By Demba Baldeh
The Committee for the Restoration of Democracy in the Gambia (CORDEG) held it’s first press conference Friday February 21st 2014. Two weeks ago CORDEG elected a new executive to fulfill a pledge to form a broad representative body to coordinate political activities of all Gambians that came out of a National conference that was held in Raleigh North Carolina in May 2013. After a lengthy and difficult process that left many Gambians wondering if another conference has dissipated into thin air, CORDEG emerged with a stronger and more credible leadership than expected.
The election of Dr. Abdoulie Saine a Political Science Professor at Miami University in Ohio and an academic scholar injected new “breath of fresh air” into the Diaspora struggle against Jammeh’s heavy handed rule and gross human rights violations in the Gambia. Dr. Saine who is not a stranger in the struggle has actively participated in almost every major political event in the Diaspora since the overthrow of the Jawara regime by few junior military juntas.
Without wasting much time Dr. Saine and his team convene Friday’s press conference with the Gambian online media to answer questions from Journalists and Gambian activists in the Diaspora. All the major online newspapers with online radios participated and the event was covered live. The conference without a doubt was a recognition of the role of the online media in the Diaspora struggle and CORDEG’s immediate efforts to seek partnership with this vital institution which has suffered the most in the hands of the Jammeh regime.
In answering questions from Journalists, Dr. Saine, his able Vice Chair Sigga Jagne and Secretary General Mr. Abdoulie Jobe took turns in addressing various questions. Dr. Saine made it abundantly clear that CORDEG was not a “government in waiting” or a political party. He said CORDEG is here to coordinate the political activities of all Gambian Diaspora Activists groups including those on the ground. He emphasized that CORDEG however will never again shy away from actively participating in the current and future political activities of the Gambia.
Mr. Jobe and Ms Jagne weighed in as well clarifying that CORDEG has a clear agenda and that all messages coming from any member of CORDEG should be treated as a thoroughly betted message from the group. They added that CORDEG has plans to reach out to all Gambian Diaspora civil society groups and individual Gambians to galvanize citizens to once again actively participate in the political process of the nation as was seen during the run up to 2006 elections which brought about NADD – a union of all Gambian opposition groups which fell short of its goals in finding a single flagbearer to contest elections against President Jammeh. Dr. Saine and his group assured Gambians that detailed policy and program documents are being worked on to clearly spell out CORDEG’S mission and vision in the next coming weeks. They pledged to engage in massive fundraising and consultations with political parties on the ground and international partners to bring about an end to President Jammeh’s gross Human Rights Violations and political oppression in the Gambia.
In responding to a question from Gainako’s associate editor on how CORDEG plans to engage Gambian scholars and intellectuals who are notably absent in the political struggle; Dr. Saine said this is going to be a top priority for him and his group. He said it was no longer acceptable for his colleagues to sit on the fence while Gambia becomes a laughing stock both domestic and International. He added that it was shameful for Gambian scholars and professionals from all parts of the world to hear people making mockery of the political situation in the Gambia. Dr. Saine said “It is a crime to forget Gambia” because the nation’s citizens owe so much obligation to their country for their own upbringing and success. He concluded that Gambian scholars will not have any option but to stand up and contribute towards crafting policies and programs, including monetary contribution towards the restoration of political sanity and economic opportunities in Gambia.
In concluding the press conference Dr. Saine and his team again assured Gambians that his team has a robust vision and programs to address head on many of Jammeh’s atrocities and corruption that have been going on in Gambia for the last two decades. He suggested that his legal team will look into human rights violations and disappearance of citizens and if necessary they will take legal action against the government of the Gambia. He urge all Gambians to actively participate in the political discourse of our nation adding it is the moral duty of every citizen to stand up and fight for what is right in our country. Failure to do so Dr. Saine added “we will all answer questions from our children and grandchildren for failing to take our responsibilities seriously as citizens. CORDEG plans to conduct more press conferences and be more accessible to citizens for questions and concerns.