(JollofNews) – There is a general feeling that the Coalition has broken up, and therefore many are expressing disappointment and even threatening not to vote. If anyone is disappointed then one is yet to understand the workings of multiparty politics in a democracy. In the first place, this Coalition was not created in the Quran or Bible. Rather it was formed by men and women from diverse political parties whom we know for the most part had spend the past 20 years bickering among each other. So why should anyone be surprised today by what happens between them?
The fact is that our political parties and leaders do not necessarily love each other despite the photo-ops and plastic smiles and false hugs they perform out there. The history of that can be seen since 1996 and 2001 presidential elections when they did not even consider an alliance. Then in 2006 came NADD but then they dismantled it amidst lot of accusations and counter-accusations leading two opposition coalitions. A similar scenario occurred in the 2011 presidential elections, and in both cases they suffered a crushing defeat. When 2016 came, the political landscape had fundamentally worsened in such a way that these parties had no choice but to coalesce. But the hard fact is that the coalition was never based on love and responsibility. Hence for anyone to expect much must be living in fantasy.
The failure of the tactical alliance is not with or about the ‘tactical alliance’ because they all agree on that. Rather it has everything to do with the party interests. Any approach they take, we were bound to face challenges. If they took the Independent-led approach, it is clear that parties will be behind the so-called independent candidates pulling the strings as they jockey for numbers and constituencies. Similarly, by going for the party-led approach, we have seen how the parties now surfaced still jockeying for numbers and constituencies. Thus the issue is not that one approach is necessarily better than the other. Rather the issue is our parties and leaders were merely interested in securing their party interests. Otherwise why cannot they compromise and give and take if they were driven by national interest?
But it is better they break up now and go into their party conclaves than to go into the parliament as Coalition Independents only to engage in cold war while their parties and leaders are behind the scenes pulling the strings. That will not only derail the work of the parliament but will also stagnate the government, while we will not be able to know who to hold to account. The parties and leaders will claim innocence, while the independents will be pouring meaningless accusations and counter-accusations. This is why I had earlier argued in a previous article that the party-led approach is the better option that provides better safeguards when crisis erupts.
Therefore the so-called failure of either approach, i.e. Independent or Party-led candidature under a tactical alliance is a blessing in disguise that can only strengthen our democracy. But that is provided if citizens realize that democracy and good governance prevails when the citizen actively participate. In the first place let us realize that these parties and the independent presidential candidate are the ruling parties. They formed the Coalition, which produced a presidential candidate who is now Chief Servant Adama Barrow. Hence this government is the government of the Coalition of all the parties that formed it.
That being the case, the success or failure of Adama Barrow is the sole responsibility of these parties, individually and collectively. They must all work to ensure that Barrow succeeds. For that matter, going into the parliament as parties means we will now see which party is working for the fulfillment of the Coalition Manifesto and who is working against it. We will see which party and their leaders are selfish or patriotic. Even if a party withdraws from the Coalition today, yet that party cannot withdraw from the fact that it is part of those who gave birth to Adama Barrow. Hence all the parties have a moral and political obligation to ensure that Adama Barrow succeeds. Barrow is their child. A divorce does make a child fatherless and motherless. Let us remind these parties and their leaders the fact and their duty.
This means we the citizens must realize that our task did not end by just voting for Adama Barrow on December 1. Rather our task in fact starts now to hold these parties accountable in the parliament and in the Cabinet to ensure that they deliver to the best interest of the Gambia. Since they have decided to go it along party lines, we must ensure that each and every party proves itself. Thus this is the time we will know the quality of our parties and leaders. For 20 years, we were unable to test them in practice because they were in opposition. But now they are the government, and therefore we must monitor them to see if they will practice what they have been preaching in the past 20 years.
I therefore encourage all voters to ensure they vote for the most competent Coalition party candidates to ensure that they form the majority in the parliament. We must not vote for APRC under any circumstances even if the person is the most competent woman because she should have the moral uprightness to realize that APRC is a rapist, looter and murderer party. That is non-negotiable. Let us carry out our job as citizens to its logical conclusion. That is, we voted for Adama Barrow because the Coalition presented him to us. Now that we are going to parliamentary elections, we will continue to vote for candidates from the Coalition parties to give them the power to support the Barrow Administration. When we do that, then we have done our job in giving them the space and power to perform.
