As we approach December 2016 presidential election, Gambians have seen the formation of a new political party known as The Gambia Democratic Congress ( GDC) which takes center stage in our political dispensation. The newly established party has a young likeable leader whose philosophy, stand on issues of national importance, democracy and rule of law is not known to vast majority of citizenry who are yearning for restoration of democracy and constitutionalism in our country. While it is a welcoming idea to have a new and young likeable political leader and his party in the fight to restore democracy and rule of law in our country, we as citizens deserve to know what Mama Kandeh really stood for in the past 22 years and what was his contributions towards military dictatorship which has notoriously violated fundamental human rights of Gambian people, systematically destroyed our peaceful coexistence as one big family as well as economically prostituted our meager resources for self perpetual rule of the tyrant ? These are fundamental and legitimate questions which every Gambian must ask himself or herself in order to avoid the replica of false narrative which Gambian population were hook-winked in the similar manner by the then Lt. Yahya Jammeh and his semi-illiterate soldiers who had no serious plan for national development and democracy for our country when they took power in July 22 1994.
I have made extensive research on the GDC leader, his stance on issues of national importance as well as his political achievements in terms of his support for any meaningful legislation during the time he served Jammeh’s regime as a National Assembly member for APRC ( Alliance Patriotic Re-orientation and Construction) . I have not seen a single issue of national importance which Mama Kandeh stood for and supported which today has contributed to economic development or better democratic dispensation of our country. Instead I came across the record of a man who has consistently voted along with all the APRC deputies on bills during his tenure.
I have a reason to dig deeper into the legislative life of Mama Kandeh. I believe it is a sacred duty or responsibility of every citizen to thoroughly vet Mr Kandeh to avoid a repetition of the current political dispensation we are desperately working hard to replace. Mr Kandeh is an extension of current political dispensation by every measure and standard. This is evidenced by his lack of concerns for horrendous human violations in The Gambia for the past 22 years . Mr Kandeh’s Political opportunism and prostitution is further evidenced by his inconsistency and ability to join any political party to look for cheap popularity without any substantive contribution toward democracy and socio-economic advancement of the Gambian people. Before Mr Kandeh joined APRC, he was a member of the Opposition National Reconciliation party ( NRP) where he sought relationship with the leadership for cheap popularity and political recognition. He later joined the APRC as a National Assembly member until his expulsion for violation of Dictator Jammeh’s edit.
Mr kandeh’s rise in politics happened at the time when innocent citizens were tortured , raped , exiled and murdered and he has been silent on these atrocities all these years. In terms of his voting record in the National Assembly, Mr Kandeh has shown and proven to Gambian people that he would be no different from the leaders of current rubber-stamping Parliament which has denied Gambians better democracy, rule of law and economic advancement. His formation of a new political party which comprises of former supporters and officials of APRC, is an affront and further confirmation that Mr Kandeh is in politics as an alternative to disgruntled supporters who were once key players in the constitutional entrenchment of the dictatorial regime. Among his key supporters and surrogates are former regime officials who sees mr kandeh’s candidacy as a blessing to protect and prevent any future accountability of their roles in human Rights violations they have witnessed or participated . Among such high profile supporter is the former military officer and Aide de camp to President Jammeh , Lt col Lamin Gano who has become key propagandist for the regime and GDC. Mr Gano’s propaganda for regime officials is even manifested in his daily outrageous and political hypocrisy. His recent congratulatory message to mr Ousman Sonko who escaped from oppressive Regime to Sweden and who is regarded as the most brutal henchman of the regime is a clear indication that mr Gano careless about the fundamental human rights and rule of law in our country . In essence ,mr Kandeh and some of his former enablers played a part in the regime’s human rights violations and economic destruction. While it is indeed noteworthy to see him calling for national unity and democracy in his political bolster but it is also significant to note that Mr Kandeh lacks substance in his political deliberations . His political record does not match with his recent rhetoric on the campaign trail. Mr kandeh’s refusal to agree in principle with other political leaders to sign recent coalition building document is another indication that he cannot be trusted and he is in politics to safeguard and protect the interest of the Dictator who he has been supporting since day one .
The historic tragedy of military dictatorship must teach Gambians that we should not fall for young and untested politicians who have no proven record , experience, and qualifications to run the affairs of our country. This will help the country from slipping into a replica of the APRC regime. We must focus on leaders and their parties with wisdom , knowledge, experience and better policies which have been consistent in the fight for rule of law , constitutionalism and better economic policy for our country . We have passed the time for experimental leadership in this defining moment of our country’s political dispensation. As citizens, we must look for steady , consistent, honest, decent and proven leader who is temperamentally fit to lead the nation in peaceful and unifying manner , and who sees our diversity as a gift of God’s creation that encompasses potentials ready to be tapped for entrepreneurism and economic advancement.
