News, Politics

Gambia: I Will Wrestle All Opponents Down – Barrow

(JollofNews) – President Adama Barrow has vowed to prove all his opponents wrong with his groundbreaking development projects, adding that the Basse project is just the beginning of many more upsets to come for his doubters.

“I want the media to capture all what is unfolding here clearly, because I know some of them are out there who will interpret things otherwise. This is why I want it to be made clear so that there will be no argument. There is a saying in {Mandinka} that if you are wrestling with a stubborn wrestler, throw him into ashes but this time I have thrown the wrestler into the fire,” Barrow told a large crowd drawn from all over the country who have gone to witness the laying of the foundation stones for the 50KM Basse-Koina road, Basse-Wuli and Fatoto-Passamas crossing, Chamoi and Suduwol bridges, respectively on Saturday.

Barro said ousting Yahya Jammeh through the ballot box has shown that Gambians are now politically aware and will not allow anyone to fool them.“I am very sure that you are following unfolding events and I am aware that you are the people who can vote presidents in and out. I want to tell you today that the mandate you give me is to work and I want to assure all of you that until my term ends, my efforts and focus will be to work for the Gambia,” he said.

He continued: “I have one of my elders who used to say that if two people are arguing about who is more beautiful in the night, just tell them to wait until day break when all will be seen clearly. What I want to tell you is that I will do in this country what Jawara and Jammeh could not do. Is not me, it is God who gave me the job and I am sure God will help me. I just want your prayers so that I can achieve the desire I have for the country. I want to end my presidency and stay here for everybody to see what I have done…which will serve as a name for me forever.”

He thanked the crowd for giving him what he described as the biggest ever welcome in the history of Basse. “No president, from Jawara to Jammeh ever got such a resounding welcome as I had here and with it you have given me strength and confidence. None of you was forced to come here. All of you came to show solidarity with me and I am saying thank you for that.”

The confident looking Barrow punched the air in a show of strength as he entered the venue to a resounding welcome by a large crowd who chanted “Wee Barrow” in their loud voices.

“This work will continue and 2019 will be a turning point in the Gambia. We will open a bridge in Farafenni where I will be attending together with [President] Macky Sall. In 2019 we will do things and do things again and again,” he noted, adding that all this cannot be possible without the support of the Gambian people.

Some members of the crowd dressed in T-shirts with the president’s picture and with the words “Barrow’s New Direction”.

The Gambian leader said the construction of the road and bridges will mark as a significant milestone in the development of URR and the entire country.

He said as the first project rolled out by his administration Gambians can expect many projects in the near future, saying he is determine to build a legacy that any other president after him will find difficult to beat.

“Growing up and living here for the most part of my life, I am a living witness to the difficulties one endures in trying to move from one part of the region to the other especially during emergency times. The project is a clear manifestation of my government’s commitment towards bridging the rural-urban development gaps,” he said.

The URR and CRR, he added, have been isolated for ages due to poor infrastructure, especially in the areas of accessing basic human needs, adding when completed the project will provide vital access to the surrounding communities.

“When completed it is possible for one to travel the entire URR in just 40 minutes. In short the project will generate greater social cohesion within communities and as well facilitate regional integration,” he added.
The Minister of Transport Bai Lamin Jobe revealed that the construction of the road would commence effective 15 December and finish on 16 April 2021, adding that the size of the road will be 10 metres with the length 47. 13 kilometres and that it will have 45 culverts.

He further noted that the road will affect certain properties because they don’t want to vandalise the electric pole, but he was quick to add that those affected will be compensated.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Ambassador to The Gambia, Ma Jianchun, said the project and bridges construction in URR is the very first major bilateral cooperation project between China and The Gambia since Barrow assumed office, adding that so far it is the biggest grant project in terms of finance scale and the first ever road infrastructure project in the history of “our bilateral relations”.

“The prompt decision and launch of the project demonstrates clearly the firm commitment of the Chinese Government to a strong relationship with The Gambia and Africa to a larger extent,” he said.

Writing by Omar Bah

35 Comments

  1. “I will wrestle all opponents down”, President Barrow, as quoted above.
    Well, it looks like the battle lines for the next presidential election are being drawn. I hope sanity and respect for each other prevails when that day arrives, as it surely will, unless Barrow avoids seeking a 2nd term.

  2. This guy just wakes up every day with a hangover and then goes on to open his mouth in public without first thinking and checking himself out. He is fully drunk on power and high on political steroids.
    For starters, whom is he wrestling with for the progress of this country? As far I know, the battle is between him and himself alone, for their is no other contender presently, whom he has to outdo or be outdone by. He is the head of state and the upliftment of the socioeconomic conditions of the country and its citizens should be his priority. His mysterious opponents (those he dare not name; or are they nameless?) are not at the helm of our affairs and are therefore absolved of undertaking development projects in the name of Gambian people. Which brings me to the next point:
    ________________________________________________
    The road and bridge projects are financed by the Chinese government in the form of loans and or grants. What is there to boast about charity and debt? Could someone please give him some strong coffee to wake up from his confused state of mind. Fatou Bah or one of his advisers seems to be neglecting the very fundamental duty of keeping the president sober.
    _________________________________________________
    Adama and Macky Sall are birds of the same feather. Corrupt to core and not fearful of summoning Gods name when it suits them best.
    Check this: He claims he will bring “development” to The Gambia that Jawara and Yaya could not achieve but this is not because of his own human prowess, rather, because God has given him the job.
    Well Dawda and Yaya all bragged about their divine ordinance by God, to lead and bring us Singapore and Dubai respectively. They were the chosen ones, they said, and asked for prayers that were never answered. Yet, their legacies speaks volumes only about corruption, incapacity, laziness, lying, daylight thievery, killings, cluelessness, ignorance……you add to the list.
    Macky Sall is doing the same thing in Senegal, so no wonder he consults his financial benefactor(s) like Macky and the……..businessman who donated vehicles to him all the time. We know this! We have family and friends up there. Gaddamit!
    Will someone please send this political novice to his alma mata, who happens to just now be coming to their senses that Adama should serve the agreed coalition mandate and then STEP DOWN.
    How hard is that to comprhend?

