PRESS RELEASE:

STGDP held a Retreat in Frankfort, KY last month to find   a way forward and to explore political opportunities for 2011. The weekend retreat was held by the entire Executive of STGDP. The retreat was also seen by the organization as an opportunity to revisit the role of STGDP in the 2006 elections, in terms of missed opportunities and what could have been done to see the whole coalition process to a successful end. The anticipation was that such an exercise will help to carve a realistic way forward. The retreat started out by enumerating the successes and failures of STGDP, but the one issue that brought the most contentious debate was the revision of the decision made to endorse NADD after the UDP and NRP left the fold. Some of the members believed that the hasty endorsement of NADD did not help the organization in the credibility front in terms of engaging all sides of the divide; some of the other members still maintained that after the formation of NADD which the organization supported and endorsed, to walk away from it would have been seen as not principled and really a betrayal to the effort that we were at the forefront. In the final analysis, frank discussions have yielded positive insights into STGDP and will without a doubt help in the quest for a way forward.

 It is indeed an understatement that the disintegration of the coalition effort was a major blow to STGDP, disappointment led to frustration as the organization continued to struggle trying to keep the tiny flicker of hope. The members have invested lots of time, effort and financial commitment to the effort, and when the whole thing came crashing emotions took over and suspicions were at large. As the membership of STGDP eroded and a clear way forward became illusive, to the few members left were not sure how to proceed with the struggle. Of course, the arrest of one of our members, Fatou Jaw Manneh became the awakening to most of us, and a clear reminder that the fight to bring about democracy in the Gambia cannot be ever abandoned. We have had several telephone conferences – trying to seek a realistic frame work or way to continue the struggle against the status quo in the Gambia. After looking into different strategies: like forming a new political party, a direct engagement  to  the APRC,  STGDP has really concluded that maybe there are still opportunities left in what was started, and that there is a need to go back to the drawing board and to reach out to all the players and begin the task of rapprochement. Even though, there was reluctance from some of the members, but the general consensus is that change can still be brought about under the leadership of Halifa, Ousainou, Hamat and OJ. The bottom line is that, it is really a question of political necessity to frame the opposition strategy among these players that have already build structures in the Gambia with grass support. STGDP is not advocating for the continuation of the template that was in place, but rather to start the arduous task of rebuilding a credible and effective opposition in the Gambia. The first goal is to build a solid voice among all activists in the Diaspora from all political parties. The second goal will be to start the rebuilding of trust between UDP and NADD, and to start a coordination of activities between the two parties. This is not about jumping and forming a coalition, or the recreation of NADD. But rather working together, and addressing issues that the principal opposition players can agree upon, especially against Jammeh and to take him on every turn until the election in 2011.

 As for the issue that the opposition disappointed the Diaspora, STGDP has finally come to terms that the road to democracy and a free Gambia is full of stumbling blocs, and it would be very naive on our part to expect positive results right away. The options are very clear we can either stay defeated, or go back to the drawing board and build a new strategy. For now, there is a renew enthusiasm among all the members of STGDP that it is indeed worth it to continue the struggle, no matter what temporal setbacks we are faced with. This is the price we are willing to pay to contribute in the building of democracy, peace and rule of law in the Gambian. STGDP still considers Ousainou, Halifa, Hamat and OJ as patriots that have given a lot and that their sacrifices and commitments cannot be overlooked, even though there were big political miss-opportunities that were not fully exploited in the last effort.

STGDP is back and we are looking for a new beginning , and looking forward to working with all Gambians in the Diaspora to bring back the enthusiasm we once had in the early part of the 2006 coalition effort.

Thanks

Musa Jeng

Chairman STGDP