The next task is for us to not just sit back and watch them. But we must be vigilant and monitor them. The onus lies on them to use the power we give them to implement the objectives they claimed in their Manifesto. Now is therefore the time when we will know which party is genuinely committed to democracy and good governance in the Gambia or which party is just interested in their own selfish interests.
Let us not despair but to realize that democracy is not a straight smooth affair in the Holy Quran or the Holy Bible. Democracy is neither a moral issue nor a religious matter. It is a practical exercise of how to expand freedoms and fulfill the needs of the people. In this exercise, various ideas, tools and processes will be employed to which we will agree or disagree. But to disagree is no reason to feel disappointed, frustrated, and angry and give up. After all, we are probably seeing the unfolding of true democracy for the first time since independence.
God Bless the Gambia.
By Madi Jobarteh
Madi you analysis is very disappointing. No points made, Refer to your previous piece when you said the tactical coalitionis the best option. Pls there is no such thing as Coalition candidates becos there is not coalition. That no one should vote the APRC is unbalanced and not professional. That is the people choice to determine. We are seeing the worst case scenario in some of the candidates who are barely illiterate and party led phyco . How will these people be different from the past when there is no minimum criteria? except that you belong to my tribe or will dance to my tribal tune?
Madi, it is good to be consistent in life. Your point of analysis is like a pendulum. No center no end.
The other option of independent Candidature was never put to test and hence the assumption are baseless. The tactical coalition is tested and woefully failed even the trial stage. let us be objective and consistent in our arguments. We are witnessing the worst case of nursing a democracy when tribal sentiments and selfishness are wide gaped and yet we are being fooled to agree that this is what it takes to nurse a democratic state. Cheap undercover tactics and theoretic. The truth will come soon
Madi says: “We must not vote for APRC under any circumstances even if the person is the most competent woman because she should have the moral uprightness to realize that APRC is a rapist, looter and murderer party.”
Well, Madi, Halifa and PDOIS are putting up the very pretty and by all accounts very competent young APRC MP Habsana Jallow against APRC’s Seedy Njie – Jammeh’s Last Chance Saloon Loyalist.
Surely even Machiavelli would have admired that move by Halifa and PDOIS? Not you?
Madi, Gambia has decided, so what’s the problem?
A Mirage and Appearance of Transparent Governance Does Not Make A Democratic Dispensation:
Buba Sanyang, Max’s and Other “UDP Militants” Please. Wrong is Wrong. We cannot justify present and future illegal and Potentially Criminal behavior of Selective Arrrests, Detentions, Ethnic Group Based Firings from jobs, Ethnic Group Based Jurisprudence and Law Enforcement, by the Current Regime of Adama Barrow, Mai Fatty and Ousainou Darbo by engaging in Subterfuge and Blame Game. At some point, Ousainou Darbo and Mai Fatty and even Adama Barrow their Fronted Pseudo President, would have to take responsibility and own up to the fact that they are in charge of the Affairs of State in the Current Political Dispensation in the Gambia. By the way, Buba Sanyang, I will not be so giddy and silent or embrace the new Tilt in Foreign Policy toward the French by way of Cynically and Opportunistically putting all of Ones Eggs in One Basket. Mai Fatty and Ousainou Darbo Regime have pushed Barrow into the Francophone Sphere of Politics and Diplomacy, as a Signinal and Payment to Macky Sall and Senegal for the Short term goal of getting rid of Jammeh. A goal that most UDP Supporters and others would see as worth anything and everything. The problem is, they may have gotten themselves into a Lion’s Den they may Not Survive just I like Jawara and his regime over reached and paid dearly in 1994. The three Musketeers have just Sealed their Faith. By jumping in the Senegalese Den, they have climbed on the A proverbial Lion’s Back and may end a up in the Lion’s Jaws trying to get off. This is similar to the Faith Jawara allowed himself to be placed following the 1981 Coup. He was then Obligated to keep digging the Ditch or Hole he put himself and the Gambia in even when he was aware that he was digging for a Collective Burial. Thank Allah/God, Jawara was able to get himself and the Gambia out of the Grave, before the Burial Detail (Senegal’s Joof) Could