  3. The new sought opponents are the critics of Barrow youth movement and the twin Barrow foundations.

    With good reason I count myself to those people. A democratic elected president does not need a youth movement and initiating one is a sign of sinister motives.
    We have legitimate govt agencies legally entrusted to implement the govt development projects as budgeted and as endorsed by the parliament with the regulatory oversight of the law and accountability.

    As victims of Jammeh sinister and terror, we must stand firm to object to this nonsense no matter at what cost.
    UDP leadership distancing the party from the youth movement is a necessity and a signal that Barrow cannot misuse the party for his own political adventurism.
    He is absolutely free to form a new political party and integrate his youth movement in to it.
    But disguising behind a youth movement to erode and weaken other parties is unacceptable and very deceptive. Such a behavior shall not prevail.

  4. @ Kemo (Kinteh): I am perplexed as to why the UDP and its supporters all of a sudden want Adama to play by the rules. The very first infraction on the coalition agreement was spearheaded by none other than the very person the coalition agreement saved from imminent death. Am talking about Ousainou.
    Adama has learned and mastered the art of political populism from the party calling itself “the biggest party in The Gambia”.
    He is doing no different than Ousainou would have done if he was the president, and lest we forget, he is the Vice President of the republic.
    Bashing Adama because he is getting too powerful for the liking of the UDP is hypocritical at best. Talk of the coalition transition instruments is just dead in your camp. May I ask why?
    Please allow me to add the fact that UDP holds a parliamentary majority in the NA. Unfortunately though, they could not translate numbers into momentum to transform even the basic tenets of our collective lot into any tangible form of progress.
    For this reason and many more, I keep on repeating that quantity without quality in politics is just gimmicks.

  5. Kinteh Keh; the Barrow Youth Movement was initially blessed by all in the UDP-camp (including the hierarchy) until lately when Barrow the understudy couldn’t come to terms with Ounsainou Darboe in handing back the party leadership baton so soon; Barrow thought (expected) consequentially, after politically being shown technically the ‘legal’ loophole & how to dudge the ‘unsigned-unconstitutional’ Coalition MOU Agreement for the Transitional term for partisan (UDP) purposes, (that) he would’ve continue to complete the (his) two term limit everyone aspire for in the upcoming Constitution; as stepping down after only a term, will take the momentum away from his assending & might also not even guarantee another opportunity for a second term for him; whilst Ounsainou on the other hand, battling with age, can’t afford to wait for another five year term after this; also that, another influence (Barrow-being the president) is now effecting other decisions within the party which isn’t necessarily controlled by Ounsainou & the others in the hierarchy who felted entitled to their own leadership aspirations; evidently….?
    The Constitution, IF done Properly, will take care of the youth movement & foundation issues engaged by incumbent presidents; as opposed to how it currently obtained in the Gambia, which is vehicle for corruption & corruptible consequences which mustn’t continue for obvious reasons…
    My take is; Barrow will go for another (5-year) term regardless; since technically already been shown (that) the Coalition (3-years transition) MOU isn’t in line with the Constitution; & wasn’t also appended to in signatures, so as for it (Agreement) to technically be accepted in a court of law; this is why, we repeatedly heard the other parties involved, referred to the Agreement as “gentlemanly”; which (gentleman agreement), in understanding the dynamics of politicians, never exists; as politics is selfish partisan endeavour everywhere & anywhere in disguise pretensions of the politicians; as we’ve witnessed with the UDP’s behaviour in betraying the Coalition Agreement that gained the Gambia our communal freedom & eventually prosperity….
    Since the Coalition MOU won’t be honoured anymore; there’s no harm in Adam Barrow too, seeking for a second & final term; the decision is left to the Gambia as a community together, not by a particular political party….
    I hope that the Gambia community continues to raise awarenesses of electorates, to vote geared for socioeconomic developments from henceforth & not on mere sentiment based on politics of blind-allegiance…
    God bless Gambia….

  6. The three year transition period should’ve been marked by REFORMS and not consolidation of political power(s) based on populist rhetoric and opportunistic self perpetuation. People, this is what we fought against at very high individual and collective prices. Talk of the risks taken by many a son and a daughter of our country leading to death and annihilations.
    There is no justifiable reason to allow Adama to rule us for more than three years. If he does, there exist the potential for conflict and chaos. The people will rise up to demand he steps down and as usual, he will set the security buffoons on demonstrators to quell legimitate and constitutionally guaranteed rights to assembly. Indeed there will be lost of lives, however, that will be blamed on agitators as that’s the only defense in the book.
    But Gambians will never again surrender their rights to crooks and thieves even if threatened with boots and guns.
    The incident in front of the parliament should be a lesson for bigger acts of resistance to come.
    Reminder to UDP & supporters: the occupy Westfield was sabotaged UDP militants with the threat of a counter demonstration giving the police grounds, albeit flimsy, to refuse the demonstrators a gathering. Am sure they are regretting that decision today. Ohhhhhh, how the table so quickly turns!
    The cause of our present political and economic quagmire could be laid squarely at the door steps of none other than Ousainou Numukunda Darboe. He set dynamite on a plan that was going to work for every citizen, sadly, he replaced it with none.
    I wonder how he could look himself in the mirror every and be contend with the mischief he has brought us.

