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SALLAH UNVEILS STRATEGIES OF A NADD GOV'T
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SALLAH UNVEILS STRATEGIES OF A NADD GOV'T
By Yero Jallow "Gainako"
SALLAH UNVEILS STRATEGIES OF A NADD GOV'T
NADD's
flag bearer and hopeful presidential elect come September 2006, Bard
Halifa Sallah was a guest speaker via telephone conference to Minnesota
local pro-democracy group, STGDP, on Sunday August 13th 2006, during a
fundraising event.
"Our people are campaigning in the whole country. We are
distributing cassettes telling the people our program of action. NADD
has already been accepted by the people. This is the battle of
democracy for Gambians in the 21st century.", Sallah echoed in his
opening remarks.
In a fresh miraculous chapter, Sallah told the crowd that
a NADD Government will look at all areas, ranging from education,
technology, sanitation, the crumbling economy, employment, electricity,
agriculture, medical facilities, democracy and human rights.
"That Government is not there to rule, but there to serve. It
will not only be Government institutions, but oversight institutions.
That Government will turn civil servants into servants of the people,
where people can complain and be listened to. We will make sure the
army and the police are protectors of the people, and public service
will be delivered.", said Sallah while unveiling how a NADD
government will set different commissions like "commissions of
children", "commissions of youths", "commissions of human rights", etc…
in which these commissions will serve as oversight institutions to
check complains, and to make sure all are properly investigated, and
registered with the higher authority for action to be taken.
When supporters thanked Sallah and his gallant NADD team
for a consistent struggle so far, he responded with the following: "You
will not die for others, if you don't care for them. A person who lives
and dies for the people will always be in their hearts. Live for others
and be appreciated by them."
In a similar vein, when quizzed persistently by the author of
this piece about possible unity among the divided oppositions, Sallah noted the following: "We cannot close the door, because the door
belongs to the people. We are still willing to negotiate in good faith.
On our correspondence, we indicated by Saturday, and now we shifted it
to Monday, and the reality is they need to compromise. They haven't
responded yet. How can we have a predictable Government? That's why
rules and laws are established. Setting rules and abiding by them will
create trust. It clearly shows they are not interested in unity based
on equality, and there is no power limit of a flag bearer."
In ending his speech, Sallah happily read the last
chapter of the NADD agreement, which is as follows: "We do not seek
change for the sake of change. We do not seek power for its sake.
Personality for personal interest is not our interest. The issue of
interest for NADD is the Gambia, and her people. What is paramount is
the national interest. Our duty is to change a system of governance,
that is increasingly centralizing the power in the hands of the
executive, and replace it with a system that will not allow patronage,
sectionalism, tribalism, or self perpetuating rule. For example, the
authority of the people cannot bar them from changing their manner of
Government, whenever they deem it prudent to do so. NADD stands for the
future that will place your country right into your sovereign hands.
NADD aims to utilize public power, derived from your authority to
safeguard the peoples' liberty, dignity, and prosperity. After forty
one years of Independence, the Gambia and her people deserve nothing
else."
One of the active members of the pro democracy organization
wished NADD and Sallah well in the coming elections. In her short
part, she funnily told Halifa to watch out for a tent in his back yard,
and that would be none other than her. A long time activist for the
pro-democracy organization, STGDP, also likened Bard Sallah to an eye
surgical doctor, who already knows and has all the equipments to heal
the patients requiring their eyes to be healed, comparing it to a nurse
who only know little details.
The fundraising event was described successful, and hailed by Sallah, who openly said NADD recognizes the efforts of all
Diasporas, more so the Minnesota Local chapter that is constant in
their activities. Other attendees Cherno Bah, Christine Sakuna, Haddy
Saho, Saul Njie, and other pro democracy activists in the area all
graced the occasion, and ended the gathering with a moment of silence
for NADD, for a peaceful and easy victory in the coming elections.
In a similar development, Sources close to Christine Sakuna
and Cherno Bah indicated that all the funds derived from the
fundraising have been wired to NADD.
Gainako's comments: At
Gainako, we believe in consistency. Consistency is also victory, as
long as it is geared in the direction of national interest. The Gambia
is bigger than our individual interest. We wish all Gambians well in
the coming elections. We challenge all peace living people to support
only that which will bring about peaceful co-existence.
Thanks to all editors and space providers. Without you, we
cannot communicate to the world, and we humbly call on you all to give
us space in our efforts to be Independent.
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Posted on Sunday, August 20, 2006 (Archive on Sunday, August 27, 2006)
Posted by PNMBAI Contributed by PNMBAI
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