “one of the most undemocratic countries in Europe.” Britain, despite having the mother of Parliaments, ranks 26th out of 30, in a study that spanned 10 years.
My in-law, of course Pa Mbai “sensationalised” what Halifa said (Pa Mbai is in the business of selling newspapers and that is what newspapers do to sell). But the main thrust remains that Halifa is charging “dictatorship” … and in your words “TO AVERT GOING BACK TO IT”!! Really, my in-law, many people do object to that! It is like me saying: “BAX DON’T BEAT YOUR WIFE!” You would really object to that statement, more so if you never beat your wife! Halifa goes around telling people “don’t be dictators” and that would really annoy people like Lawyer Darboe who suffered at the hands of a brutal dictator – and have no intention of being dictators. Of course, Halifa being the intelligent man that he is, wraps his wind-ups in the garb of “separation of powers, “constitution”, etc! Over to you my in-law!
Bax, your the oracle, quoting real hard core facts. Democracy is dead.
You know, one of the most obvious ways people show their contempt for anything is to claim that it is “not workable”, “not practical”, “not realistic”, “utopian” etc. and so when principled people like Hon. Halifa indicate their intent to do things in the right way, they are “pelted” with the usual stuff. Others just make it up and attempt to “hang it around his neck.”
The truth though, is that Gambia just came out of a situation where micromanaged NAMS were not only unable to protect the citizens from rampant and deadly state abuse (for many), they actually legitimised and facilitated it. The coalition initiative was meant to provide a non partisan platform to carry out the much needed reforms to usher in a new era.
Unfortunately, the euphoria of our unlikely victory has turned into disbelieve and shock to see how this noble and selfless project has been high jacked by selfish partisan interest, thus putting the entire project into jeopardy. This is the truth that’s been masked with distractions of all sorts.
But my point, my in-law, is that talking of “deadly state abuse” under the Barrow/Darboe Administration is like accusing a Muslim of planning to eat pork! These people believe in Human Rights and the Rule of Law in the hearts and soul and would never set up a dictatorship! Clearly the independent party elections create a huge hurdle for Halifa, but if he keeps making such baseless charges people will start question his motives.
But Halifa’s reference to dictatorship is not referring specifically to the Barrow Government. That’s a general statement.
My in-law, Halifa specifically referred to Barrow’s ministers. He could not be referring to anything other than the Barrow Government. It seems to me that Halifa is in full campaign mode – and of course in such situations people dish it out to their opponents (just look at Trump & Clinton). I think Halifa is dishing it out for campaigning purposes. The problem is that many people like yourself Bax, see Halifa as being above “dirty politics” and more as a Stateeman and philosopher. But if he is going to “go dirty” for political purposes (to win seats) his utterances must be evaluated like everyone else’s.
His reference to ministers is in relation to their involvement in the campaign. In other words, he is pointing to the use of public office in National Assembly Elections campaign. That’s how dictatorships begin: making NAMs feel indebted to members of the executive.
That is why the constitution bans use of public vehicles for political matters. If a minister turns up at the nomination of a candidate for the NA, in his official vehicle and with police escort, he is flouting the law. That’s impunity in the “little matters”, but it is these “little matters” that eventually become big problems.
Bax is absolutely right: Even though Mr Halake {he of many online names} tries to apply his pressure as he again loses his grasp of reality.
Democracy is a poor form of government, but all the other types of government are worse”
So said someone who did well out of Democracy and wanted to ease his conscience.
Democracy only works well when Government is held to account by the opposition.
In the case of England and Gambia in my lifetime, it has never happened. Simply because there has only ever been two choices. Except when Cameron and Clegg formed a narrow coalition, to get The Tories back into power. Clegg lost everything. Cameron missjudged the mood of the electorate and had to comit “Hari Kari”
WE then end up With Mrs May who has not been elected.
Bax Is right on all points…England did not and have not ever had a true democracy and Gambia never has.
What Halifa is shouting should been seen as a warning shot across the coalitions bow.
“WE don’t want to go back to a Dictatorship ”
Someone needed to say it….Halifa has said it !!
Nothing more to this than that.
That’s BS and Dida knows it.
