(JollofNews) – Since the Opposition Convention in October 2016, all of its leaders, individually and collectively including Pres. Adama Barrow have consistently told Gambians that they had signed a memorandum of understanding to come together as a unified force to bring about change in the Gambia.
Yet eight months after the ouster of the tyrant, the UDP leader Ousainou Darboe said, after all that MoU was never signed by the parties. As if that confusion was not enough, now Haifa Sallah of PDOIS has also called a press conference to insist that all the parties had signed the document even though he did not produce the signed document to display before journalists. Yet he proclaimed his readiness to take on anyone for a debate on national television.
From the statements of these two key political leaders in the country, I had no choice but to weigh on this issue because I am not just disappointed in them but I am also quite angry at the way and manner our politicians take citizens for granted.
In the first place, Ousainou was in jail when the coalition was conceived. His party was fully represented and in fact their candidate became the flag bearer for the coalition. What baffles me therefore is what has UDP leaders told Ousainou when he got out of jail about the coalition? According to Halifa, Dembo Bojang, Aji Yam Secka and Alhagie Darboe were part of the coalition making process and signed up to the document. Is it that Ousainou is now telling us that these UDP leaders never told him that they signed up to the document? Or is Halifa fabricating the story that these people indeed signed the document when they did not?
As a lawyer and a party leader, my expectation is that as soon as he came out of jail, Ousainou would seek an update from his lieutenants so that he takes the necessary steps to correct any anomalies that could be there. Did he do that, and what update did they give him? If indeed they did not sign up to the MoU, did Ousainou not find that concerning so that he gets his party to sign the document and ask all other parties to also do so? But if it is true that they in fact never signed the document, what then was responsible for that, yet they have consistently given the impression that all parties signed the document? But now that Halifa has alleged that UDP leaders at the time signed the document, is it not appropriate for Dembo Bojang, Aji Yam Secka and Alhagie Darboe to therefore speak out to validate or invalidate the statements of either Halifa or Ousainou.
At the other end, Halifa must also not just call a press conference only to repeat the history of the coalition. Rather he should have spoken directly to the issue that Ousainou raised, i.e. Ousainou did not doubt what is in the MoU or how the Coalition was set up. What Ousainou raised is that the MoU was not signed. Therefore the logical thing for Halifa to do was to produce the signed copy of the MoU since he was the convener of the Coalition talks. We recall a few years ago Yaya Jammeh publicly denied that Halifa got any degrees. Immediately Mr. Sallah convened a press conference to display all of his certificates. Therefore the least we expected Halifa to do was to again display the signed MoU to finally and completely dispel the allegations that Ousainou made.
The disappointment from Ousainou and Halifa are further compounded by the silence of Fatoumatta Tambajang Coalition Chairperson, Isatou Touray Independent, Mai Fatty GMC, OJ Jallow PPP, Hamat Bah NRP, Henry Gomez GPDP and Lamin Bojang of NCP. The very integrity of these people is at stake caused by either Ousainou Darboe or Halifa Sallah. On one hand Ousainou is saying they did not sign the MoU, while on the other hand Halifa is saying they signed the MoU. Are these politicians going to keep silent when there are conflicting stories emanating from two key Coalition leaders about what they did or did not do? I think these people owe it to Gambians to speak up as to whether they signed the document or not.
More importantly, the very integrity and credibility of Fatoumatta Tambajang is also at stake here. She cannot and must not keep silent at the potential damage of trust caused to her by either Ousainou or Halifa. Therefore Tambajang must produce her document. According to Halifa, Fatoumatta Tambajang is the custodian of the document hence she must produce the document for us to know whether the MoU was signed or not. Failure to do so would be a great disservice to the nation and an untrustworthy act unbecoming of a person of her caliber.
Whether the MoU was signed or not, the fact remains that no Gambian newspaper (at home or abroad) has ever published the signed copy yet. When you do a Google search for the Opposition Coalition MoU, it does no show! Therefore where is our document? Who has it? Why are these politicians bickering over a document on the basis of which they came together to form a Coalition? It was that Coalition that obtained the support of Gambians to vote for Adama Barrow as president.
Therefore the members of the Coalition, individually and collectively including Pres. Adama Barrow owe Gambians the truth about the signed MoU which they need to produce for the public. Gambians have held the view that the document was signed. Hence it would be indeed an act of betrayal and falsehood for them to have failed to sign the document and not only kept quiet about it but also continue to give the impression that they signed it.
