As was announced last Tuesday, Gambian opposition parties are to reconvene Friday October 14th, 4PM Gambian time at the Kairaba Beach Hotel to discuss about terms and agreements to a process that is expected to lead to a selection process for a single candidate to contest against Yahya Jammeh in the December elections. Contrary to what has been reported on other papers the opposition are not meeting to select a flagbearer but to agree and sign off to a process that will lead to an acceptable selection criteria.
A source close to the leadership putting together the terms of agreement said there has been mix messages sent out to various camps which created more confusion. “This may be as a result of different people having different understanding of what was agreed upon”. The source went further to indicate that in fact specific points of agreement were circulated to various parties through their representatives and it was tentatively agreed upon. So Tuesday’s meeting was designed to review the agreement and have all parties sign off to the final agreement. According to the source, this was why the press were invited and it was an open process that the whole world witness a historic signing agreement.
Although the meeting did not go as expected, parties were in agreement to give everybody a chance to adequately consult with their leadership so as to understand and agree or disagree to what was being discussed. An independent advocate for strong opposition unity said the process of uniting individual opposition parties who have different programs and policies is never an easy process. “These parties although unsuccessful in unseating the incumbent, have invested a lot of resources and time into their individual parties” Political parties he/she noted are not formed to come together, they are created to sell their own ideas and programs to the electorates. This is a difficult process but the person is optimistic that given all the circumstances Gambians are faced with this December he/she is optimistic that a form of unity will prevail either through some kind of primary/selection process or an open convention were all will witness what process and who will eventually be selected.
Many politically conscious Gambians recognized the challenge these opposition parties are facing. They have a difficult process to go through and are not only facing the pressure of doing the right thing for the country, but they also have to deal with their surrogates especially those in the Diaspora who are often louder and more impatience. Some of the opposition parties heavily rely on their Diaspora surrogates for support and outside advocacy. The Diaspora surrogates often compare Gambia’s political situation to the West or other African countries who have never been under dictatorship. “Gambia’s situation is very different because you have a government that is highly intolerant and not willing to share the political space or give any concession to the opposition” said a senior radio commentator.
Gambians are expecting the opposition to come to reality that for almost two decades they have not made significant electoral success against Yahya Jammeh. They have tried all forms of alliances except a complete opposition unity and have not been able to make any electoral inroads into Yahya Jammeh’s support. However, given this year’s political conditions; the killing of Solo Sandeng and Solo Krumah, the Jailing of UDP executive and Jammeh’s potential introduction of Shariah law in the Gambia, the election has taken a new heightened urgency. Hundreds of thousands of Gambians have come out to support various political parties and the independent candidate. If the crowds are to go by, then Gambians appear ready to vote against the incumbent dictator who has victimized almost every sector of society. This has also given signal to the opposition that with a strong coalition, their chances of finally defeating Yahya Jammeh appears likely. As we go to press; Gambians are sitting on edge, some with sleepless nights expecting to hear great news from the opposition meeting on Friday. History would be made if the opposition agree to a process but hopes will be dashed if they cannot come to a unified agreement to salvage the country. What is at stake is the future of the Gambia and its people. Political parties can come and go but Gambia will always remain.