  7. It is at this material time incumbent upon leaders of political parties that formed coalition 2016 to convey a meeting and come out with a statement as to the state of the agreement between the parties and individuals that form the coalition. Failure to do so, will be tantamount to deceiving and lying to the electorate on what was sold to us as a manifesto. Should Adama refuse to step down, the political parties will then be at liberty to completely distance themselves from his regime. This will clear the air for people like me to start organizing daily protests and strikes until Adama leaves the State House and honors his words never to seek political office again.
    Period!

  8. KILL 2 BIRDS WITH ONE STONE, is the motto of those who oppose a Barrow presidency and a sole UDP gov’t. And at the moment the probability to achieve both is within grasp! At least so it seems. Mwalimu, I count you among this group.
    And there is those who would prefer keeping the lesser of 2 devils! And in their eyes better Barrow than Darboe. Because for some reasons they don’t trust the mood of the voters. And the other political heavyweights will play a lesser roles in future elections. They are prepared to overlook Barrows missteps just because it protects them from the no option. Which is a sole UDP gov’t. And at the moment the probability to prevent a UDP govt in the future is within grasp! At least so it appears.
    Let them go for it. But they need to also vote for him. It is not enough to speak for and bash others for him. Goodluck!

  9. Ahh! Kemo, the UDP tactic of dodging simple questions is legendary. Well done with the analysis though. However Mwalimu will have to disappoint you on that. I neither have a motto in my political activism (a little one for that matter), no do I want to see any of the entities you mentioned perish from our political landscape. BUT, mind the emphasis, I want to see a politics of real issues and not power grabbing machinizations, leading to the sidelining of what truly matters.
    You see my problem with your party is that you people have only one topic or two at the most. UDP UDP UDP UDP and then OUSAINOU……………
    My politics is how to develop the economy of The Gambia, get Gambians free, accessible and high quality education, how to keep Gambians heathy through prevention and curing, how to produce what we need in our country and export the rest to the world, how to bridge the gender inequality gap between men and women in various fields, how to provide uninterrupted water and electricity supply at an affordable price for Gambians, how to make our students excel in higher education and make them inventors and innovators and make them the most sought after academic commodities in the world, how to stop our dependence on charity, aid and borrowed money at back breaking cost, how to harmonize interstate and inter-people relations between countries in the subregion, how to give our young people lucrative opportunities in sports and the arts……………
    So I will once more ask you two questions, with the hope that you will answer them without resorting to maneuvering tactics:
    1) Why is there no talk of the coalition agreement in your political camp?
    2) How will a UDP government manage the economy of The Gambia to make our homeland a place not to run from but a hub for high standards of living for the citizenry?

    Yours in the service of The Gambia and Afrikka, I remain.

  10. Mwalimu, as a fellow Gambian I owe you answers but not in the capacity as udp executive but as an ordinary fellow Gambian based on my experience, discussions and interactions with UDP members and middle level party officials.
    Party programme: UDP has always issued a manifesto prior to elections. I am not in hold of one readily. In it, for example, the empowerment of the rural folks through diversification of agriculture is an objective. UDP also pioneered the re-schooling and re-orientation of the security forces training to include vocational training so that the soldiers are not solely gun-carrying nonentities. I find the above objectives very important for Gambia, because Agriculture must be our priority industry as it determines what we eat and has ripple effect on heath, the wider economy in terms of imports and as employment sector for the youths in the provinces.
    Security reforms to ensure our soldiers and police officers are not only equipped with Guns but other skills that will guarantee occupational options after active duty, is paramount to guaranteeing our fledgling democracy and the maintenance of our institutions. Coming from military rule, Gambia is well advised to make this reforms to cater for wide ranging chances for young people in security industry as well as in the maintenance of peace and protection of the constitutional order. As Barrow’s inconsistencies grow, this objective of UDP is much more relevant and still very necessary.
    As to the coalition, I believe UDP is doing it duty in the best interest of the country. As according to the plan it has 4 minister in Gov’t. The rest of the ministries supposed to be spread among other coalition partners and technocrats. Don’t ask me why this is not to other people’s satisfaction. You have to ask Barrow.
    And to the coalition 3 year agreement:
    You may blame Darboe for saying the constitutional mandate is 5 years and Barrow “must not resign” after 3 years. But I see in Darboe’s statement foresight and wisdom. Imagine he insisted on the 3 year agreement, imagine the accusations that will pile up that he is power hungry. Imagine the insecurity that maybe generated. Even though he said the man should finish his term as per the prevailing constitution, people who do not want him at all are saying he is power hungry and thereby neglecting the established statistical fact that should there be an election in Gambia 2019, a UDP flagbearer will be the favourite either as UDP lone candidate or alliance leader in some form of coalition. So UDP is poised to gain in these elections more than any other party in the country. These facts are based on the parliamentary election and local gov’t elections results since 2016.

  11. Thank you very much for your reply Kemo.
    By the way, I would like to categorically state that you owe me no obligations to answer or not to answer. By the same token, I reserve the right to critique anything that is in the public sphere, underpinned of course, by courteous rules of engagement.
    ______________________________________
    For reasons beyond my control, I can only reply to the points you raised in the next few hours, hopefully.
    Thanks for your patience.