The issue that citizens must recognize here is that this MoU is a national document. It is a historic document that recorded and cemented a national liberation process and achievement. Hence the Coalition MoU must be a document to be put in our national museum and archives for posterity. It is a public property and it must be in the public domain. Thus this document is too important to be played with as a toy by the country’s governing politicians and their parties. The issue of this document is even more pertinent given the issues therein that have become punching bags for opposing parties and their supporters.
Therefore if indeed Ousainou is telling us the truth, then it means Coalition leaders have acted disingenuously for consistently telling Gambians that they had all signed the MoU document when in actual fact they never did. Conversely, if Halifa’s account is the truth then one wonders why would Ousainou tell a different story? For that matter why would the rest of the leaders keep silent when they have a duty to set the records straight? But again why is the signed document not made public?
Above all, Adama Barrow must not sit still while key leaders of the Coalition Government are engaged in a tasteless drama that directly concerns the source of his leadership. For that matter, Barrow must intervene to prevent his government being overshadowed and misdirected by partisan rivalries when there are urgent national issues to address.
Regardless of the political interests of the parties, citizens must not allow politicians to toy with the life and destiny of the country. It is such meaningless political bickering that divides a county when there is nothing for citizens to actually gain or lose. We must not allow politicians to therefore engage in such vain talk. We must demand our Signed MoU to come out in the open, as it is a public property.
God Bless The Gambia
Darboe trying to finish with the coalition ,If they agree with Mr Darboe. The disagreement of darboe means the candidacy of Mr Barrow was invalid
My thoughts inform me that there are several possiblities with reference to the MOU, WHICH IS THE BIRTH MOTHER OF THE COALITION ALLIANCE AND BY DIRECT EXTENSION, THE ADAMA BARROW, UDP LED GOVERNMENT. Without the MOU, NO COALITION ALLIANCE AND NO “COALITION GOVERNMENT”. The Mystery, the Silence and intermittent Recriminations between UDP and other Parties especially, PDOIS, and to some extent PPP, and Mama Kandeh’s Party, GDC, NEED TO BE RESOLVED FORTHWITH BEFORE IT POISONS AND ALREADY POISONOUS POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT IN THE GAMBIA. NGOS, CIVIC SOCIETIES AND INDIVIDUALS SHOULD COALESCE AND FILE A CITIZENS NEED TO KNOW PETITION TO THE COURTS, INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION (IEC), AND THE PARTY LEADERS TO PRODUCE THE MOU WITHIN A SPECIFIED NUMBER OF DAYS. The most efficient way would be through a “Freedom of Information Request”. However, I doubt that Gambian 1997 Constitution has such Provisions. I doubt that if it had it, the current Due Process and Dispensation of Justice in the Gambia would entertain such a Transparent and Diligent Avenue or Provision. Sorry for digressing a bit. FIRST, my Thoughts inform me that the Coalition Alliance MOU was indeed Signed by all Representatives of the Major Parties that Formed the Coalition Alliance Party inorder to Contest the 2016 Presidential Elections as One Unit which brought in the Adama Barrow, Ousainou Darbo, Mai Fatty and Fatoumata Jallow Tambajang Regime. Or the Coalition Alliance Party Representatives Agreed on an MOU, but not all Personally Signed the MOU. For example, Leaders such as Ousainou Darbo Personally may not have Signed the MOU(they were in jail), but the Representatives of UDP did Sign it on behalf of their PARTIES’ Leadership. As long as the Process of Forming a Coalition Alliance Party was Agreed to by UDP Parties and UDP Party Members’ representing the UDP Leadership Signs the MOU of their own Volition, the MOU with all that it Stipulated is Valid and Legally Binding to all Signatories, their Associates and Entities they represented. Ousainou Darbo may well have not