There will be decent as it should be. Coalition of necessity will die once their common goal is achieved. They will moan and groan and complain and stab each other in the back. Guess what, they will even steal your money and take advantage of the people. It’s human nature and it is expected but must be curtailed by a free press and strongly institutions. Halifa’ screaming, Fatty’s posturing and Darbo’s contagion can only escalate. We should not delude ourselves that these men somehow are our protectors of democracy and they will act in our best interest. They are politicians and history teach us they are crooks and if not yet, they will be.
Lol, Isatou, I like the fire! But no, I do NOT agree with you! I give everyone the benefit of the doubt – until objective facts establish otherwise. What exactly are the objective facts which back up the accusations you make against Fatty and Darboe???? What evidence have you got to accuse them of being “crooks”???
With permission (I hope), my in-law’s question is hereby rephrased :
“What evidence have you got to accuse them (Darboe, Fatty & Halifa) of being “crooks” ?
Permission granted (LoL!). I was biased there not to notice – thank you for pointing it out gently my in-law!
The Future sounds really bleak.
Sorry to read your comments Dr Sarr…You usually contribute much more positively.
Never forget the importance of Law and its avowed impartiality. It has been England’s saviour on many occasions and with Halifa in the mix…it will be for Gambia again. God Willing.
PS cannot speak for Mr Fatty or Lawyer Darboe.
Regretfully.
Bax, Halifa has sacrificed a lot and has fought hard to see an end to corruption and dictatorship in the Gambia so it is a shame that when given the chance to make a real difference he chose to stay away. Halifa of all people should know that it is much easier to effect change from within than from without. Halifa has been an opposition to government for so long that he forgets that he is now part of the government. Not taking a paid job does not change that fact. The president was elected on a coalition ticket and Halifa is the spokesman for that coalition. As unpalatable as it might be sometimes, it is Halifa’s job to sell the coalition’s image to the public. He can disagree with his coalition partners in private but in public he should portray the coalition in a positive light. If that is unacceptable to him based on his principles then he should resign as the spokesman. Personally i think it would be better if he resigns that will be best for him and for the coalition. As the spokesman Halifa should be relentless in digging up information on the excesses of the Jammeh regime and putting it out for public consumption whilst behind the scenes he is fighting with his coalition partners to stick to their pre-election agreements. That would have totally annihilate APRC, but he seems to be doing the opposite. I do not for once doubt the sincerity of Halifa’s intentions but i worry that people will soon stop to listen to him because their perception of him may become negative. And Bax, that will be a shame. PDOIS politics is entirely different from the coalition politics and it is my believe that Halifa is finding it extremely difficult to marry the two. He should let go of one, lest he be accused of trying to rock the boat.
Buba, contribution to National Development is not restricted to Cabinet positions only. Halifa can be as effective in the National Assembly as in Cabinet, and he would still have been part of the team, but his passion at this point, lies in the NA. That’s where he thinks he can be most effective, and frankly, given our experience with that institution, I don’t think many will argue with that decision, except those who find a very timely and convenient excuse in it.
In case you have bought into the excuse that Halifa’s decision not to serve in cabinet is the cause for the coalition disintegration, I will refer you to the joint statement released by UDP, NRP & GMC , after their press conference.
It is clear from that statement, that whether Halifa accepted a cabinet position or not, they would have opted for party supported candidates, through a “tactical” alliance, because that’s what they believed in. They masked their intentions well during the coalition negotiation talks, but they were very clear about what they wanted to do.
I don’t know if Halifa is still speaking for the coalition. That’s not the impression I got when I saw his latest YouTube clip. I think he was speaking for PDOIS because he talked about their candidates. I agree with you. I think he should step aside from that “coalition”. Its no more, I think.
Bax: “I agree with you. I think he should step aside from that “coalition”. Its no more, I think.” I agree my in-law and I think that is what Mai too was trying to say when he said “Halifa is no longer Coalition spokesman” … i.e. there is no Coalition to be spokesman of. BUT I AGREE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALL DONE DIPLOMATICALLY AND IN PRIVATE. THE MORE PEOPLE SQUABBLE IN PUBLIC, THE MORE CHANCES THEY GIVE TO PA MBAI “TO MAKE HAY” BY SENSATIONALISING IT ALL.
Buba Sanyang
I can’t agree more my brother. Thanks to you and Halake for bringing sanity to this discourse. Halifa is a hero but he needs to understand that our nation is in a precarious situation and petty party politics of the past should be consigned to the dustbins of our dark history.In this hour,our nation needs heroes, heroes willing to compromise for the betterment of all.
