Once upon a time, the PPP and APRC dominated the political landscape of the Gambia; like that towering, intimidating colossus, a bogeyman with a frightening larger than life stature. Between them, they shared 51 years of our life, 29 and 22 years respectively. What has happened to the mighty? Where has their influence, power, support base and manifested love of the people disappeared to?
The PPP is now a dull flicker, preserved in our collective political memory by the presence of the Elder Statesman Jawara and few sporadic, solitary voices of discontent from distant corners.
The APRC is in the throes of death and the kicks and hiccups are certainly those of a dying giant. The once all powerful, all mighty, dominant and domineering political party, seemingly well loved by most Gambians in its heyday, is a sorry shadow of its former self. From the sublime to the ridiculous. The once might rooster is become a featherduster, a once “cosmetic decked lady” who was ravenously enjoyed by unconscionable men is now being abandoned and accused of “immorality”.
The NCP and GPP, one time “formidable” opposition parties with a semblance of support or strongholds in rural Gambia are dead but in name. The PPP, a footnote now. Why? Was it that their growth and influence were truncated or abruptly disrupted by the July 1994 military take over? But the APRC itself is also, unfortunately, on the rocks, and is being faced by a similar fate, consigned to oblivion and obscurity.
Our independence and post-independence political parties, up to 1994, are either dead or in comatose. A contrast to the exuberance still being exhibited by, say, the ANC or Congress Party in India or those political parties which led their countries to independence and still surviving and relevant. What went wrong with the PPP, NCP, GPP and the APRC?
The “Founder-leader” syndrome, that belief that the person who founded the party must be its party leader has been the bane. The parties became “owned” and impenetrable to others. Everything revolved around the founder, the be all and end all. Naturally with the passing on of the founder, the parties collapsed like a house of cards. Why change a winning horse, one may ask? Fighting tradition and the status quo. The old order should be intermittently yielding to place to the new, “lest one good culture should corrupt” the party.
The failure to reproduce leaders, giant killers like the founder. A key law of leadership and a must-do for a leader is “reproduction and empowerment”. A leader must create leaders and leaders and leaders, party members who are groomed and mentored to take over from him or her, people who can run the party when the leader is absent or long after he or she is gone. Such a strategy makes succession and transition smooth and change easier to midwife. These parties, unfortunately, produced followers and followers and followers.
The absence of Internal governance mechanisms and tools. A political party that is run on the whims and caprices of the leader or where the leader disregards its own existing governance mechanisms, tools, procedures and processes, is sure to malfunction when that is out of the scene. Existence of and adherence to internal governance framework enhances accountability, trust, ownership and sustainability.
Disconnection with the base. The strength of a political party is at the base, at the village, ward and constituency levels. When political party cells or units at these levels are disorganised or disconnected or disjointed from the top or feel they are mere cogs in the turning wheel, that party would most likely lose its support base when an upheaval strikes it, when a more pragmatic party canvass its support base.
Political leadership isn’t just positional, titular, expertise or academics. Leadership is the ability to influence others political parties are formed mainly to have power, to be the government. If, after more than two decades of existence, the leader cannot influence voters and the political party cannot wrest power or become the government, then it must either change its leader or change its strategy. One of these is not getting the right buy-in. Supporters can get weary with time and jump ship when the opportunity arises.
I know one or two political parties that have begun some reform, to remain relevant, enlarge their support base and strengthen their internal accountability mechanism. It is the way forward.
A political party that revolves around one individual, the founder, can be sure to go into suspended animation when the leader leaves the stage or passes on. Read my lips.
Njundu am guessing one of the political parties in the process of instituting reforms is the People’s Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS). The UDP claims the same but we know it’s just lip service.
Before going further, I thank you for easily delving into a complex political epoch and making it fathomable as to why we are where we are today. Jeere Jeff, ang njaraama, abaaraka.
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An interrogation of our political history and the history of the political parties that once emerged in our country cannot be devoid of a post colonial narratology.
You see, the demise of a white minority in Africa has created two distinct political ideological camps.
One is fundamentally an extension and a continuation of imperial rule. Political parties like UP, PPP, NCP etc that emerged immediately or a little after independence fall under this category. These were political parties that does not have their foundations based on political and economic issues, but rally around a certain individual or a narrow sectionalism sentiment to dilly-dally. Obviously with time, those individuals and sectionalist dynamics become irrelevant and the parties wilt away.
The second is a reactionary ideological camp of strong military men and or armed rebels claiming to be revolutionaries. Political parties emerge also out of these settings. They are parties like the APRC in Gambia and the parties of Charles Taylor of Liberia, Blaise Campaore of Burkina Faso etc. The parties of these fighters-turned-rulers also crumble with the men who brought them to existence.
This has been the sad pattern and tragedy I hope a new generation of democratic leaders will learn from to shape a better future for Africa and her suffering people.
Yours in the service of The Gambia and all black people, I remain.
Lamin,
Have you ever thought about setting up a base, also do you have any published literature That is available for the public to purchase?