  12. @ Kinteh (Kemo):
    I have said this and I will say it again. You are probably the first UDP supporter or militant who has given me a semblance of the aims and objectives of the United Democratic Party should they become the entity at the helm of executive governance in The Gambia.
    Unfortunately, we have never utilized our time to get to the bottom of the UDP manifesto in this space. We are on good footing though.
    So lets get started.
    First, I have tried on many occasions to lay hands on the political manifesto of your party of choice for years to no avail. Trust me, I have tried on many different fronts. Accident or design, I can’t tell.
    But if you are a strong supporter of the party as you have shown and proven on many occasions, it will be within the realm of reasonable expectations for you to be conversant with what the party specifically intends to achieve for The Gambia in every sector and sub sector of the nations life. So it’s no credible excuse to say you are not part of the party top echelon, therefore you have no immediate access to that information.
    ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
    RURAL FOLK EMPOWERMENT THROUGH AGRICULTURAL DIVERSIFICATION.
    ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
    The Gambia does not lack diversity of agricultural produce. Compared to many countries, we have a very suitable climate that readily supports the growing of all the basic food crops that are consumed domestically and could be exported near and far. Rice, peanuts, coose, millet, wheat, maize, potatoes, mangoes, oranges, bananas etc, are all suitable for the sub-tropical climate that exists in our region.
    The animal husbandry subsector has enough species that could and should have catered for the needs of the whole country without having the need to import cheap quality and expensive diary products from Europe and Asia.
    ____________________________________________________
    In order to solve a problem, you need proper diagnosis to identify the ailment in nature and scope. This was the reason why both the PPP and APRC regimes failed to develop the Agricultural sector of The Gambia.
    The UDP does not seem to have an alternative approach if we are to go by what you said.
    So what is the solution? I will leave that space open for now.
    ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
    RE-SCHOOLING AND RE-ORIENTATION OF THE SECURITY FORCES…
    :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
    An exercise long overdue. However, the focus cannot be on vocational training as an after career tool to fall on. First, you need to investigate the desirability of the various security and defense apparatus to suit the needs of the country. A herculean task that requires knowledge in various disciplines from history, economics, military science and warfare to gauge the immediate and long term needs of the country.
    As it stands, the security apparatus is in total disarray for lack of leadership and reform. You don’t maintain peace and stability through the suppression of rights and indoctrination. These two are maintained by empowering the civilian population to be owners and custodians of rights and responsibilities. Security arms need to be educated to be aware of their limits in enforcing the law.
    So what is the solution? I will leave that space open for now.
    _______________________________________________
    We cannot speculate on what Ousainou was thinking or what his intention was when he made the five year utterance. What matters is the outcome of those utterances. To absolve himself of blame or lack thereof it, I believe, is not a motive for toppling the coalition agreement. Ousainous argument that the three year agreement is illegal holds no water. I will not dwell on that because there are highly qualified legal personalities who has debunked that assertion.
    ___________________________________________________
    Let me refresh my memory and yours too, that the coalition MoU and Manifesto were very compact and comprehensive documents containing programs meant for three years. The mandate limit is just a very minute part of the whole accord. What about the mining sector auditing and reform. Don’t tell me the UDP does not know anything about that. Amadou Sanneh was specifically asked about this in the NA by Halifa Sallah and he could not answer that very simple question. That is the management and administrative pedigree of the UDP in broad daylight. How about Ousainou signing deportation agreements with the EU without proper consultation with coalition partners and civil society organizations. That is a display of the UDP’s incompetence in international diplomacy.
    Kemo, the party you are supporting is only interested in maintaining the status quo to become relevant. That’s cheap.
    As to who will win elections in 2019 should there be one, I think you are ignoring one factor. Adama back then, has in some subtle and some unsubtle ways thrown his weight behind UDP candidates. In cash and in kind too, we know he was sponsoring your candidates. The sources of those incentives are are very murky; they were intended to be.
    So this hypothetical chance you are throwing out there is not factual.
    __________________________________________________
    In conclusion, I will kindly ask you to point me to a source where I can lay my hands on your manifesto, for without such a document that can stand tough scrutiny, the UDP will remain a party of drumming, clapping, asobi touting and benachin eating camp, for people like me, who won’t take political rhetoric at face value.

    • Mwalimu, just Google “UDP Manifesto 2016-2021”. I’m sure you will find it. I have a copy saved on my phone, but don’t know how to provide, unfortunately.

  13. This is what it says under Agriculture:

    “AGRICULTURE

    One of the important handicaps to our development is the low productivity, especially in the agricultural sector where the overwhelming majority of the population is engaged. Raising the productivity of farmers would raise not only their living standards and thereby reducing poverty, but also create a healthy and well-off rural population who will provide an important domestic market.

    In this regard, a UDP administration will develop a national agricultural policy to tackle the low productivity and address the constraints faced by our farmers.  This will lead to programs and actions in the following areas.

     i) Increasing the yield of the land under cultivation. This will require improved technological packages and efficient extension services.  Timely access to credit and other related inputs will be encouraged.

    ii) Increasing the land area under cultivation. This will entail bringing more land under cultivation. In this regard we shall pursue an active policy of more swamp lands rain-fed rice cultivation through the cultivation of dams and other protective structures against salinization and for water conservation. We shall support construction of causeways and footbridges to ease access and movement inputs to and produce from swamp rice fields.

    iii) Improve Credit Service.  Access to credit is an important determinant in increasing productivity. Today the credit needs of the farmers have not been addressed satisfactorily. We shall work with the commercial banks and other lending agencies to develop a differentiated and responsive credit system that addresses the various credit needs of the various categories of the farming community.

