FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
4 March 2008
column
We have been focusing on politics in this column. We have embarked on the narration of significant political events from pre-colonial to post Independence era. We are now in the 1990s. Let us continue from where we stopped.
At this particular time two issues concerned the populace. One was the huge political debate in the country on the PPP/NCP discussions. The other was the continuous price hikes experienced by the ordinary people.
The Gambia Bakers' Association met by 17th August 1990 and increased the price of bread from D1.75 to D2.25 per loaf. This was a time when Government was trying to convince the people that the Economic Recovery Programme has worked and that the new programme the P.S.D had begun. If the bakers were allowed to increase the price of a stable diet like bread, would that not defeat the debate that had heated up in parliament and outside it? This was why the Hon. Minister of Economic Planning and Industrial Development, informed listeners through the radio Gambia on Thursday, 9th August, 1990 that the Gambia Bakers' Association had been ordered to dissolve itself because it increased the price of bread. The minister based his reason for the dissolution on the price increase which he opined was high and that consumers had complained.
According to the Nation, Sabally concerned himself with the price increase because as he argued price increase would encourage CARTEL instead of competition. The Nation said the question that however persisted was, (1) could the minister really order the dissolution of any enterprise, group, or organisation without the due process of the law? (2) whether the procedure to stop the price increase was proper? And (3) can it be said that the Bakers' Association has infringed the law there was no price control control?
The Nation opined that it was the removal of price controls that led the business or service providers to be able to increase prices of essential commodities.
PPP/NCP TALKS
The second issue that continued to however exercise the minds of the populace were the secret meetings between Sir Dawda and Mr. Sheriff Mustapha Dibba in 1989, and this had been a subject of public interest for a very long time. Many people thought that the talks had since died down, but they were surprised to learn that they did not.
Many people could not believe the rumour which was being propagated that a PPP Yai Compin had persuaded the NCP leader to meet President Jawara again so that he could rejoin the PPP. The rumour was so intense that no media house could ignore it.
Foroyaa sent a reporter to Mr. Sheriff M. Dibba to find out whether the meeting had in fact taken place. Mr. Dibba confirmed that the meeting indeed took place at State House, on Wednesday, 29th August, 1990 at 10:30am. He was also asked as to who initiated the meeting, Mr. Dibba confirmed that Ajaratou Fatou Sallah, a prominent PPP woman organizer, initiated the meeting. He said Aja Fatou Sallah told him that even though she has not gone through formal schooling, it was her view that political differences between the NCP and the PPP should be set aside so as to work together for the good of the country. He said, Mrs. Sallah approached Mr. Jawara to tell him the same thing. He added that being a political, he was willing to talk to any body who was interested in talking to him; that the consultation continued until agreement was reached for a meeting to take place. Mr. Dibba also claimed that it was the secretary general of the PPP who proposed for each side to send four people to represent them.
Foroyaa asked Mr. Dibba the issue on which the discussion was centered; Mr. Dibba said it was centred on two issues i.e. the establishment of a coalition government or an alliance. He however categorically denied any talk of a merger.
Mr. Dibba disclosed that the NCP sent Mr. Gibou Jagne, Mr. Solo Darboe, Mr. Kemeseng Jawara and himself while the PPP sent Mr. Kelepha Samba, Mr. Yaya Ceesay, Mr. Kiti Jabang and President Jawara himself.
Since Foroyaa had the intention to put to rest the rumour, it asked Mr. Dibba the out come of the discussion Mr. Dibba said the talks were to continue; that they did not arrive at a conclusion. He also argued that it was not clear from the talks at the time whether what was ideal was to establish a coalition government or an alliance.
Foroyaa which was observing the scene told Mr. Dibba of the broadcast of radio Gambia, the text of which went like this. "The President Alhagi Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, this morning, had a meeting with the leader of the National Convention Party (NCP), Mr. Sheriff Dibba, at State House. "Sir Dawda later told the press that the meeting which lasted about ninety minutes was held at the request of Mr. Dibba. Sir Dawda said the discussion was very cordial and the NCP group proposed a way for the two parties to work together. Three options were considered; i.e. (1) a coalition, 2) an alliance or 3) the NCP members joining the PPP.
