(JollofNews) – Since the APRC NAMs amended Section 48(3) of the Constitution in 2003 to make simple majority or first-past-the-post the rule for winning elections, it became clear that unless there is a single candidate going against Yaya Jammeh, the possibility of voting him out of office was almost impossible.
This bad provision was therefore fundamental in the calls for all opposition parties to come together with a single flag bearer. For more than 10 years this was difficult to obtain until 2016 when the opposition created the Grand Coalition guided by a MoU and a Manifesto.
Hence these parties including the independent presidential candidate have a direct stake and responsibility in the victory of Barrow and the smooth and successful functioning of his government. Having lived through the dictatorship and suffered hugely, these parties therefore have a singular responsibility to usher the Gambia into a modern democratic dispensation as spelt out in their MoU, Manifesto and campaign promises. Their experience itself at the hands of the tyranny is a promise that they have no choice but to repair the damages of APRC and rebuild this country as decided by Gambians on December 1.
Yet so far the Coalition as a group and individual parties have not fully demonstrated to us that they have learnt their lessons and they are using their experience to remake this country. The way and manner of the Coalition members in their individual and collective decisions and actions so far leaves much to be desired. It appears our parties are more preoccupied about power and space for themselves than responding to the urgent needs of the society. For this reason, it is necessary that we become alert to that as citizens to monitor them closely knowing that we cannot anymore let politicians to derail and destroy our lives.
In my assessment I give them with a D score for the simple reason that these political parties that formed the Coalition are not providing the strategic and necessary support that Barrow needs. For example, they generated a lot of bickering in the way and manner cabinet ministers were selected. The back and forth and the amount of time it took to select ministers testify to that fact. Thus following the unfolding nature of events, what became evident was that there was not the necessary consultation and agreement among them as per the terms of their MoU. This vibration became more visible in the run-up to the parliamentary elections.
First they failed to pursue a unified position. Even in that failure they all failed again to stick to their individual desired approaches. For example PDOIS favoured an independent-led approach yet ended up fielding candidates in the name of PDOIS. It refused to stick to its desired approach even if UDP and the others did not agree to it. PPP also appeared to lean towards the PDOIS approach but they ended up also having their own party candidates and even competed against each other. Both of them therefore threw away the tactical alliance under an independent approach that they all supported originally. At the same time UDP, NRP and GMC also failed to stick to their party-led approach as they also failed to contest on the basis of a tactical alliance. Rather they ended up competing against each other in many constituencies. It is clear that party interests influenced all of their decisions.
Hence all of these parties in the Coalition have failed to provide the necessary unity and guidance that Barrow needs. This lack of unity continues to aggravate as it has produced a very unpleasant climate of acrimony between their supporters and surrogates and even between some leaders. Personal and tribal invectives are thrown at each other thereby threatening the nascent democracy we have just achieved as a people. if this trend continues it definitely poses threats to the stability of the Barrow Administration. This must be a huge concern to all citizens.
Consequently all of these make one wonder who really is advising the president. Does the Coalition Executive Committee function, as it should? What has been the role of the Coalition Chair and Spokesperson? As the ruling Coalition, do they hold periodic meetings to monitor the implementation of their Manifesto? Are they following their MoU?
The position and role of the Coalition Chair and Spokesman as well as the Coalition Executive Committee are significant for this administration. But I am concerned that instead of these structures providing the necessary leadership and guidance, rather we see only accusations and counter accusations. The fact that there has been so much rancour over ministerial positions and then the fallout over the parliamentary elections indicates that this Coalition is not standing on a strong foundation of unity with which it started. The continuing indecision over the appointment of the vice president as well as the conflicting positions of Ousainou Darboe and Halifa Sallah over the tenure of Pres. Barrow all point to the lack of consultation and leadership within the Coalition. Meantime the rest of the leadership remains mute over these issues. Why?
As we move forward, it is important that the Barrow Administration including the Coalition parties understand that there is a new narrative in the Gambia. This is the Coalition Government narrative. They are no more opposition parties under a dictatorship and they must not respond to issues as if they are still within that Yaya Jammeh scenario. Rather they need to be proactive and define themselves as the government, which has come to address the civil, political, economic and social issues of the Gambia. They must remain a united and focused Coalition. No one should seek to dominate Barrow and no one should seek to forsake Barrow. All must recognize that the Barrow Administration is their collective baby and until the end of the three years, they have a responsibility to take care of this baby. Failure is not an option.
Now that they are all represented in the parliament, we must tell these parties that what we expect is cooperation and consultation in the supreme interest of the Gambia. The Gambia needs a modern and robust democratic dispensation, which should deliver us out of poverty and deprivation into an advanced and prosperous society. The making of such Gambia lies inside the parliament. We expect these parties therefore to remember and respect their MoU and Manifesto to follow through it because they have highlighted critical issues that are necessary for the creation of that new Gambia. Failure to abide by their MoU and the Manifesto would therefore be a great disservice to the Gambia.