    iv) Provision of Agricultural Inputs. The UDP Government will work with the private sector as well as farmers’ unions to take bold and innovative steps to ensure that agricultural inputs are delivered on a timely basis and in adequate quantities to farmers at reasonable prices. Availability of good quality seeds will be given special attention through, among other things encouragement of Government and private seed production institutions. Village seed and serial banks will be established. The party will address issues relating to farmers at the grassroots level by providing back-up support services in the form of training and other incentives.

    v) Marketing Services.  Increased productivity will require market outlets. A network of markets will need to be developed especially for the food crops and horticultural produce that will ensure fair prices for the producers. We shall encourage and support development of such markets at national, sub-regional and international levels. Appropriate technologies will be evaluated on processing and preservation of seasonally available agricultural products to increase incomes and availability during other times of the year.

    vi) Research and Development.  We will develop effective programs to improve on the quality and yield of produce.  The successful results of these researches shall be introduced nation-wide through efficient and strengthened extension services.  Participatory, multidisciplinary and demand driven research strategies, through which sustainable crops and livestock management systems could be put in place, will be adopted.

    vii) Institutional Reform and Adaptation.  To support the objective of greater agricultural productivity the institutions in the agricultural sector will be reviewed and adapted to face the new challenges.

    In this respect the National Agricultural Research Institute will be capacitated and strengthened in order to enable it to generate agricultural technologies that are environment-friendly and adapted to our socio-economic conditions.

    viii) The Soil and Water Management Unit (SWMU) shall be upgraded and expanded with the objective of opening up more land for rain-fed rice and irrigation cultivation in supporting the policy of food security. Also, this unit will be enabled to expand its capacity for tackling the increasing upland soil erosion and degradation problems.

    ix) Agricultural Diversification. Agricultural diversification provides another opportunity to raise farm income.  In addition to the traditional tree crops, we shall promote the introduction of improved varieties of fruit trees and vegetables. The planting of these trees will not only generate revenue but also improve the vegetation cover. The annual tree planting season will be reinstated.

    x)  Encourage regional concentration of crop cultivation commensurate with their inherent potential and maximizing productivity.”

    • Thanks Bax for providing the above section.
      I cherish the exchanges we have even though we are across different political leanings. That is how it should be and this is how I always interact with fellow Gambians or any one living within borders or have interest in our country. We must learn to accommodate!

    • Thank you Bax for providing the above section.
      I cherish the exchanges we have and sense of goodwill even though we are across different political leanings. But that is exactly the essence of citizenship. Learn to disagree and accommodate different views and motivations. This is how I always strife to interact with fellow citizens, people living within our borders and people having interests in our country.

    • Thanks Bax for providing the section of the manifesto. It shows a considerable readiness to reach out and understand political opponents.

      I cherish the exchanges more so because we are coming from different perspectives and political leanings. This is how it should be. We must learn to disagree and accommodate all views and accepting goodwill in motivations of our fellow citizens, all people within our borders and the people interested in our country.

      The democratic dispensations with checks & balances anchored on the rule of law will ultimately deliver the country.

  14. …oppose a Barrow presidency and a sole UDP gov’t…there is those who would prefer keeping the lesser of 2 devils!..better Barrow than Darboe. Because for some reasons they don’t trust the mood of the voters…UDP is doing it duty in the best interest of the country…
    #Kinteh kemo; just as in your (some) opinion quotes above, everyone else are entitled to own opinion too, including Bajaw Touray; my last opining wasn’t upon any political influence whatsoever (as assumed) but just independent distant observer view from outside (UDP) political boundary; as have indicated on umpteen times that I’m APOLITICAL & WILL EVER remain so; for my conviction is to Gambia ONLY, to best of my fallible ability regardless….
    My little efforts will aspire to surgically dissect political issues independently; for my own & greater Gambia community’s sakes & consumption; geared towards awareness elevation of the community, for people to independently make informed choices politically, towards greater socioeconomic advancements; for continued sustainable Nation building; this is incumbent upon ALL & EVERY Gambian, political &/apolitical….
    I don’t loose sleep over or mistrust Gambian voting patterns for I’m fervently aware that I don’t possess any influence over any individual/person when comes to voting; all I can do is contribute my constitutional quota as required, in honesty…
    The Barrow youth movement, foundation &/ corruption is being criticised lately by the UDP camp & executive because of internal (UDP) political issues within, when UDP as the political entity of Adama Barrow was the party engaged in the corruption since taking over, all along…?
    For example, UDP pledged to exclude Barrow & others from their executive selection in the recent Congress as reported, claiming adherence to “IEC electoral regulations” amongst, but Ousainou Darboe, Dembo By-force Bojang & Amadou Sanneh, for example, were reportedly reelected whilst all of them works for the government currently without resigning or being excluded from the executive reselection …?
    The truth is, it’s factual that the current Coalition government was voted into office by the people on an MOU & Manifesto, none of which was upheld by the UDP camp, due to political partisan interest; what can one deduce from the current UDP manifesto being sold, for example, but Gambian will vote as they wish, won’t we…?
    Ideally, Adama Barrow should step down by end of Transition (3-years) as contained in the Coalition MOU; but if the MOU ISN’T being honoured at all, (in my little opinion) Adama Barrow is at liberty to seek a second & final term, IF he desires so; pending on who the Gambians unanimously vote for in the next upcoming elections cycle; UDP can present their candidates but their executive can’t betray the conscience of Gambians & continue to impose falsehood, under our observation without opining….
    Thank you…
    God bless Gambia…

  15. UDP got a “youth wing” & of recently “UDP student body” too was reported in the papers; just how different are these from a (the) Barrow youth movement…?