I therefore urge Gambians to take a hard look at the leadership of Gambia Democratic Congress ( GDC) before we make similar horrific mistake that APRC regime under the leadership of Dictator Yahya Jammeh has brought on Gambian people. We deserve better . Untested and unproven leader will lead the nation into a failure.
Please publish
Thank you .
Maxs
The opposition parties must not allow personalities to eclipse the Coalition efforts with non-issues
It’s quite evident in the run-up to final coalition convention, some passionate strategists whom given waivers to talk on behalf of their parties, need to provide Gambians with a steady diet of a thoughtful—consistent reassuring messages on the very important issues and avoid confusing Gambians with hypothetical opinions—that are ostensibly giving everyone a pause. We understand there are advisers quite skilled at getting in front of a story and trying to minimize damage of loose cannons —that lacks a deep understanding of discipline on the campaign trail. As such, we understand that— it impossible to deal with or wall off every conceivable human impulse. This is not the time for partisans to reflexively flood our online radio airwaves— waging asymmetrical war of words, regurgitating old talking points of the regime and casting blame against GOFFER efforts. This is the time for extensive private negotiations for a chance to unite the nation.
This certainly isn’t the time for party leaders to enmeshed cheap political popularity by roasting their colleagues beyond a bare bone — just by mere suspicion or pursue political agendas of exiting the “Coalition Talks” rather than attempting to compromise for a chance to unite the nation. As is readily apparent, each campaign more than ever, needs to pay plenty of attention to surrogates making easily refutable false claims, theatrics statements, promptly releasing or leaking incomplete policy statements and worst of all— making remarkably rosy scenario don’t look credible. Some are very passionate people but their diminishing returns of political capital from their efforts, only contributes to the coalition effort being flatfooted. Those who are deemed less productive or incapable of taking advice from campaign pros or lack the experience skill set to engage the media, should be given different assignments to avoid any direct consequences for failure. Some loyalist had made a series of blunders of keeping alive Yaya Jammeh’s a 22-year-old false stories about our patriot opposition party leaders, that are surely driving their parties to distraction.
It’s tempting for party officials to make lewd remarks about others party officials and complained loudly about the requirements of the coalition on social media. It makes sense to harsh out modalities and disagreements at Kairaba beach hotel instead of the airways. We have heard— top level officials, either misspoke or unknowingly besmirched about other party’s being included in the coalition effort because— they do not have a presidential candidate. This coalition effort is an interesting test case to demonstrate a compassionate leadership. At this point, Gambians want all parties curb the excesses and encourage party leaders to swallowed their pride and endorsed the coalition. Our nation yearns for some semblance of solidarity from all the aspiring candidates to unite under one ticket and recognized the gravity we have on hand. Sensing an opportunity, we know the regime is very good at courting personalities who has a grudge against the opposition. We should be on the lookout because they are eager for a split ticket that would confuse Gambians.
In this election, we are going against the same disastrous Yaya Jammeh— who is flagrantly in opposition to all our values. None of this blu-haha should be a surprise. We cannot provide a perfect backdrop to play into the hands of the opportunistic regime— that seek to sow fear and division as a way to disrupt the coalition efforts. Any political leader who refuses to acknowledge that fact a team effort is need to defeat this monstrous regime and instead waging asymmetrical war on the coalition efforts, ought to be ashamed. The bottom line: I whole-heartily appeal to GDC surrogates to adopt the message of Adoulie Sowe—in promoting inclusiveness of his party in the coalition effort and his appeal to lay aside our petty political bickering— overreact with unrealistic demands at every turn.
Let squabbles over divisive issues on hold for the moment as we all strive to see the coalition succeed. On that last count, so far we are encouraged by those who didn’t see eye to eye on policies very much in the past, demonstrate matured leadership to serve the interest of the Gambian people. There is finally a real plan to salvage our country this year instead of the ruling party’s endless vision to strengthened dictatorship. All parties coming together to undo the Gambian people feelings of nervousness— for a chance to square our shoulders again— weighed down by bitter disappointments of the regime, sorrows injustice, marginalization of the diasporians and undo the regime’s intentional neglection of their duties. GOFFER is saying Yes they can deliver for a change we can believe it. Bravo to Aunty Fatoumatta, Uncle Halipha and all those key players not mentioned here, working tirelessly to deliver a coalition.
By Habib ( A Concerned Gambian)