executed the final Rites. Adama Barrow, Ousainou Darbo and Mai Fatty are dealing with a more determined and ruthless “Partner” in Macky Sall of Senegal. They are playing with fire thinking that his goal is Neutralizing the Cassamance Opposition, Period. No. Buba. The ultimate goal is the Golden goose, the Gambia. The Communique and or Protocols recently Signed in Paris by Adama Barrow for the Gambia Government with the French Government, giving the French the responsibility of Training the Gambian Army, is Nothing Else, but another Diplomatic way of Cynically telling the Gambians that the Gambian Army would be Trained, Controlled and Directed by Senegal and Macky Sall. The Communique also stated that the Gambia would henceforth, Require French to be taught in Gambian Schools. “Required”, is the Operative word. Buba, Maxs and other UDP SUPPORTERS, does this mean, henceforth, all Primary Schools, High Schools and the University would be Forced to teach French? Forget Kisuwahili you were nursing of transplanting into the Gambia. Actually, that may not be bad. It may go a long ways to hopefully reduce if not eliminate the Persistent and Insidious Ethnic Group Marginalization. I think Not. It has not done so in Kenya. Back to the Gambia. Talking about Adama Barrow and his Communique of Requiring French to be taught in Gambia. Would parents be required to come up with the added cost of School fees and or Text books for French language? Or is Adama Barrow, Ousainou Darbo and Mai Fatty Regime going to pay for it. Where would they get the Funds. If they manage to get the Funds, is this the best way to spend the funds at a time Mai Fatty, Ousainou Darbo and UDP Officials Scattered all over the Gambian government Ministeries are Claiming that the Gambia Government is Bankrupt? Who going to pay for the added costs for French language Teachers and or Professors? Why is it a Requirement? Did Ms. Jallow Tambajang come up with this inorder to be relevant, given her Unconstitutional try for Vice President? Or, is this the “Behind the Closed Doors” or the “Hand Shake” Diplomacy in Mali during the Political impasse that Adama Barrow had with the French Prime Minister before he and his Cliques’ going on to their real destination, Senegal, “for an Undeserved Vacation” while the Gambia was on a Powder keg about to blow up during the Political impasse? Short term gain for long pain is not a Prescription for Progress, nor good Diplomacy. Ousainou Darbo and Mai Fatty with their Front man, Adama Barrow are Obligating and positioning the Gambia in an Undesirable and Dangerous position that would come to hunt them and maybe their Downfall. The Marriage of Convenience Orchestrated by UDP, Mai Fatty and Ousainou Darbo with Macky Sall cannot be Sustained. It is a Marriage built on the Hatred of One man and an Ethnic Group that they both see as a Threat. The Jola in the Gambia for UDP, Mai Fatty and Ousainou Darbo and the Jola in Cassamance for the Senegalese and Macky Sall. What happens when this Perceived enemy is Nolonger the Common threat to One Party or both? What would hold the Marriage of Convenience together? A Mutual admiration Subterfuge? Maybe. The Fireworks that such a Diplomatic Divorce would generate or create is not something I want to imagine. It is going to be ugly at the least, and at worst not good for UDP leadership and Potentially the Gambia. The Hatred of One man and an Ethnic Group Should Not in anyway or Form Blind Politicians who Profess to Represent all, to embark on a Reckless and Suicide Mission of Intra and International Diplomacy that Compromises the Gambian Souvereignity and Independence, Not to mention its Existence as we know it. Gambia is More than the Sum Total of One individual, Ethnic Group and Region. One Gambia, One People, One Destiny.
French was part of the curriculum in middle 90’s -during my middle school days. French is also a language all countries in our immediate neighbourhood use as official language. Hence I don’t see any significant shift of policy in that area. I am even the opinion that Gambian children should be provided with the opportunity to learn French for future career benefits. If “Required” is inscribed in the communique, I am also not amused by that. However a communique is not binding. It is a will and it’s realisation is just a goodwill in the furtherance of mutual benefits. The sovereignity of the country is not dented. The communique is prone to be replaced or abandon if it is not practicable. I don’t see how Senegal and by association the French, will undermine us if we don’t add French to our curriculum. Again the benefit of speaking different languages is entirely accorded the speaker.