Grim reaper I don’t understand what you mean with “setting up a base”. Please enlighten me.
As to a published literature, I have some ideas that are slowly taking shape in the form of a title and a genre. But to answer your question, I have not published any work of literature.
Lamin,
“I have some ideas that are slowly taking shape in the form of a title and a genre.”
Ok nice,
“setting up a base” an office, or ever thought about setting up a YouTube channel, weekly live broadcast?
Grim reaper,
time permitting, I intend to write one children’s book in three of our very stupendously beautiful languages this year; Wollof, Fulani and Mandinka.
This will be my gift to my children. The other one remains……..let’s say a secret. Grins
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Concerning broadcasting on a social media platform, I have some reservations about that. Which ones?
1) The Facebook live and YouTube live landscape is really full of junk. Many might enjoy producing that stuff or consuming it, but it’s not for me.
2) The topics that interest me, I suspect might be too boring for an audience that that thrives on superficiality.
3) Putting out something serious require time and resources (financial, material and human), both of which are currently not at my disposal.
But who knows what tomorrow might bring?
Thanks anyways for your vested confidence in my humble utterances.
Lamin,
Points 1 and 2, you might be pleasantly surprised,
Black People both young and old are hungry for their history and direction, especially from a brother.
Time constraints I can understand, financially, where there’s a will, there’s a way. I’m sure, we can all pull together!
The elephant in the room is poverty. “They” seize power because we are poor and hungry, they maintain power by intimidating us, and they loose power, crash and burn because of their massive greed. Let’s take the case of the last 22 years. PPP greed made 99.9% of our citizens poor and undereducated, they became desperate and bought into the lies of a nobody like Jammeh, why, primarily because they thought someone like them will advance their agenda. We all know that story now.
Gambia is full of political opportunist, they will rise and fall. The lesson learned is this:
1. Gambians be prepared. Educate yourselfs and FEED yourselfs.
2. Gambians be prepared. Speak loudly and clearly against corruption.
3. Gambians be prepared. Vote out those that steal from you and lie to you.
4. Gambians be prepared. Understand this. No one but Gambia’s sons and daughters can fix our problems.
5. Gambians be prepared. Know this. Politicians are crooks. ALL of them.
Those are lessons to learn moving forward. It is not about a political party or a leader, it is about we The Gambians and what we hold sacred. Our humanity.
God Bless The Gambia.
DR says: “Politicians are crooks. ALL of them.”!
Dida says: DR sounds like Jammeh! Since we MUST as a democracy be ruled by politicians, we must surely hope that some of them will not be “crooks”.
#Don’t you think the elephant in the room is the CRISIS OF LEADERSHIP?
#Don’t you think we are rich, just poorly managed?
#Don’t you think it will be impossible to gain quality and relevant education without first chasing chronic poverty out of the door?
#Don’t you think we need the political smarts to be able to chase out poverty?
#Don’t you think we need political parties and political personalities to play politics?
#Don’t you think we need politics and politicians of some kind to be able to feed a nation?
#Don’t you think the people need to first know themselves and their rights and what belongs to them before they can raise their voices against corruption?
#Don’t you think it is the duty of politicians to enlighten and educate the people about the above?
#Don’t you think there are still people in politics for the love of their people and country?
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Over to you, Doc.
“Circulus in Probando”
Agreed. The question is method of attainment. The process of nation building can only start at the beginning not the middle or the end. The beginning is food security. Those who are unable to feed themselves will go hungry, and the hungry cannot make wise choices resulting in leadership crisis and ultimately failed society. It is like building a house. If the foundation is not solid, the house will eventually fall. Societies must be built on a strong foundation of self sufficiency and sustainable agricultural and food security.
Ultimately real power rest on the people. We choose our leaders. The crisis of leadership is created by the choosers. Hungry citizens make poor choices. The result is poor management and the cycle repeats itself.
This is why it is important to start from food security and a consistent concentrated effort on agriculture and feeding the nation.
So if our premise is agriculture then the conclusion will be, that a self sufficient people will find their political voice through education, we can then pick good leaders who will help manage our resources and ultimately make us a great nation.
So Lamin, where do you think PDOIS fits in the categories that you outlined?
Andy lurking on the sidelines. Good lol in good humor.
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Andy, PDOIS is a party that has a wholesome and an organic approach to all the points I raised above.
For example, we have recognized that for The Gambia to be completely transformed from its current state of economic decadence, you can’t rely on a non-existent private sector that is not even capable of employing 15% of the labor force. And incapable of garnering 30% of the GDP. And still, we have our own president telling us “the private sector is the engine of growth”. Which growth when we know Gambia’s economy grows only to the extent of loans and foreign aid and grants given to us.
That’s called; Fang feyaa. Yablu sa boopa!
Grim reaper,
We will see what happens till the end of this year. If we succeed, we will succeed together. All for our people. I love coming together with brothers and sisters to do collaborative work, especially for the advancement of the black cause.