Signed the MOU due to the fact that he was in jail at the time. Legally, that is immaterial and I have a feeling that Ousainou Darbo knows that as long as a Representative of the UDP Party Signed on the MOU on behalf of the UDP, they represented at the Coalition Alliance Party Conference or Convention, the Document is with all Legal and Practical Purpose, Signed by the UDP. It does not have to be Signed by Ousainou Darbo for it to be Considered Signed or Legal. Another, alternative possiblity is that the MOU was Signed Under “Duress” by all Party Representatives Representing their Respective Parties and then after the Signing, UDP Party Leadership with maybe three other Party Leaders Out of Eight Parties, had “A Buyer’s Remorse” and Want to Abandon the MOU AFTER THE FACT. As such, a “Behind Closed Doors” Meeting was held by UDP and its’ like Minded “Buyer’s Remorse” Party Leaders and or Representatives to “Dip Six”, Bury the MOU and Endeavor to Destroy the MOU or at least “Bad Mouth” the MOU and Render it “Suspect” and illegal. However, There is no Evidence or Foundation in Evidence that has demonstrated that the MOU NULL OR VOID. There is a very Significant Benefit and or Reason why UDP’S LEADERSHIP in particular, Ousainou Darbo would Endeavor to Invalidate and Nullify the Existence of the MOU. Without the MOU, Ousainou Darbo and UDP Party and Leadership would be in a position to Claim that UDP Won the Presidential Elections all by themselves and that Ousainou Darbo’s “Tactical Coalition” Gambit of the NAM Elections Narrative is Not an Isolated Strategy, but rather a Continuation of the UDP Led Government of the Narrative that Adama Barrow was Not Ushered in by a Coalition Alliance MOU, but by the “Fact” that UDP IS A PARTY OF THE “MAJORITY” ETHNIC GROUP. This would in effect, INVALIDATE the CONTRIBUTIONS of the REST of the other COALITION ALLIANCE PARTIES that SIGNED the MOU and at the same time DE-LIGITIMIZE the MOU. The UPTIC is not only an INSIDIOUS attempt to INVALIDATE and NULLIFY the DOCUMENT that LIGITIMIZED THE PRESIDENCY of Adama Barrow. It also attempts to Dismiss and Make the COALITION GOVERNMENT IRRELEVANT AS A COALITION GOVERNMENT, EXCEPT WHEN LEGIMIZED BY AN ACCEPTANCE OF UDP PARTY AND OUSAINOU DARBO as the MAJORITY PARTY THAT WON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, NOT BECAUSE OF THE COALITION ALLIANCE MOU BUT BECAUSE OF THE MAJORITISM OF THE UDP PARTY SUPPORTERS AND VOTERS COMPARED TO OTHER INDIVIDUAL PARTIES. UDP, OUSAINOU DARBO, MAI FATTY AND SOME OF THEIR SUPPORTERS LIKELY VIEW THE MOU OF THE COALITION ALLIANCE AS AN OBSTACLE TO A GRAND DESIGN AND DESIRE, UNFOLDING STEP BY STEP, PRONOUNCEMENT BY PRONOUNCEMENT FROM THE VARIOUS UDP CAMPS AND IN SENEGAL. THE CURRENT GOVERNANCE OF THE COALITION ALLIANCE GOVERNMENT IS CRISIS RIDDEN DUE IN PART TO THIS UNRESOLVED IMPASSE IN THE GAMBIA’S NEW POLITICAL DISPENSATION. WHEN IGOS GIVE WAY TO CONSTITUTIONALISM AND REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY, NOT “MAJORITISM” AND ETHNIC GROUP POLITICS, GAMBIA WOULD DISOWN ITS PAST AND PRESENT GHOSTS AND REALITY OF ETHNIC GROUP POLITICS AND EMBRACE NATIONAL LAND PATRIOTIC POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE. GAMBIA IS MORE THAN THE SUM TOTAL OF ONE ETHNIC GROUP OR REGION.
I agree with the concerns of Madi, Peace and Sidi and the cause and consequences they draw attention to in such detail and with great aplomb. This matter is fundamental to the legitimacy of the coalition. Again and again we witness these skirmishes between the Gambia’s most distinguished politicians. But this conflict of opinion between Mr Darboe and Mr Sallah must have some grounds for one man’s truth versus one man’s misinformation. It’s a matter too close to call. One man is a Lawyer and the other the Gambia’s greatest authority on the Gambian Constitution.
I agree for the truth to be proved beyond reasonable doubt, with the evidence and hard copy of the MOU. Which those who signed were entitled to a copy. Or perhaps it was never signed and does not exist. That being the case there would be cause for great concern. This is a very unfortunate situation.>>another one of many.