Sir Dawda according to the release said the discussion did not come to any conclusion and they decided to put the matter to their respective parties. "Sir Dawda said that he did point out at the meeting that under the present circumstances, the ruling party has an over whelming majority in parliament; that there is no need for a coalition. He said he also emphasized that the PPP was still committed to its avowed principles of a multi party system which he said is most desirable for the country and is a system that has been vindicated worldwide".
Foroyaa analyzed that if the broadcast was anything to go by, Mr. Jawara has rejected the possibility of a coalition or alliance with the NCP. This was why Foroyaa asked Mr. Dibba to shed light on the broadcast. Mr. Dibba said what the president said was his personal opinion; that each person is entitled to his personal opinion; that for his part, the talks were continuing; that it was not wise to rule out anything. On the date for the next meeting, the NCP leader said no date was yet set.
THE OBSERVATIONS
Observers of the scene regarding meetings between Mr. Dibba and Jawara had been a subject of discussion for sometime now. Some said Mr. Dibba was trying to betray the NCP. Other NCP members said Mr. Jawara was about to appoint Mr. Dibba as Vice President, while others maintained that he was going to appoint him as minister of finance. Observation has shown that close associates of Mr. Dibba were the ones spreading the rumour that Mr. Jawara has greater trust in Mr. Dibba than the members of his cabinet; that he has realized that he could not run the country without Mr. Dibba.Others said Jawara was just exchanging the two personalities, that it was now the turn of Mr. Dibba now that Mr. Saho has been removed,etc.
The debate intensified when Jawara informed the press of their Banjul meeting. The people refused to stop asking questions. Foroyaa quoted section 59 sub-section (5) of the constitution which did not permit anybody who has stood for elections and did not win to be appointed as an M.P without which one could not be appointed as a minister. It also quoted section 45, section (1) which stated that a vice president must be appointed from among the elected members of the House of Representatives, and asserted that there was no possibility of Mr. Dibba being made a minister or a vice president unless there was a by-election from which he emerges as a winner.
Interestingly enough, while President Jawara during meetings in London and else where continued to maintain that a coalition was not necessary; that Mr. Dibba should just write and join the PPP, observers wondered why Mr. Dibba continued to agree to discuss about a working relation with the PPP,that was driving a wedge between him and his supporters. It was also the opinion of some people that Jawara has been very skillful in utilizing these meetings to build up his own political standing by exposing the event to the public.
Foroyaa analyzed that Alliance is formed by political parties which have strongholds in different areas. In that way, their combined strength would give them an advantage over their opponent. If an alliance is forged to contest elections, each party in the alliance thereby puts up candidates where it has popular support. All the other members of other parties would support the candidate of the alliance.
Foroyaa cajoled that one does not have to be a political scientist to be able to understand that the PPP, which has been a ruling party for 25 years since Gambia supposedly attained nation-hood, would not withdraw from certain constituencies in favour of a candidate put up by an alliance. Hence Foroyaa maintained that what would be realistic to the PPP was to absorb the NCP into its ranks.
Foroyaa warned the NCP leadership to realize that a political party without prestige cannot expect to win the support of the masses. These meetings which were designed to develop a working relationship with the PPP at a time when it demonstrated its incapacity to manage the affairs of the country is evident to all, would only erode any confidence the NCP may have enlisted from its supporters.
Foroyaa finally assert that never has a party done so much to discredit itself at that moment, when everything was at it worst stage. Mr. Dibba, Foroyaa wrote, has a lot of explaining to do to reassert the integrity of his party as a viable alternative to the PPP. The paper said anyone who does not tell Mr. Dibba that, is guilty of dishonesty.
See next edition of Focus as we move into the late 1990s.
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