  16. @ Bax:
    I found it, thank you for the hint.I have read bits and pieces of it here and there. I will go on to download it and network permitting, save it on my device.
    @ Kemo (Kinteh)
    Let me be brutally honest with my friend here Kemo (Kinteh), if I may, regarding the program the UDP envisioned for our almighty important agricultural sector.
    Just like the NDP of the Adama and Ousainou regime, these declarations of intent for me is not worth the paper it’s written on.
    1) The language is just a set of words joint together that produces sounds but says nothing cohesive to anyone whose listening abilities are fine tuned to decipher relevance in the noise. In other words, the UDP knows what it wants to achieve in the agric sector, BUT, does not communicate how it wants to do that. The WHAT (agricultural development) is clear, and the HOW (the tactic and the technique) is completely missing.
    2) The ten point plan resembles many a project document in the vaults of the various ministries gathering dust. Anyone remembers Yaya Jammehs promise that Gambia will not import rice beginning 2016?`I have seen that document and it also lacks the clear cut HOW to achieve that.
    3) The tenth point, is one sentence long! Great!
    Am yet to be convinced that the UDP is a serious political party aiming to elevate our country and citizens to a level of development that will guarantee us freedom and wellbeing.
    Unfortunately, this is the kind of empty talk that many of our people get carried away with, sprinkled with measured doses of inflaming ethnic sentiments to garner votes. That’s but not the end of our predicaments. Nearly all the political parties save one, play the same pattern of politics, taking us a step back every single day.
    …………………………………………………………………………………………………
    I believe there should be quaterly political debates between leaders of the various political parties to expose such blatant and obviously intentional flaws in and between words and deeds.
    UDP with all its “stalwarts” cannot produce a document that will stand the most minimal scrutiny for the most important domain of the Gambian economy is a shame.
    Besides, spelling errors could be forgiven in many settings and instances but if you replace the word cereal bank with serial bank, just as an example, meaning could easily be misconstrued. We know this is a party with financial resources, stocking up in quality Human Resources will be advisable to avoid such glitches.
    I will go on reading the manifesto and hope my friend Kemo (Kinteh) stays around to defend the UDP and also critique and criticize what I will be putting out here.
    Yours in the service of The Gambia and Afrikka, I remain.

  17. It’s all well wanting to show his doubters that he wants to develop The Gambia, but does it need to be so lavish? By the way laying the Foundation stones is different from developing The Gambia; let’s hope that the project is finished on time and not over budget.
    It must have cost at least D1 million to lay the spread, not to think of the time wasted. I am sure some of the wasted money and time could be spent elsewhere. These are attitudes, in my view, that need changing.

  18. I don’t have the time to indulge in non-stop ping-pong debate. So I will limit myself to broad personal opinion informed by what I see and observe and thereby in no way imitating to be the official spokesperson of UDP or right-hand man of the party executive. Far from it. They don’t even know I exist.
    Mwalimu,
    I don’t have the resources to scrutinise every bit of the UDP’s manifesto and I don’t to either. The goals and objectives are one thing and implementation something else. We have UDP councillors and local gov’t chairperson/ Mayors. In foreseeable future we will be able to have a view about the direction of the UDP developmental agenda and as a forecast of what to expect from a UDP national gov’t. In both Banjul and KMc, the Mayors are doing well and above all leading exemplary lifestyles worthy of an elected leader.

    Bajaw, you didn’t need to add your surname for me to take you seriously. I accept, without any hesitation, our diversity in all its manifestations.

    As to all these movements, my standpoint is that it is not worthy of a sitting president to support, provide platform, and entertain a movement directly answerable and in direct competition with relevant legally instituted gov’t agencies for state as well as donor resources. Example are the ministry of youths and sports or the Gambia national youth association.

    As to BYM relationship with UDP. I fully support the executive’s decision to distance the party from the movement and I welcome Darboe clear declaration that UDP doesn’t recognise the movement as “part of the Party”. I think it is the right of every party choose who to associate with. NRP and pdois are not entertaining BYM as well. Why should the UDP be required to encourage and accommodate them, if as according to the president, they are there for everyone.
    Therefore, it was a tool to weaken UDP from within, testimony by the fact that the leading executives of BMY were picked from UDP.

    May I suggest: Let Barrow form a party or re-design BYM such that it has equal representation of all parties of the coalition in BYM executive board led by an independent non-party member.

  19. “…tool to weaken UDP from within, testimony by the fact that the leading executives of BMY were picked from UDP…”
    #Kinteh keh; I totally agree, absolutely, on divergence in opinions, which is healthier for societal advancements in communal diversity; (the ‘surname’ was added, not for you in particular, just to scarecrow the Sanyang kunda nkolu & the rest of the traditional cousins fraternity in this closed knitted community of ours…¿
    Answer to your above quote; the current “National Organising Secretary: Ablie Suku Singhateh” was supporting a different party different from UDP before, just like your above example, in response…
    It’s good & necessary for all, including UDP to condemn corruption but not selectively based on purposes, as in UDP’s case lately…?
    One can wonder, why can’t the trio (Darboe, Bojang & Sanneh) too resign from either the government OR their current executive roles as according to the UDP party manifesto &/ the IEC electoral requirements, as being advanced as reason of barring others…?
    That UDP way is rule bending for some; & not the same rule for all…?
    Signs indicate, some interesting times to come politically; currently, except for some cosmetics in wordings here & there, can’t see much difference in NDP from the current UDP manifesto; until then….

  20. Bajaw,
    Darboe and the National Assembly Members are exempted from the description “civil service or civil servants” by the prevailing constitution. See chapter XI section 166 of the constitution to acquaint yourself with the facts.
    Thus, they are political leaders and are duly allowed to function as party officials.
    There are lots of pundits throwing wild claims void of facts and figures everywhere. Especially the so-called sweeping executive powers should be held back. Barrow is only in concert with all branches of govt + the people powerful. Absence of consensus, he is rendered useless and lame.