Totally agree with both clauses of this sentence Buba:
“Halifa has sacrificed a lot and has fought hard to see an end to corruption and dictatorship in the Gambia … it is a shame that when given the chance to make a real difference he chose to stay away”
Buba you say “totally annihilate APRC”. The APRC will, after the elections, take their 5 or 10 seats and JOIN UDP. Gauranteed! So don’t bother annihilating them!
But you are right that Halifa as Coalition Spokesman should NOT be criticising the Coalition in public! Even when Mai accused Jammeh of theft “without evidence” Halifa should NOT have called a Press Conference to contradict Mai. Halifa should have spoken to Mai and Barrow in private. Now Halifa says he is “Coalition Spokesman” but he goes to Pa Mbai to say Barrow’s Government is on the way to dictatorship. That is not the way to do it … but Halifa KNOWS that is not the way to do it. So WHY does Halifa do it????????????????????
Pa Mbye never claimed to have interviewed Halifa. I think the source is his usual “sources” within Gambia. How about Mai passing his information to the SPOKESPERSON for release into the public domain ? As far as we know, he held no position in the alliance “government” at the time, though he was called “special” adviser. The rightful office holder of “spokesperson” should not be held responsible for any conflicting messages.
Bax, Mike, can you guys please tell me one place on earth in the last two centuries where there is a complete separation of power? In a multi-party democracy the executive will always have some influence on the legislature through the party mechanism. The only way we can avoid that in the Gambia is to have a clause in the constitution stating that presidents have to be independent candidates and the national assembly be made up of political parties.Let us not be naive in thinking that if Ousainou, Mai and other Party leaders in the executive did not get involve in the selection process of candidates for the national assembly then they will not be able to influence the proceedings in the legislature. Because they can. And they will through their party mechanisms. We all know that it is shared ideologies, sense of purpose and goals that make a Party. Therefore the coalition itself is a Party of some sort. So even with 53 independent assembly members they will be influence by the executive because they would have shared the same values with the executive. There would not be much separation between them and the executive because there will be a coalition body that will be a link between the coalition executive and the coalition legislature to ensure that the bills the executive formulates as passed into law. In reality it will be very hard to have such a truly separated system of governance. What i want to see personally is a national assembly that is not afraid to take on the executive to create real balance of power.
I will easily agree with you about the difficulties of achieving complete separation of powers, but you have identified a step that can minimise micromanagement and increase independence, thus :
“What I want to see is a national assembly that is not afraid to take on the executive to create a real balance of power.”
How we achieve this should be every bodies’ headache. Personally, whilst I am not against the executive having its own team in the NA (when they win the election by their own efforts), I do not think members of the Executive Arm of government should be involved in identifying and campaigning for candidates from their parties. NAMs must also be prepared (either through a national training scheme or workshops) to put service to country above party in practice (not just rhetoric), so that they will be ready to defy the executive when it goes against popular interest, and there should be no repercussion for this. The media must also be ready to scrutinise NAMs at work and take them to task, so that those who are seen to be executive lackeys may be recalled and voted out. We cannot be the passive observers that we were for the last 52 years. Only clapping and dancing at elections time or official function/celebrations.
By the way, we can’t say because no one’s managed to completely separate various arms of government, we shouldn’t try to. How about trying to be the FIRST ? “Democracy” is still a theory in development. It’s neither complete, nor perfect. Just that it’s the best of the lot.
Bax: ““Democracy” is still a theory in development. It’s neither complete, nor perfect. Just that it’s the best of the lot.”
CHURCHILL: “The Least BAD System of Government”!
BS////
That is a very good question. Even the World wide web can not provide an answer///So we presume that all countries have a legislature {single} or as in the case of the USA a bicameral Legislature.
I must presume the UK is bicameral as we also have The House Of Lords…although its significance as a debating chamber would in some opinion, suggest it really has very little power other than stalling the legislative process//if the honourable members seem fit to drag there feet on contentious issues.In any case they are unelected by the people and are seen as the privileged few.
This is a further weight for those viewed by the majority as the idle rich.
Then of course there is the British Monarchy, who give assent to laws///But in real terms only rubber stamps//what Parliament decides.
England is a class society
The upper class
The Middle class
The working class.
Some would suggest that in fact we have a 4th class
This being immigrants
But I see a 5th class
These being those who reside in the UK with no papers/ rights/ or identity.
