Wednesday 16 December 2015

GMC Leader call on Ecowas Chairman to act on Gambian Opposition Demands



By Sainey MK Marenah
Dakar-
Hon Fatty Addressing the Press
The Party leader and founder of opposition Gambia Moral Congress, Hon Mai Ahmad Fatty has urged the Chairman of the Ecowas and President of Senegal, Macky Sall to quickly act on the demands of the Gambian opposition in an letter sent to Eowas by Gambian opposition parties ahead of the Dec 2016 Presidential elections.
Speaking in Dakar on Tuesday at a news conference witness by local diplomats and Gambians in Senegal, GMC leader said members of the Gambia opposition have written to Ecowas demanding the commission intervention in calling for electoral reforms and term limit in the Gambia.
“The Gambian oppositi
on wrote to the Ecowas and we want President Sall as the chairman of the Ecowas to act on our letter as we have not heard from the commission since the letter was sent. We are waiting on Ecowas respond,” he said.
Hon Fatty call came, as head of state of Ecowas are gathering in Nigeria capital Abuja for a summit that will discuss proposed Ecowas term Limit, peace and security in West Africa among other burring issues.
President Jammeh is reportedly among dozens of West African leaders attending the summit and many believe he will again come under heavy pressure to accept the proposed term limit after rejecting the deal previously alongside his Togolese counterpart.
The news conference is held under the theme: ‘Building Special Relations between Senegal and Gambia and brought together members of both the local and international press.

Erosion of Rights
Mr. Fatty raises serious concern on systematic violation of human rights perpetrated by Jammeh administration calling on the international community to act and stop Jammeh from acting with impunity.
“We are at crossroads. The forces of evil and the forces of good are at a crossroads in The Gambia. What we have seen in the Gambia under Yahya Jammeh is a complete decadence of our economy, erosion of our rights, lack of freedom of expression, violation of human rights, etc. So we have had enough of Yahya Jammeh and it is now time for him to go,” Hon Fatty told reporters.
GMC position on 2016
Speaking on the position of his party in 2016 elections, Hon Fatty disclosed that GMC would participate in Dec 1 2016 elections under the condition that there is electoral reform and elections are held without Jammeh contesting for fifth term.
“Our conditions for 2016 are clear, electoral reforms and no fifth term for Jammeh. If our demands are met, we want go to elections without Jammeh as a candidate. 21 years is enough. We will certainly contest the 2016 elections.” He told journalists.
He said: “I am willing to help President Jammeh to exit safely only if his name is not on the ballot box and negotiate with the international community for him to leave power. And if he fail all these including electoral reforms, then there will be no elections.”
Gambia as an ‘Islamic State’
Ask by journalists his reaction to President Jammeh’s proclamation that the Gambia is now an Islamic State, the politician cum lawyer describe the move as a threat to national security and unconstitutional.
“The move by Jammeh to declare Gambia an Islamic state is unconstitutional and a threat to peaceful coexistence. The Gambia is a secular state constitutionally and anything that will change that, it must go through due process (referendum),” the charismatic GMC leader said.
He said the Gambia constitution guarantee freedom of religion and therefore the president cannot impose an Islamic state without referendum.
Gambia-Senegal Relations
On Gambia- Senegal relations, Hon Fatty accused Jammeh of inciting unnecessary hatred against the Senegalese leadership while denouncing the recent attach and insults lunch by Jammeh against past and current Senegalese presidents.
He described Gambia and Senegal as one country divided by colonial masters indicating that GMC if voted into office will work hard to cement the longstanding relationship between the two countries.

 GMC Award
Add caption
Meanwhile, Gambia Moral Congress has given award to former Presidents of Senegal Abdoulaye Wade and Abdou Diouf for their outstanding leadership and bringing in peace and friendship between the people of the two countries.
The European Union Delegation in Dakar was also given an award for their support to the Gambia’s development agenda and Article 8 political Dialogue with the Gambia government.  
 Members of their respective parties received the award on behalf of the former presidents.