The Raleigh Conference attended by Gambians from every corner of the world has successfully concluded with a new binding resolution expressing grave concerns on the political and human rights situation in the Gambia. The delegation which for the first time saw prominent former members of the ruling PPP, current opposition leaders, civil society leaders, the media and many young Gambian activists went through a long two day conference to discuss and pave a new way forward in finding a lasting solution to the political oppression in the Gambia. The conference which began with heated discussions and challenges as expected in any political gathering, turned out the best out of all the attendees to successfully adopt a binding resolution as a first step to restore Gambia back on sound political footing.. the delegation unanimously adopted a resolution with clear and precise goals for a way forward in restoring good governance; rule of law and respect for human rights… Below is the full Resolution as adopted and signed by leaders of various constituents:
Preamble
Concerned about the deteriorating political, economic, social and human rights conditions in The Gambia which resulted from the unfortunate event of the AFPRC/APRC coup on July 22, 1994
Recognizing that the national political leadership (the opposition) has not relented in its efforts to restore sanity to Gambian politics;
Aware that the failure of these efforts to achieve the desired goal of restoring true democracy is largely attributable to the unorthodox and criminal strategies employed by the Jammeh dictatorship;
Realizing that the fragmentation of the efforts of the opposition significantly undermined their impact;
Cognizant of the urgent need to put in place a centralized coordinating mechanism that would, inter-alia, coordinate the activities and efforts of the various opposition groups and camps, and in effect, serve as the face of the struggle to restore democracy, the rule of law and good governance to The Gambia;
The proposed structure will not seek to usurp the roles/rights of the individual parties and groups, but will strive to coordinate their efforts and strategies with a view to achieving the desired results.
That GDAG, STGDP, DUGA convened a conference in Raleigh North Carolina from the 17th to the 19th May 2013 to bring together the key players in the field (heads of political parties, politicians, civil society, and the media to dialogue and consult on the way forward.
The delegates assembled in Raleigh, NC have agreed to the following:
To form a Steering Committee (SC) to pursue an agenda for democratic change in The Gambia.
That the SC shall be responsible for the effective crafting and representation of the Agenda for change.
That the SC will identify and work with groups, organizations and institutions that are engaged in the struggle to promote good governance, democracy and the rule of law.
That the SC will serve as a link between the opposition movement in the Diaspora, political parties and civil society organizations and the media on the ground to promote the agenda for change.
The SC shall initiate contact with regional, sub-regional and international bodies and organizations with a view to enlist their support towards finding peaceful and democratic solutions to the Gambian political situation.
The SC shall mobilize the required funding and other logistics for the struggle and the agenda for change.
The SC shall encourage and support the reform agenda outlined by the G6.
The conference directs the conveners of the Raleigh gathering, STGDP, GDAG and DUGA-DC to act as committee pro-temp with the responsibility to put in place the permanent Steering Committee comprising representatives from Africa, North America, and Europe within 4 weeks.
Done in Raleigh, North Carolina, on this 19th Day of May 2013
Signed by
Omar A Jallow
A.N.M.Ousainou Darboe
Hamat NK Bah
Adelaide Sosseh
Dr Sedat Jobe
Maila Touray
Dr Abdoulaye Saine
Dr Amadou S Janneh
Fatou Jaw Manneh
Bakary Bunja Darboe
Miss Sigga Jagne
Gambia Democratic Action Group
Save the Gambia Democracy Project
Democratic Union of Gambian Activist