Sidi N Bojang. “The ultimate goal is the Golden goose, the Gambia.” Correct, Mineral assets, “French to be taught in Gambian Schools. “Required”, is the Operative word.” Lol, that sounds like good old democracy in full force. I think we need to listen or read more of what our black scholars like Dr John Henrik Clarke, Dr umar Johnson, Dr Ray Hagins and Ben Jochannan, to name a few.
Sidi, did you ask yourself why a particular tribe will be view as a threat by two nations like you state? Did you make any noise about Jammeh’s attempt to make Arabic our official language? Any communique signed by Barrow has to be ratified by the National Assembly to become a law in the Gambia. What is the problem in Gambians learning French?
Sidi, it surprises every one that a former British colony, English Gambia that derives hard currency through Tourism via thomas Cooke and Human resources capacity building through the Common wealth and University education in the UK, would make France a priority agenda in international diplomacy. What a pity, the regime accuses Jammeh government for severing ties with UK and i need the common wealth and yet seem to been more a neo classical french colony. May be Senegal will soon also visit the Prime Minister of England to equate the balance?
Sidi, this shows how emotional our third republic witch -hunt on a certain tribe and region can be easily swallowed in diplomatic paralysis and epileptic advice on how to silence innocent people. If this is the case, why have the Germans not tried to eliminate the Jews after Hitler, our the Hausas in Nigeria after Abacha and Edi Amin tribe in Uganda. So the justification would be when a ruler is said to be bad( which is unique in personality either by environment or inheritance), then their entire ethnicity and region is to blame and Banished.
It is sad that such ideas are being bred in a country said be a muslim and Allah fearing . Lets wait and see, soon shall the cowries predict the divorce
Thank you Madi. I enjoyed reading your article. It presents an excellent analysis of the stakes and implications of the evolving political context as Coalition members wade through the dilemma of how to keep their promise to citizens. Activists and advocates need to keep reminding the politicians and the people that THIS President is a Coalition President, at least for the duration of THIS mandate (be it 3 or 5 years). HE DOES NOT BELONG TO UDP. He and the Cabinet he has appointed have to be accountable to the Coalition Manisfesto that was signed by the members.
I suggest that CSOs and the media provide non-partisan civic and voter education to raise awareness about the rights and responsibilities of citizens and how to chose and hold political leaders accountable. This should start during this campaign season and provided nationwide using different media outlets (including community radios, bantaba seminars, etc).
Buba Sanyang, I am making French a PRIORITY for my Fulani Gambian daughter because all the countries neighboring The Gambia SPEAK French. SIMPLE AS. In her London Secondary School I have told the teachers that French is her Second Language Option. This is so that if she chooses to go and live in West Africa and work there as an adult, she is fluent in BOTH English and French. Simple practicality.
Dida, of the 15 Countries in Ecowas only five have English as their official language. It will therefore be to the Gambia’s advantage if people can speak French. Sidi is just blinded by hatred so he cannot see the strategic advantage of teaching French in Gambian schools.
Buba Camara, your argument above is very flawed. Hitler persecuted the Jews so asking why the Germans did not continue with that persecution doesn’t make any sense. In case it escape your mind or you do not know, Germany after WW2 were required to conduct there affairs under very strict conditions and some of those conditions still exist. The hunt for Hitler’s Nazi collaborators still continues. Sani Abacha’s brutality was indiscriminate so it won’t make any sense to target the Hausa tribe when they have equally suffered under his regime. Idi Amin was not different from Sani Abacha in that they were both indiscriminate in their acts of brutality. Buba, Kukoi was a Jola yet after the foiled coup of 1981 no one blamed Jolas for it. In fact the vast majority of people who were prosecuted in the aftermath were Mandinkas. Up till this day no one in the Gambia refers to 1981 as a Jola coup attempt. It has always been referred to as Kukoi’s coup attempt. Buba, Jolas were deceived by Jammeh like everyone else in the country. It is high time that Jolas realize that they are no ones enemy. Jammeh has used a security threat facing the Senegalese government to manipulate the Gambian Jolas that he is the only one with whom there salvation lies. Buba, you will agree with me that if the MFDC’s agenda is to create an independent Jola enclave in Cassamance then they are a threat to the peace and security of other tribes in the region and Senegal as a whole. On the other hand if their agenda is for the independence of the entire Cassamance Region then they are a threat to Senegal and Gambian Jolas should not get involved in it. Yahya has sold Jolas a dream and that is all what it will ever be, a dream. It is up to Jolas to take their rightful place in the Gambia and contribute towards national development. Educated Jolas should take a lead in defining what role their community should play in national development and stop playing the victim, every tribe has been victims of Jammeh’s divide and rule politics. How can anyone justify labeling Mandinkas in Kiang or Jarra as tribalist for supporting UDP yet ignore the fact that Jolas in Foni have been consistently voting APRC? What will you call that Buba? Buba there are very few families in the Gambia that have not married into other tribes. That is what binds us together. It is our strength as a nation and it is a strength we should promote instead of continually harping on about our tribal differences.