  21. For sure you know and i know, that no one is under any kind of compulsion to engage in any form of debate, conversation or dialogue on this platform.
    In my mind, it’s all voluntary to be here. And I assure you, am not here to make anyone look bad or score points. Sincerity and goodwill is why am engaging with our Gambian political discourse, both in cyberspace and in my community.
    Having understood that you are not in a position to dissect the UDP manifesto piece by piece, I respect your decision not to take that route with me. AND thank you very much for this vital conversation, it was enriching for me.

  22. Kemo; Dembo by-force Bojang & Amadou Sanneh are in the recent UDP executive; Sanneh – Trade minister & Bojang is civil servant – Presidential adviser, just like some others mentioned for exclusion for executive reelection…?
    UDP claims (that) the Coalition MOU isn’t constitutional (when they knew from the onset) but agreed holistically to abide by the MOU & Manifesto at the time (in pretensions) when it suits them in the flag-bearing position despite them knowing it’s was unconstitutional without being honest in totality to state so at the time….?
    Mbaa-ding Kinteh, UDP can’t expect to tailor-made & deceive with the narrative anymore while the Gambia community continues to observe without dissections…
    True, all organs of government works effectively in coordination for nation building but UDP alone can’t take the State & Gambia community hostage to ransom on political manoeuvres; the Constitution clearly regulates the functions & limitations of political parties….

  23. Bajaw has made some very valid observations. I wish someone somewhere (Kemo (Kinteh?)) will Supply us with answers.
    The UDP and Ousainou in particular, are becoming very adept at twisting the narrative to suit whatever underhand plan they have going. The above scenario Bajaw alluded to, is gymnastics at an elite level. Gosh!

  24. I think Bajaw is unhappy or rather annoyed that some people close to Barrow were sidelined at the congress and no more selected for executive positions.

    It is not up to me to qualify or reject that outcome. Fact is it was democratically conducted as in all the past primaries and candidate selections including that of Barrow himself as UDP flag bearer.
    That is internal party mechanisms. The whole of Gambia must not agree with that process. They will ultimately cast the verdict at election.
    So barrow’s behavior, primarily corruption and inconsistency, gave the party reasons to proactively undertake measures before uncontrollable damage is unleashed.

  25. Kinteh; contrarily, I’m not unhappy about the UDP internal affairs; I was just drawing examples by highlighting some of the issues in their (UDP) contradictions & double standards, whilst the UDP executive continues to falsify the narrative…..
    UDP was holistically the party mainly responsible for the Barrow government corruption since at the inception; only to turn around recently to attempt to shift the blame because Ounsainou Darboe & co’s continuous manoeuvre to wriggle & usurp the mantle from Barrow the legitimate winner & others….?
    After some 2 years wasted since change of guards, on wrangles on personal greed of the politicians, when are we going to allow some bit of sanity to dedicate the attention, resources, time & energy to the innocent peasantry community affairs & societal progression for the real owners of the resources being selfishly scrambled over by the United Dirimoh party elements…?
    The current budget stalemate stagnant, for example, in the parliament being blamed on Barrow & the current Finance minister ‘was actually drawn by none other than UDP – Amadou Sanneh, current Trade minister at the time when he manned the Finance minister’…?
    UDP can’t continue to stranglehold the Gambia to ransom anymore based on falsehood; nobody, party &/ individual is bigger than the Gambia; whence as been acceptable in precedence that, some coalition partners have been fired before, any other members of the cabinet too are equally all fireable; since that’s the bone of contention behind the current noises being raised by the UDP camp in chorus to Barrow’s response to Ousainou & co’s continuous bullying, for selfish gains…?

  26. Rectification please – manned the Finance ministry’…?
    Thanks…

  27. The wrangling is part of politics and the noises are a legitimate reaction to what is evidently an inconsistent person or a changed person because of cronyism.
    But whatever the case, the president has failed to pursue a consistent policy and politics. Why fire the other coalition leaders? Presumably Darboe told him to do it- if you’d believe conspirator.
    I condemned both fatty and O.J dismissal as well as the appointment of Njie as finance minister- rehabilitation of Jammeh remnants.
    I saw in fatty and O.J sacking a threat to the stability of the govt.
    And now pundits who are pushing for Darboe’s sacking, do not also understand that UDP voters and elected officials will not see any national interest behind Barrow sacking Darboe. They will see and rightly so, a self entrenching Brutus and they will close ranks to push back on that. And they have the political clout and administrative instruments to go into political battle with Barrow until the people have the opportunity to bestow political responsibility again.
    It is not clear how barrow will handle such a scenario. Will he resort to bribery to buy NAMs on every single issue?
    Will he resort to Jammeh style brutality and kill another Solo? Will he unleash Senegalese soldiers on Gambian demonstrators? etc. these are the questions one should ask oneself before telling a rather unstable person to act unilaterally.
    It is my staunch believe that Darboe has equal stake in this govt as Barrow and hence must stay put until Barrow utilize his so-called executive powers and sack him. Resigning is wished by distractors but it is an easy route.

