Dear Editor,

Please allow me to clarify an issue or two to Mr Haruna Darboe in his response I just pick at Senegambia News site to my previous piece.

Haruna has indeed confirmed my thoughts of where he was coming from and why. However, I want to assure him that I harbour no grudge or ill-will at any opposition leaders or his person. I must tell him the wrangling I said, was between the opposition leaders in their reasons forwarded for not unifying and not between me, him or any individual currently contributing to debates to salvage Gambia.

My suggestion he has misconstrued is; it is usual for leaders, opposition or ruling to cling to power, unlike in mature democratic societies. This seems to currently be the case in Gambia today and is acceptable as we indeed get a long way to go as a nation and community. In unpacking the suggestion I made; here is it. Hence the opposition leaders are ‘entitled’ to continue to lead the parties as accepted by the members, it has been proven that they have not been able to unseat APRC in past elections. And it has also been proven that, despite attempts for a ‘unified-union’ of political parties in the past, it’s been apparent that there were issues and motives blocking the desired outcome. Now, the opposition parties should overcome these differences and pull together and accept one among them to lead in the forth coming contest. But with past attempts in mind, I see chances of fruition of another same attempt very slim if we at all can. So I gave my own suggestion, NOT necessarily to say WILL BE adopted, that if the opposition leaders won’t accept one another assuming the lead role in next election, WHETHER it could be acceptable for the opposition (leaders and committees) look for somebody acceptable outside the current leaders to TEMPORALY lead the unified opposition to unseat APRC. This person will rule for a limited period, get us a real Constitution than the bogus one we currently have and get grounds levelled for the present opposition parties, old and new, (except for him/her in charge) to contest another for a fresh start. However, this person should only be barred from contesting at the end of his/her term ONLY that s/he should be able to join or form a party of his own as desired and contest in future elections. I hope am now me clear.

I actually enjoyed this exchange and would tell you that I am another ordinary Gambian far from political power with my birth place’s (Gambia) interest at heart as the only Home I got. I also frequently visit as majority of my family lives back home and do participate in voting. I believe you are entitled in your reaction as I will translate this Mandika adage again like I always do, as you observed that I do not quote in Manding dialect direct.. ‘Pain is felt by a monkey when its tail is pinched no matter how long it may be.’ I really meant no offence to your relatives and loved ones in opposition. I keenly wait for part II of your suggestion for solution as debate must go on for we don’t seem to have much time left.

May God help us this time. Amen.

Yours,

Hakilo