Let citizens now also take ownership of the MoU and Manifesto so that we use them as tools to monitor, engage, support and critique the Barrow Administration and the Coalition and its parties for the good of the Gambia.
God Bless The Gambia!
I give the Barrow administration A.
This is why
1. We are the people are FREE
2.We are able to stabilize the functionaries of governance without a transition and thwart Yahya’s evil intent
3. We have concluded a transparent and clean election to The NA
4. We are slowly but surely dislocating all the mechanism of evil and the legacy of Jammeh
5. We are transforming the GAF
6. We have dismantled the NIA
7. We have stopped state sponsored terror
8. Finally The Dalasi remains stable in spite of all efforts by the reminant of Yahya loyalists to destabilize the economy
All praise to Allah, Mr President you have done well.
God Bless The Gambia.
100% Dr. Sarr – a straight A-grade from me too.
Madi
it is a pity that some of us are still submerged into Jammeh government. The tyrant has fallen agreed and that is history. A new government has come based an a political strategy contained in an MoU. The Gambian citizens were happy and voted for change . The question is the coalition political strategy still being followed. The definite answer is NO. Even the blind can answer that.
How then can some people still fail to accept the fact that without following their strategy they can achieve any meaning, coherent and realistic results deviod of personal, tribal, and partisan underpins.
clearly, the failure of the new government to accept the Mou as a framework for the new gambia is leading to dismal performance. No VP in 100 days no reason but mere refusal bcos there are more than half a million Gambian fit to be VP. No cabinet meetings each ministry operate on a fire brigade approach to issues. No transparent appointment of Technical/professional s. All are based on favouritism, nepotism, tribalism, partisan lines.
To give an A grade to the new government amidst the blantant deficiency show s tha some of us are still emotionally driven by Jammeh Jammeh.
To believe that this government is competently doing its job amidst all this graves issues would be naive and we risk sinking intobthe red sea should this trend continue.
Let us be broadminded to see Gambia rather than people, tribes or parties.The fact remains that No tribe, or party can claim to have removed Jammeh.It was a movement under the coalition and any attempt to snub this movement woukd mean another failure
“dr” Isatou Sarr and Mad(i) Nyamakalo Jaalo Jobarteh, Jollof News 3rd May 2017
After some time in hibernation you have reappeared with your fantasy style of eulogizing an inept and an incompetent administration mostly based on you naive nature in analyzing issues as an honest and truthful person. You are hateful and egocentric.
After wasting our resources at a futile swearing-in ceremony in Dakar; staying at one of the most expensive hotels with a bunch of opportunists at the cost of the Gambian taxpayers’ money; after staying at a SeneGambia hotel cum office where millions of dalasis were wasted; after sending his wife to a false wedding party in Dakar where our money was taken and hidden in one of Senegal’s banks; after shuttling capitals in Europe and West Africa with no results that our citizenry have been told; after wasting our resources on a stupid independence and re-swearing-in ceremony where over 4 people were killed; after stealing to refurbish the Fajara residence and the on-going State House refurbishing project; after wasting our resources on stationing the invading Senegalese forces on our soil; after hiring buddies at key public offices based on party, tribal, regional and personal allegiances; after annulling press conferences to inform the citizenry on government policy blueprints and the uncountable loss of the millions that have been sent by donor countries, you still cling onto your nonsensical support of a dysfunctional administration headed by a semi-educated British Argos watchman.
You are LYING that the dalasi remains stable. It keeps floating at 49-50 dalasi per 1 Euro at official rate and 51-52 dalasis per euro at the black market rate. With no favourable economic atmosphere that stimulates import/export trading and attract foreing or local investment, how can the dalasi remain stable?
The dismantling of the NIA by name only to maintain it with the same functions without tangible policy outlines is ludicrous. That’s what’s in place at the NIA/SIS. The transformation of the GAF is tribalistic and nepotic. And as long as that continues, this inept administration will the the near future answer to that irresponsible attitude of demoting or dismissing people on tribal sentiments.
We have been FREE during the 22 years of the President Jammeh vibrant and progressive government. That’s why the country made a million-mile economic, social and political headway devoid of the decadent President Jawara regime he inherited from. That’s the excellent legacy your bitty incompetent administration is working on as a support pillar.
The difference we made is enshrined in our Pan Africanist and patriotic styles of ruling that negated any neocolonial and dependency tendencies. We ruled on strenghtening our Gambian-ness, our Black consciouness and our Muslim and traditional virtues coupled with the most modern development trends. Unlike your reactionary and unpatriotic administration that is tending a begging hand to Senegal/France/Europe we ruled to uphold our self-esteem and reliance.