The 5th class have been my main interest for 10 years. They are subject to all forms of abuse.
Bax, I do agree with you that cabinet position is not the only way to contribute to national development. I would kindly ask you to read my comments on the 1/03/17 on this topic “Updated: Gambia Scraps Age Limit For President” if you click on the politics tab you will see the article. I made that comment before all this brouhaha. I have a great respect for Halifa but I think he needs to be coached in public relations vis a vis modern day soundbite journalism. If he thinks that all journalists will quote him as Foroyaa reporters will do without blemishing or putting a spin on whatever he says to satisfy their own agenda and sensationalism, then he is naive. Halifa was never known by the Gambian public as PDOIS spokesman. The public know him as the coalition spokesman and that means he should be mindful to publicly voice a personal opinion like you and I could. His personal opinion can be construed as government policy, either positively or negatively. The media is a beast that is not easily tamed. PDOIS executive should select their own spokesman and ask Halifa to take a back seat because like it or not the public sees him as part of the coalition. In trying to maintain his independence from the coalition he may unwittingly damage any chances of PDOIS truly becoming a national party. I say this because if the media continues to associate him with controversial or unpopular stories, whether he said it or not the public perception of him may change and that can damage PDOIS as a result. I have perused Foroyaa but couldn’t find the story so he may not have said it but that won’t stop people from talking about it, perhaps negatively. Politics can make strange bedfellows. Our politicians have made their beds so let them lie in it. We the public shouldn’t be made to try it for them.
Panderry Mbai is not the problem. Don’t kill the messenger.
He is only exposing what any fool can see.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN SAID,
“NEARLY ALL MEN CAN STAND ADVERSITY BUT IF YOU WANT TO TEST A MAN’S CHARACTER, GIVE HIM POWER”!
I’d also add that, to test a man or woman’s character, try wedging yourself between the person and their worldly aspirations!
So, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara was also a good man overall. However, in old age, his henchmen put a veil over his face and lead him astray just as he led “wayward kids” the length and breadth of The Gambia to earn their pardon! Anyone recall the aftermath of the Pakalinding Conference where Sir Dawda (the astute politician) declared his intention to step down as President “Mansa” of The Gambia? OJ and Saikou Sabally cried like babies! They kept asking what’s wrong with the fellow Sir Dawda? Giving up Mansayaa?
In the Gambia that I know, politics invariably turns into what a writer describes as the phenomenon of the Taalibeh and Serign Daara or in Manding, Karamo Ning Taalibolu where the Taalibos must be seen to be acting at the behest of the Karamo or else worldly and eternal blessings (Barako/Teyki) don’t come their way! Also the Mansa and Mansayaa on the lips of all Gambians and notably the TAADIBOLU, tell us albeit ERRONEOUSLY, that MANSA BIKA DOYA in the eyes of his subjects! MAA KUU, SAA KUU goes the adage in Manding!!
So here’s the caveat with Ousainou, Mai (fellow with the Kanyaleng name), Hamat, OJ and those of their ilk.
Gambians must be wary of the tendency for leaders to usurp powers accorded to them by the electorate! So, let’s speak up now and loudly too!
My pal Buba Sanyang makes salient points that must be taken into account in this discussion!!
Taking a jab at Dida, I’d retort that you clearly know that worldly politics is all about “Quid Pro Quo” that rightly earns politics the dirty game synonym! However, that doesn’t mean that we must fall back on what you label yardsticks or precedent and relegate sensible discourse, aimed at crafting better models of democracy, to the sidelines!
Look at democracies north of Milan, Italy. Think Austria, The Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany!!
By the way Mike Scales, the Muzungu Party could work too as the party of middle ground and possibly of reason! Think Richard Laekey of the Safina Party that indeed won seats in the Kenyan parliament. A never seen phenomenon in The Gambia may very well make a dent in Gambian politics. You may already know how Gambians respond to what’s labeled “NENE MAA JEWO” (what’s never been before) in Manding. So, hold that thought as you may be on to something and could very well up end Dida and become Luntango Numero Uno, the GANN GI BII YEWI BEYE BI!
Andrew I will pass on your generous invitation.