I agree that MOU be made public to dispels rumours as to what exactly was agreed upon. Beside that, I think any such 3 year agreement is subservient to the constitutionally sanctioned 5 year mandate. I think the discussion should be centred on that.
Secondly Gambia does not need an electoral cycle all over again in 3 years time. We have a lot on the table and Barrow staying for the last 2 years is the rational logical conclusion. Thirdly, I dont see how a 3 year barrow govt is disadvantageous to UDP. On the contrary, if anything Barrow resigning in 2 1/2 years favours UDP more than any other party- if the recent national and local govt elections were a yardstick.
GAMBIA: COALITION 2016 MANIFESTO
”INTRODUCTION
People Centred State administration requires appropriate Constitutional and institutional developments complemented by appropriate policies, strategic plans, programmes and projects aimed at improving the general well-being of the citizenry.
Disregard of Constitutional provisions aimed at protection of the citizenry and lack of financial discipline in state administration has transformed Gambia under the APRC into a Heavily Indebted Poor Country which is being increasingly isolated because of governance practices that are in contravention to Good Governance , Rule of Law , Democracy, Human Rights and Substantive Justice.
In this regard , I have offered myself as an Independent Candidate who will serve for only three years at the head of a broad based and inclusive Coalition Government aimed at conducting Constitutional, institutional and administrative reforms that would establish the foundation of a democratic system of administration that would put an end to the culture of impunity and self-perpetuating rule and usher in an era for Gambians to enjoy liberty and prosperity under a system of government that is sensitive and responsive to the needs and aspirations of its citizenry .”
”CONCLUSION
The Independent Ticket supported by Coalition 20`16 aims to create a transitional Coalition Government that would promote tolerance of ethno-linguistic, religious, gender and other diversities in promotion of national unity
We have agreed to put all differences aside to put a transitional government in place that would initiate constitutional, electoral, institutional, administrative and managerial reforms that would make justice guide our action towards the common good and further unify our diverse people to create a democratic system which enables each party to have equal access to the media and seek the mandate of the people in a free, fair and genuine election after a three year transition.”
Note:
The three year transition programme is captured both in the introduction and the conclusion of the electoral manifesto of the coalition which the then candidate and now president Adama Barrow presented at the Independent Electoral Commission in person which is public knowledge. Is this not enough evidence that all the parties have agreed to a three year transition programme regardless whether some other agreement call MOU or whatever was signed by all or not.
Secondly we should remember the meeting where the GDC representative refuses to sign an agreement before the convention. It was at these meeting that the agreement was signed. Before that we could remember a meeting where the press was invited to witness the signing of the agreement and it could not proceed because The UDC representative Mr Honourable alagie Darboe asked to be given time to brief his party leadership who were on a country wide tour during the negotiation. Is the transition period not captured in that document which was undoubtedly said to have been signed by all the parties with the exception of GDC. Whether we call that agreement as MOU or not; does it actually matter?
Fabaks, has added a Substantial and Significant Foundation to a Potential Challenge that Ousainou Darbo and his Plaintives would have to overcome in their Insidious attempt to Nullify and Void the Single Most Relevant and Paramount Document that gave birth to the Coalition Alliance Party and by Extension the Selection of Adama Barrow as the Coalition Alliance Candidate for the 2016 Presidential Elections which unseated former President Yaya Jammeh and ushered in The Adama Barrow, Ousainou Darbo, Fatoumata Jallow Tambajang and Mai Fatty Government. Throughout the Presidential Campaign, UDP Leadership and Supporters held up the Coalition Alliance which is the Offspring of the MOU as their Lifeline, only turn and Betray it with Insidious Abandonment for Selfish and not National Reasons. Yaya Jammeh was a man, the Instrument he Utilized to Legitimize his rule was the Constitution. That is the 1997 Constitution. The very Constitution that Ousainou Darbo and some who would be “Mansa” (King), for “Mansayas” Sake once Opposed and With their presumed dignity, respect, and honor dedicated and rededicate over the years to Exponge, Purge off all the Suspect Repugnant Sections and Sub-sections of the Said 1997 Constitution. Now, come, Six, Seven or Eight