Gambia: OPPOSITION COALITION TALKS HAVE NOT FAILED.

Reports that some members of the opposition parties walked out or withdrew from the Inter Party Talks because their positions were defeated Did NOT mean their parties have pulled out of the Grand Coalition/Alliance negotiations. The UDP, PDOIS, PPP, NRP, NCP, GPDP, GMC, GDC and Dr Isatou Touray, are still expected to consult and start this Unity Candidate initiative.

 I think we need to understand that the said 'talks' were the Youth/Junior members of the parties that initiated a bottom-up approach. In As much as they represented their parties, the outcome wasn't to be binding. That was spelt out clearly from the onset. They were to take their outcome and recommendations to the various party executives for consideration. The inter party committee was NOT a final 'official' coalition talks. And PDOIS were NEVER part of it. Never sent a rep at these meetings. As far as the official Coalition talks are concerned, let's stay optimistic and encourage the senior executives or party reps to, in earnest, sit around the table to come up with a favorable, winnable outcome. However that is.

They, WE will get it right this time.

   ******   The End ******

Pata PJ
September 8, 2016