Nurturing Democratic Life

As we all know, events such as this are not easy to manage or complete successfully. I will share with you some of the considerations of the budget and suggest where Diaspora Gambians or friends of Gambia who are interested in the life of Gambia can assist.

From what we have been informed by the UDP, (we have not received any solicitation or budget from NADD or GMC yet), the total budget for their congress comes to approx. $25,000.00

It is envisaged to cover:

1. Transportation costs for delegates from each administrative area and constituency to Jarra Soma
2. Transportation for the advance party logistical team and some staff from the National Party Headquarters in Banjul

3. Lodging for the delegates, officers, and staff. Some lodging cost will be offset by friends and Jarrans taking some guests in

4. Hired Cooks, ingredients, plates and other ware, and audiovisuals.

5. Congress day Proper venue and attendant facilities.

There will be local contributions anticipated to the tune of 50% of the cost which is $12,500.00

The UDP seeks the generous support of Diasporan Gambians and friends of Gambia in meeting the other half of $12,500.00

This amount is enormous given Gambia's conditions and the duress under which our opposition parties have been operating. It does not appear to be overwhelming however for a group of 1000 to 2000 Diasporans and friends of Gambia, and this is where our value comes in as our representatives work on our behalf in extreme ambiance. If we have 1000 generous souls, it will amount to an average of $12.50 each and for 2000 generous men and women, it will be $6.25 each, barely a cup of coffee or tea as you desire.

Times are hard everywhere in the world and given the paucity of hope and the profusion of despair in Gambia, it would seem understandable or even justifiable to ignore this call to join hands once again for our opposition parties. If you are at despair's door, I encourage you to reflect and consider this:

Yahya has extorted monies and property from those who openly or proudly support the opposition parties. He has made earning an income a near impossibility for opposition supporters. But for generous merchants, businessmen and women, NGO's, and the life-sustaining remittances we send them, these folk will be destitute. And they are our families and friends. They are the ones expected to attend these opposition party rallies and Congresses so they could effort to assure us and our progeny a peaceful and prosperous nation we can proudly call home and that can take its place among the comity of civilized nations. If you do not like what Yahya is doing, and you do not like any of the opposition leaders personally, I would encourage you to consider these people in your generous giving. You will agree with me that sans Yahya, a remitted dollar, dirham, dinar, pound, euro, ruble, yen, leone, franc, krona, mark, etc., will feed, clothe, and educate twice as many as it does with Yahya. If they are not robbed of it.

These opposition rallies and congresses are the lifeblood of political parties. In many nations, the national government establishes in her budget, a commensurate funding scheme for electioneering and campaigns. I think we all know such does not exist in Gambia. Not only that, for businessmen and women to earn a living and provide wages for their workers, they must and be seen to support the ruling APRC junta or risk being destituted. So the means with which our friends and family can earn a living much less afford to participate in the democratic life of our nation are fast diminishing. They become non-existent as elections draw nearer. You cannot fault businessmen and women for fearing for their lives and health much less risk their fortunes if they do not have a vested interest in Gambia's health. This is where we the Diasporans and friends of Gambia who are in relative peace and prosperity as compared to Gambia, come in. Given our populations in farflung lands I am confident we will be able to come up with 1000 or 2000 generous souls each donating $12.50 for the UDP's successful congress and turn back around and fund NADD and GMC's congresses when they solicit our assistance. The philanthropist only gives to causes which desire his/her gifting, no matter the cry.

In the same breath as I solicit you my colleagues to dig deeper in your hearts and minds to participate in saving Gambia, I encourage the opposition UDP/NRP, NADD, and GMC to eliminate waste and do earnest work on the behalf of Gambians. Giving is only joyful and fulfilling when the giver is convinced of honesty, integrity, and due-diligence. I encourage all three parties to hold rallies before their congresses and not to just wait for their congresses to begin holding rallies. Any party or alliance which does not hold at least three rallies, with or without APRC junta permit between now and their congress, will not be awarded any part of funds collected for party congresses. Instead, the funds will be returned to their honourable givers in good amount. Honest attempts to hold rallies which are then aborted by force majeure considerations will be taken in good faith as completed rallies. We cannot match the drug dealer and thief's war chest but we will do what we should to meet our considered goals.

I encourage my friends, colleagues, fellow citizens and friends of Gambia to send their generous contributions to:

The Global Democracy Project

P.O. Box 775

Lithia Springs, GA 30122

As we send and collect funds, please stay tuned for Part III in this series. For democracy's sakes.

Thank you.

Haruna Darbo