Thank you , this is your version of how you perceive the current issue. If Abacha and Idi Amin were indiscriminate, was Jammeh discriminate? far from the truth, Jammeh had meted more suffering and insults against the Jola than any other tribe . So your comparison is not balanced
“Yahya has sold Jolas a dream and that is all what it will ever be, a dream. It is up to Jolas to take their rightful place in the Gambia and contribute towards national development. Educated Jolas should take a lead in defining what role their community should play in national development and stop playing the victim, every tribe has been victims of Jammeh’s divide and rule politics”(buba Sanyany)
How can this happen when Jola’s in high positions are being targeted and replaced by Mandikas- The GAF, NIA( Musu Dibba later Ousman Sowe), Gamtel/Gamcel, GPA, but funny enough ,the IGP whose used to pass all the orders (Mandinka) and GRA ( Mandinka) who all used to be part of the security council have been spared?
The fact that we intermarried has not change the game style. The tribalism tendencies is nutured from the homes and hence manifested in the society, you have very very few exceptions. Overall, the Gambia is a very tribal society inherited from Pre independence struggle to lead the newborn and in the first republic ( the Terry Kafo) whose brain child is still alive , But the matter is being cheaply propaganda-red by the So called Jammeh antagonist as if it was he invented it ever in the Gambia. The facts are known and all we need is genuine and self-cleansing off-this virus
For anyone to suggest that the Jolas were responsible for creating Jammeh as a dictator and despot would be preposterous! Come on now, the Jolas are the minority and there is no way they could have accomplished that without colluding with selfish, greedy and ignorant people from other self-interest groups! How many Jolas were in the National Assembly when they passed budget appropriations bills that gave Jammeh unfettered authority to butcher our coffers? How many were there when they nullified the election results in December? Over the past 22 years, how many Jolas have been in Jammeh’s cabinet that implemented policies that so blatantly ravaged the resources of the nation and abused its people, with impunity? Yes, Jammeh helped to empower Jolas and opened up their access to education and jobs. After all, they were (and continue to be) among the most marginalized and disenfranchised groups in the Gambia. So you cannot blame some of them for wanting him back. Now, does that mean the new government should also favor a particular ethnic group? That would be hypocrisy and double standard big league!
Buba Camara, i am not the least surprised at your attempt at still trying to portray Jolas as victims. You have named three people. The NIA DG was removed from his post with several others including Mandinkas so you cannot justify that as tribalism. Do you know that the NIA DG’s mother is/was Mandinka? As for the GAF only the CDS was redeployed, all the heads of the various units are still in their post. So there goes that argument. As for the IGP, i will refer to my comments on him and other security heads. I would also refer you to my posts on the issue of tribalism. I have been consistent in saying that Jolas were a victim of Jammeh’s crimes like everyone else. In fact i have said in my response to you that Jolas were deceived by Jammeh like every one else. No one is targeting Jolas so if you want to play victim that is your choice. You need to take a leaf from your own book and cleanse yourself from seeing tribe in everything. It will do you a lot of good.
You need to take a leaf from your own book and cleanse yourself from seeing tribe in everything. It will do you a lot of good.
The facts are there and no one can try to toy with it. What is happening is typically a Terry Kafoo