It is been widely reported on various online newspapers and social media outlets that opposition parties (bar the GDC) including an independent candidate, have finally agreed to an option on forming a coalition to take on the ruling APRC party for the upcoming December Presidential elections. The much anticipated negotiations concluded on Friday 14th October 2016 at the Kairaba Beach hotel. With agreement reached, the focus now shift on finding that almost-elusive unified opposition candidate amongst aspiring candidates to be the coalition flag-bearer for the December 1st polls.
In a statement issued to the press, the party leaders outlined that, they were “putting aside their differences in favour of the supreme national interest.” This agreement followed a week in which spirits were dampened as the talks once again became inconclusive. The latest setbacks were as as a result of UDP’s appeal for more time to consult with their executives prompting an unwelcome rescheduling of events. To say the negotiations were complex is indeed an understatement but the fact that some sort of consensus was finally met must be a welcome relief to all concerned.
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| Gambian Opposition Leaders & Activist. Source: Foroyaa |
Although it is not the outcome most of us would have wanted, we still have to be contented with the result and commend the opposition leaders and civil society activist for their laudable efforts. We appreciate that such negotiations are always complex as participants tend to have different opinions about the modalities of how such unions should be formed. A party-led coalition, conventions and primaries were among the sort of formulas argued for. But what ever approach is taken, the ultimate goal remains the same.
Surprisingly, the difference in opinions at this round of talks pretty much resembles what happened during the formative years of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD) some 10 years ago. Back then, the United Democratic Party (UDP), very popular at the time were accused of hampering efforts to form an opposition coalition for the 2006 Presidential elections as they thought they were capable of defeating the APRC on their own. Similarly, all fingers of blame are now pointing at the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) for being the only party who refused to sign the current agreement.
Like most UDP supporters back in 2006, the GDC surrogates are all pumped up with this wishful thinking that their party can unseat the incumbent on its own. I even once heard the party secretary in an interview with the Freedom Radio claiming that they can pull up 70% of the votes in this forthcoming elections, dream on I say! That is a very irresponsible thing to say even for a party militant let alone a party executive.
However, they have since come up with a strong worded statement to rebuff all accusations and put forward their stance and argument during the meeting for the general public to see. Fair enough on their side but needless in my opinion! All we need is one single opposition candidate regardless of different points of view.
I must however reiterate that; it is against all odds for any single party to be able to unseat the incumbent on their own in this upcoming elections. So my appeal to the GDC is therefore to try and join the bandwagon for the sake of national interest. My understanding is, whoever emerge victorious in this conventions or primaries will just be a transitional leader. So even if the GDC candidate is not elected to bear the coalition flag this time around, there is surely plenty more time to come for the party. Please do not allow false hopes get in the way of your future aspirations. Please do not let yourself fall on the wrong side of history.
To conclude, the same appeal is also extended to all the signatories to the agreement. Please try and continue the dialogue with the GDC. Time is running out I know but it is never too late since the nominations are yet to take place. I am almost certain that, if more than one candidate is pitched against the APRC come December, it will simply be a case of history repeating itself all over again. Consequently then, the dream for a third republic in The Gambia will be laid to rest for the next five years at least. I genuinely hope that am proven wrong!
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