The former APRC parliamentarian Mamma Kandeh said he cannot promise the Gambian people that he can settle all the problems confronting the Gambia under a ten year presidential term if he becomes the president of the country under his new Independent Electoral Commission approved political party, Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC).
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Mamma Kandeh who originates from Sare Jerome, in the Jimara district, Upper River Region of the country was speaking at the party’s first press conference organized since his party got approved by The IEC. He was the national assembly member for his constituency for at least two terms after being repeatedly elected under the ticket of the ruling Alliance for Patriotic Re-orientation and Construction (APRC).
Mr. Kandeh, said GDC is a social democratic party consisting of a community of Gambians from all walks of life who have drawn the lessons of the past 51 years of independence. He said the GDP believes in the egalitarian treatment of all persons irrespective of their social, cultural, educational, political, religious and economic differences or origins within the context of a multi-party environment.
“The GDC believes in a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Our manifesto spells out the issues we wish to address when we are elected into office but we do not want the Gambian people to believe that we as a political party can singlehandedly solve all the problems of the country within a short period of ten years. That would be unrealistic because with a government of the people, by the people and for the people solving current problems cannot happen overnight,” Kandeh said.
“The duration of my term in office depends on Gambians, it is not for me to decide on that. If Gambians decide that I stay for two years I will, if they decide five years I will do too, it is not for me as an individual to decide that but we will for sure introduce term limits. In fact I have been seeking for the country to have term limits since 2005.
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Revealing his plans if voted into office, Kandeh said he will improve the country’s dilapidated economy, human rights, education, pension schemes, gender issues, foreign relationship particularly with neighboring Senegal amongst others.
Addressing on key issue of a coalition, he said “we are ready to work with every Gambian for the betterment of this country.”
Concerning the electoral reform he said he is not aware of any recommendation made by the opposition to the IEC because then the GDC was not in existence. He said he was not invited to the meeting when the recommendations were being made.
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“What I know is that there should be a level playing field for all political parties but I don’t know exactly what those recommendations are. I am putting up this party for the Gambians and not that I am angry with the current administration, he said.
Commenting on the current political crisis which involved the senior members of the UDP, Kandeh said on behalf of the GDC he totally condemned any form of torture and inhumane treatment visited on innocent Gambians.
“If The Government claims that The UDP has violated the Constitution, it should be settled in court, nothing more nothing less”. Kandeh concluded.