months in the Driver’s seat, the same people are now Singing a different tune with regard to the MOU, their Once Sweet Lover and Political Lifeline which they now hold in Contempt and Scorn. Paradoxically, Ousainou Darbo and Supporters are Now against the MOU and the Three (3) years Stipulation which gave birth to the Coalition Alliance, the Coalition Candidate in the name of Adama Barrow and as a by-product enabled Ousainou Darbo and Supporters to be in the POSITION they are in today as the Current Gambian Rulers. One would be forgiven to speculate whether the Rush or Scramble to go to Mecca for the Pilgrimage less than a year of “Governance” in the Gambia, has in great measure to do with the Fact and Realization that, the “Wrong Doers”, some might say “Sinners” against the Gambian People, the MOU AND THE COALITION ALLIANCE need to Atone for their “Sin” against the Gambian People and Beg for Allah’s Forgiveness. I Beg the reader’s indulgence to digress a little. With reference to the Entourage reported to have about 30 Pilgrims who accompanied President Adama Barrow, including Ousainou Darbo and Mai Fatty for the Pilgrimage to Mecca, who is the Pay Master or put in another way, who da dey pay for cost of the Pilgrimage to Mecca? Who are the Pilgrims and what is their Connections to the Various Cabinet Ministers and President Barrow? How much is the cost to the National Treasury? An Enquiry should be Held to Account for the Sources of the Funds. To my good Gambian Citizens of the Christian Faith, are there any Arrangements or Provisions for you too to take a Proportionate number of Pilgrims to the Holyland for a Pilgrimage to the Holy Cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem? What is good for the Goose Should be good for the Ganda. My Thoughts informs me that is what the English man said and it applies in the Gambia of All and not of One Ethnic Group, Religion or Region. Back to the MOU AND THE “ENEMIES OF PROGRESS” as Nollywood laments in many an Episode, who are determined to Usurpe and Undermine the Very Foundation, Bricks and Motar they Utilized to Coalesce as One, to Defeat former President Yaya Jammeh, that is, The MOU AND THE COALITION ALLIANCE. These two elements Propelled Gambia and Gambians from the Status quo of African and Gambian Politics of Self-perpetuation once in Power. However, it appears that Old Habits Die Hard and this African and Gambian Habit is Not going down without a fight. Given that the Country is Young and the Vested interest in the fight for the Old ways is Old, the fight for the Disposition and Displacement of the Old Order with the New Order of Due Diligence, Due Process, Honor, and Sincerity in all Transactions Written or Not, Signed or Not. I take Hon. Halifa Sallah’s allegation as is and trust that he is on the Right side of History on matter of the MOU and it’s Offspring the Coalition Alliance Government. Hon. Salla named names of those who Signed the MOU on behalf of UDP. He also named the Individual Designated for the Safe keeping of the MOU. The fact Ousainou Darbo is alleged to have refused to Sign it Subsequent to his release from Jail after his Representatives Signed off on the MOU TILTS the Burden of litigation of the Matter on him and UDP. The fact that the named Custodian of the MOU and those who Hon. Sallah said Signed it are Silent and yet, have not Provided the Copy of the MOU, can only be interpreted as Substantiating Hon. Sallah’s allegation. Hon. Sallah does not have to do anything else. He Provided the people the names of those who Party to the Signing of the MOU. NOW it is those named who need to STEP UP and Do the Right Thing by telling the Gambian People the Truth and Only the Truth. All Gambians Wait for them to Come Out of the Shadows in to the Day light.
Coalition MOU is a contract between the parties to achieve a common goal – Defeat Yahya Jammeh. That was accomplished. The parties may decide to honor certain promises or obligation reached in the document as long as they are LEGAL in Gambia based on our binding document. It is a historic document that help pave the way to release us from bondage, nothing more. Our goal now is to govern and do what is right by Gambians. Job creation, security, infrastructure, education, food security to name a few. Political leaders and the rest of us must stop wasting valuable energy debating what is in or what is not in the MOU. That is unimportant to the average Gambia who does not have food and water. Look the average Gambia knows that the president term is 5 years, they did not sign up for 3 years, when they risked their lives and limb to go to and cast their marbles. The power hungry and ambitious political elites can’t shove these ideas into our throats. While we are talking about MOU, our people are suffering. It has been 8 months now and the citizens have nothing to show for their struggles. Meanwhile the politicians have new wardrobe, new vehicles, new homes and pocket full of Dalasi. The perfect case of “Monkey works and Baboon chops”.
God Bless The Gambia.