What i had in mind though was radio or television that will reach a sizable audience for maximum effect. But let’s see……….
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@Dida,
tonight is Bron vs Steph for game 2 of the playoff finals.
Where is your money?
I think Lebron will be on revenge modus after his 51 points counted for nothing. That might equally prove catastrophic for him for Steve Kerr knows how to exploit emotional situations.
Ohhhh my receiver is playing games………Ok i might only be able to watch the replay tomorrow.
LEBRON it is! Curry and Co. have DISSED the MAN and they are in for a BEATING!
GSW territory is one of the most hostile for any visiting team. The supporters make up for a 6th player on the court. I wish you fun and a win for James.
My money is on Steph making more than 5 three pointers tonight.
Steph is in trouble mate. Did you see King James swot him off like a fly?
Yes, Lamin. Andy lurking in the shadows in typical Kombonka fashion.
To the elephant in the room that’s about how to attain food self sufficiency so we can be armed with good and well fed brains to pick the right leadership to quote Dr Sarr.
#Stay away from peanuts (a pittance that couldn’t be sold) and cotton. The fluffy stuff that has only brought Gambian (Mbaading Serankhulu) farmers fluff and nothing else! Thanks to OJ and Saikou Sabally!
#Focus on food crops that can be grown, handled, processed and marketed in bulk.
#Carve out The Gambia into regional production zones.
#The areas from LRR-CRR to Koina be designated areas most suited fo irrigated Agriculture on account of The Gambia River that can be tapped for the valuable water resources offered.
#Irrigated agriculture in the Greater Banjul area and the Kombos may not be economically feasible unless a high value crop(s) targeting a niche market was in play.
Pumping and distribution costs for groundwater in The Gambia are too expensive on account of capital costs, fuel and other hidden costs.
Radville and Toubakuta Farms can do it because they produce and ship largely to the parent company and affiliates in the UK. Don’t believe in anything else that they tell you.
#Take the worthless cotton industry out of the URR. Promote and replace this silly crop with Maize, Millet, Rice and Sorghum.
#Designate areas exclusively for rice production and focus on producing one rain fed crop plus one irrigated crop each year.
#Identify Gambians with the knowledge and EXPERIENCE (note emphasis on the word). Provide seed money and/or incentives for these folks to relocate to outlying areas and settle down to the task of commercial production in designated nuclei of production.
#Make agricultural lending, that presents unique demands, a serious business in The Gambia.
Matching grants will help buy seed money is the killer in agricultural startups.
#Learn and borrow know how from other nations such as Kenya, Botswana, Rwanda, Morocco and South Africa in the attempt to shorten the learning curve for Gambian farmers. Some college education may be helpful but we certainly don’t need higher education to be good farmers and producers!
To be continued…..
U R wasted in MzunguLand Andy.
Haha! Tell me more Luntango.
Man, I am busy analysing video of last LeBron v WOrriers game … but you know hat I mean above!
Thankfully the Mzungu hasn’t been able to get into my head!
Ni Mu Afirika Tu
“…Gambia’s economy grows only to the extent of loans and foreign aid and grants given to us.”
Lamin, I read somewhere else that the economy is responding promisingly according the Central Bank governor “…the Gross Domestic Product projected to grow by 3.5 in 2017 to 5.4 percent in 2018 during the Monetary Policy Meeting on May31st 2018, at the Central Bank Building in Banjul, that this is due mainly to a rebound in agriculture & continued improvement in trade, tourism & construction; that the global economy is forecast to grow from 3.8 percent in 2017, to 3.9 in 2018, due to continued recovery in commodity prices & strong global demand (IMF Reports); on the external sector, he disclosed a narrowed deficit of U$ 29.45 million to U$7.01 million, which is equivalent to 2.7 percent of GDP a year ago, to 0.7 percent of GDP in the first quarter of 2018; that this reflects a marked increase in current transfers (mainly remittances), by 62.2 percent, to U$ 60.71 million. He however said goods account balance worsened from a deficit of U$ 54.61 million (5.2 percent of GDP) in the first quarter of 2017, to a deficit of U$ 67.46 million (6.1 percent of GDP) in the first quarter of 2018, indicating a sharp decline in exports and a significant increase in imports… ” among others; the word economic forecast is “…projected from 3.9-5.4% globally…” according to horse’s mouth… {Courtesy of Foroyaa Newspaper}
There’s genuine responsibility indicators(/tions) on Governor Jammeh’s; on honest observations on both the pros cons – promising & shortfalls in economic analysis…
Notable though, is the vibrant contribution of the gallant Gambia diaspora; we aren’t doing that for any, but for our very own collective selves, community, & future unborn, into generations only; nobody will build the Gambia for us; together, we’ll get there; Further Gambia, EVER True…
Rectification please – among others; the Gambia economic forecast is “…projected from 3.9-5.4% in 2018 as compared to from 3.8 percent in 2017, to 3.9 in 2018, globally…” according to horse’s mouth…
Thanking you….