Your fat-bellied half-educated British Argos watchman in presidential clothing can and will NEVER take this country to higher heights. Be candid, he’s NOT fit for the position he’s holding. Allah the Almighty (SWT) has given us this wrong substance. But remember that NOT all His divine gifts are blessings. At this epoch of advanced technology heighten with political, social and economic interactions at national and international levels, this mediocre half-educated school boy cannot represent our ideals at any stage of our development stride. He’s the wrong choice who needs to go back to the classroom.
It’s time you loosen your support, speak more coherently for them to hear and stop the unethical eulogy for people who have done NOTHING in ONE HUNDRED DAYS!
Babu Soli
I thought i will not bother again to counter your uncivilized, hateful, ignorant, heartless bullshit ramblings but i can’t help it. You are a damn liar by declaring yourself a pan African when you are nothing but a hateful insidious tribalist asshole. Only an asshole can utter words like ”we have been FREE during the 22 years of President Jammeh’s vibrant and progressive government. What does freedom means to you? you primitive blood sucking unenlightened educated fool. Arbitrary arrests and detentions, violations of rights of citizens, muzzling of the media, rampant torture chambers around the country, rapes, disappearances without trace and abrogation of our constitution. Is this what freedom means to you? you heartless beast.
The difference you made Babu was enshrined in your despotic unpatriotic styles of ruling that embraced dependent tendencies by centralizing all enterprises of government under the sole ownership of Yahya Jammeh and his evil stooges. The point of reference in this regard is the confiscation of good arable lands all around the country from their rightful owners and appropriated using our sovereign funds to benefit only Yahya and his cronies, thus rendering the affected land owners destitute, therefore dependency becomes their only option.You ruled on undermining our Gambian-ness, our black consciousness and our Muslim and traditional virtues by doing everything contrary to what we as Gambians stood/stand for. Wearing a white robe with prayer beards don’t makes one a Muslim.
A paupers son when he came to power with just ordinary level qualification turned a billionaire in 22 years at the expense of our hard working citizenry. A mansion in Maryland, United states valued at over 30 million dollars. Over 100 compounds and business in the Gambia. Wife and children shuttling around the world in private jets for shopping, holidays or leisure while our hard working citizens living from hand to mouth. Private properties confiscated and appropriated to others because of tribal alliance.
It is time Babu to loosen your head from the mule’s ass and stop the unethical eulogy for a man who destroyed our land, raped our women, tortured and killed our menfolk, looted our sovereign wealth, abrogated our constitution, tribalised our institutions by sowing the seed of hatred between the various tribes and the same hatred that eventually jolted him from our land with tail between his sorry skinny legs.
Stop mentioning the name of Allah in your ramblings please while lying to your teeth. Allah knows all things best and may He serve judgement on Yahya and liars like you in the very near future. Amen!
Babu Soli the fact that you are able to write your hate laden rant without fear is testimony of the great strides made by The Barrow administrator to the joy and pride of all Gambians.
Just imagine what would happen to you in the middle of the night if you said such things during Jammeh’s dictatorship . I will tell you what you already know. NIA will seize you and transport you to Kanilai. You will receive the beating of your life, then they will dump your body in the water to feed Yahya crocodiles.
Don’t be afraid, you are safe now. Thanks to Mr Barrow.
When I read what you write, I mostly feel sorry for you and I pray that whatever part you played in the injustice and torture inflicted on Gambians Allah forgive you.
“dr” Isatou Sarr,ç
“Just imagine what would happen to you in the middle of the night if you said such things during Jammeh’s dictatorship . I will tell you what you already know. NIA will seize you and transport you to Kanilai. You will receive the beating of your life, then they will dump your body in the water to feed Yahya crocodiles”.
You said the same statement on several occasions and I responded the same way. But how many Gambians didn’t go through your insinuated “ordeal” during the 22-year Jammeh government? Those who underwent the “ordeal”, why did they and what did they do? I have on several occasions told you that, I am not a “dr” Sarr who believes on hearsay and RADIO KANKANG KIBAARO.
Are the Kanilai crocodiles still there? Presumably, your neocolonialist invading Senegalese forces have a lot of crocodile meat to feed on.
Your Barrow man knows very little to decide amongst the heavy-headed cronies that surround him. He can’t just DECIDE. Imagine a Grade 6 school boy heading a secondary school. In the midst of his coworkers what can such a personality do? Let’s stop fooling ourselves with lofty and imaginary would-be achievements, your guy is just NOTHING!
Gambian people are born with innate peace and forgiveness virtues, so no individual or alliance or grouping can grace himself with entrenching those virtues in our society.
If voices weren’t echoed from the onset to halt their atrocities, we would have had the most brutal violation of our rights. Remember the arrest and remanding of a lady of 5 children for “insulting” “president” Barrow!
Because your administartion had taken on the keen dictum of “Jammeh did it, so do we”, when really they were and still are full of revenge and hate.
May Allah(SWT) help us deshackle de clutches of this inefficient administration. AMEEN
Message to a Dictator;
For what does it profit any man, to gain the whole world, only to lose one’s soul;
>.and thereby we expose the mortality of all men.