I much prefer riding a Tiger than being eaten by it./
Bax: “If a minister turns up at the nomination of a candidate for the NA, in his official vehicle and with police escort, he is flouting the law. “. On that one I agree 100% Brav! Absolutely. Level playing field is a must in the campaign. But the other Constitutional issue Halifa has NOT raised is this: Why “nominated” MPs? Why should the Speaker be “nominated” by the President – from amongst “nominated” MPs? I am not interested in why Jammeh set the Constitution up for himself this way. I am interested in WHY HALIFA HAS NOT HIGHLIGHTED OR EVEN MENTIONED THE NEED TO CHANGE THESE PROVISIONS AS A MATTER OF URGENCY.
Over to you Brav!
I’m sure you know what will happen when Halifa starts talking about reforms, especially given that the reforms are supposed to be jointly done. But unless I am mistaken, I think PDOIS has expressed the view that the House of Representatives should only be filled by elected members, way back during the Jawara days. Even from their position on equality of sovereign citizens, you can draw the inference that they DO NOT subscribe to the idea of an elected representative (President) being more “sovereign” than any other citizen, and being able to nominate x number of reps into the house; more than what any individual constituency (of hundreds of citizens) can do. Let’s hope that he gets elected.
Bax says: “Let’s hope that he gets elected.”!! Don’t be silly my in-law! Halifa OWNS Serrekunda Central after his HEROICS in dispatching Jammeh. (UDP have respectfully avoided fielding a candidate against Halifa – that is seriously respectful and UDP should be applauded for that). If he does not get elected with a whopping majority, ATTAYA for the rest of your life is on me.
That said, my question which in typical PDOIS style you have avoided was this:
“WHY HALIFA HAS NOT HIGHLIGHTED OR EVEN MENTIONED THE NEED TO CHANGE THESE PROVISIONS AS A MATTER OF URGENCY”??
Over to you again!
Bax, Dida when Halifa and Sidia are elected the government should immediately table a bill to change the constitution to make the speaker an elected member of the assembly. In fact I think the government should start the process right now so that the bill can be tabled before the assembly immediately after the elections.
Buba, I am WRESTLING with my in-law! Don’t interfere in a family quarrel – I want an answer from Bax!
Dida, point taken. Am staying clear of your domestic issues lol!
Hey Bax. Your in-law Dida appears to have taken a hiatus from commentary?
A secret mission to The Gambia?
Andrew, Mimi Ni MZEE! I am not young like you and Bax!I have been able to stay up with you young Jattos only because I have been off work ill. Back to work – and I head to bed earlier to get any chance of being able to get up for work the next morning! That is what happens at 61!
I once stayed up (until 3am at the Gambia’s Paradise Beach Vous) with these young UN sisters from Kenya. At 3am, I excused myself with the words: “Wadada, Old Cats must go to bed early”. One of the dadas smiled and said: “Baba, old cats like cream too!” … I smiled broadly, but still walked slowly to my car.
Surely Andrew, the forum can’t offer a more tempting invitation than that Malaika???
Hard not to jump into this debate but only with good intend 🙂
When an agreement is reached between gentlemen for the good of the many, honoring that agreement is a measure of being trustworthy. Irrespective of what the constitution says, when the agreement was made with Barrow there were clear objectives and these are terms that need to be upheld. Getting rid of the dictator and for Barrow to serve for 3 years as a transition government are core to what was agreed.
Therefore, if Barrow is a man of his words and deserve the respect and trust of all Gambians not a few, then he need to honor the gentleman’s agreement (forget about a contract, forget about the constitution), trust is something to be earned, you break it once your break it for good.
History is in the making for Barrow and he has the rein to decide which path to take.
My advice to all Gambians is not to forget those who stood for the common good when the Country was at the brink of collapse. Halifa was in the forefront of this and to see him being ridiculed like this is sad and shows how narrow minded some can be. If Barrow honors his words, he stands to win the hearts of many Gambians and will be in a position to lead.
This is to share with Barrow –
“O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? It is most hateful to Allah that you should say that which you do not do.” (Surah as-Saff 61:2-3)
“Your word is about all you have that you can really count on. Make sure others can count on you, too”.
You undoubtedly have many advisers some of whom mean the best for all but some mean the best for only a few and for themselves. To see through these veils you need courage and selflessness. One thing you should keep in mind is that you as the leader, you need to always think and protect long-term and not short-term interests. You will be forgiven if you falter for we all do as humans; but not over things that you have control over such as your “word” “an agreement you made with others”.
Wish your and your government all the best and long live The Gambia and love you all