  28. I do understand the dynamics of politics but it’s played within the framework of political legitimacy; UDP can’t pretend to be saintly & stain Barrow & few, when they are ‘birds of feather’ evidently…?
    I for one, never blame anyone except for political manoeuvre, but those alleging Darboe’s hand in some firing of the other Coalition partners, including the former vice-president couldn’t (probably) afford not to have observed the unilateral move after Ounsainou Darboe was ‘pelted in hostility at Faraba’ shortly after the gunning of defenceless protesters; Ounsainou defended everything the government did & were engaged in…?
    UDP & Ounsainou Darboe got everything wished for, in the Coalition government EXCEPT for the presidency (which he cherished most of all); wasn’t it Ounsainou who stated, to (will) ‘oppose, fight & sue in court any & everyone, including Adama Barrow himself, whosoever happen to demand for Adama Barrow to step down at end of the agreed 3-years transition period & not to serve for the full 5-years constitutional term as mandatory’…?
    How come, now that Barrow is all of sudden becomes the only corrupt cancerous element, as the UDP narrative goes by…?
    The President was voted on ‘independent ticket’; whence acceptable (that) other coalition partners have been fireable before, with Ounsainou inheriting one of the posts, any other coalition cabinet members can’t & aren’t exceptional to same fate when necessary…
    UDP can’t expect to fool the Gambians, to sabotage the government or wriggle legitimate powers mandated to the elected president by taking us to any unnecessary premature elections purely because of sheer partisan greed without the consent of the population; any premature elections got to have constitutionally Warranty…

    • You are not answering my questions . What tools are available to barrow to manage the country if he alienates all major political poles in the country? He was a coalition president so it was a combination of combined political weight that get him elected.
      Now if he fire all these people, isn’t it normal that his govt collapses?
      If there is a political struggle, which is inevitable as i outlined above, what would he do about it ? Will he rehabilitate back fatty, Tambajang and O.J ? Or would he resort to oppression by using the ecomig soldiers in the country?
      I would be very pleased if you could give me a sense of what to expect in a scenario where Barrow uses his “mandated powers” and other elected officials use their constitutional conferee powers to legitimately oppose the president?

  29. Yes, the moral scenario, (to reflect the past, which got us where we are today) is for Barrow to have reinstall the Coalition partners fired before, back in the government; at least for the span of the agreed Transition period (3-years) but as already witnessed, there’s nothing “moral” in politics; this isn’t in Gambia alone but in all spheres; UDP can’t expect preferential (morality) treatment specifically different from others, as an equal partner in the Coalition, it got to be the same treatment for all parties; there’s no guarantee that UDP would’ve won all the parliamentary seats if the current incumbency wasn’t utilised in their favour politically during the parliamentary elections…?
    Since, UDP (Darboe) have clearly stated & initiated moves already, for Presidential Barrow to serve for the 5-years Constitutional term, they (UDP) can’t be genuinely trustworthy, in snaking back to support the general Coalition struggle & purpose in their habitual pretense on lipservices in deceit anymore…?
    The current Constitution (which is the current guide until the upcoming new expected review & referendum for new Constitution) propped an ‘Executive Presidency’ which was the chosen line of deliberation of the UDP lead Barrow government already; it’ll be difficult to pre-determine any outcome scenarios (of what president Barrow may &/ not do) in any examples we may have in mind until when (we are) physically faced with the situational reality on the ground; (e.g. if UDP happens to come out in the street what do one expect when other opinionated political groupings too decided to face & engage them physically?) – (in my opinion) President Barrow must stay in his mandatory powers in whatsoever situations, in Prudence, for obvious reasons…
    The UDP must also remember they aren’t bigger than the Gambia; the current government came about as combination of partnership efforts; they can continue to play politics in their ways civilly but they can’t hold the Gambia to ransom; any moves to change government MUST have to be on Genuine Gambian Communal & socioeconomic interests only, not on their selfish partisan greed perpetually; Gambians will stand up to any falsehood through any unconstitutional means…
    UDP should also remember, Gambians are observing their selfish behaviour all along since the change in government & will make informed choices as & when need be…
    Everybody can continue to play politics within the ‘Civil Constitutional limitations’ until the next election cycle…

  30. The coalition agreement was to get technocrats to man executive positions so that the coalition political leaders would have an oversight responsibility in guiding the reforms that were agreed upon for the duration of the transition period.
    The dishonesty and greedy character that Ousainou is, led to that part of the agreement not being honored. The scramble for ministerial positions was as if you would have hungry hyenas all fighting for a piece of the carcass and some blood to feast on.
    You will have to ask yourself HOW & WHY Henry, Amat, Mai, Ousainou, O. J, Isatou and Lamin came to man the ministries they one time or the other headed.
    The answer is: they rewarded themselves with those positions not based on competence, qualifications or experience . Many of them choose those portfolios based on their personal assumptions that desires.
    Chei Kambiya! Some really crazy stuff has happened and still continuous to happen.
    So if Adama decides to fire all the remaining political appointees, it should not be grounds for his government to collapse, because in the first place, they were not meant to be there.
    UDP twist and turns facts to fit a particular fallacy of “majority party”.
    When Mai and O. J were given the sack, all levels of Kemo’s political party supported Adama in not forwarding reasons for that action. Because then, Adama was playing to the UDP political doctrine. Now that Adama’s growing temerity is becoming threatening to an imagined Ousainou presidency, the UDP wants to turn on him. I have no iota of trust and respect for Adama, nevertheless, the UDP’s actions smirk of hypocrisy, inconsistency and opportunism.
    You have to remember what the mandate of Ecomig in The Gambia is. Adama cannot set them loose on the civilian population because of that mandate.
    The most likely scenario will be to use the GNA, the Paramilitary and or the police.
    The outcome of such an encounter will be hard to predict. There is no guarantee that there won’t be bloodshed.
    Should citizens mobilize to come our to demand Adama to step down, I will be in the middle of it shouting and chanting down these brainless good for nothing cowards wanna be important neocolonial marionettes.

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