Fatou Jaw Manneh, veteran journalist and former ”"Honorary Adviser on Strategic Communications, Development and Emerging Social Issues“ to Gambian President, Adama Barrow has called for a “grand coalition“ against the alliance of the NPP and former ruling party APRC to ensure that President Barrow is not returned to State House on 4th December.
It could be recalled that Fatou Jaw Manneh resigned from her advisory role in the Barrow Administration following the announcement of the APRC on forming a coalition with the NPP of incumbent President Adama Barrow.
Fatou Jaw Manneh is a victim of the APRC government under former President Jammeh, and argued that her coincience and integrity does not allow her to serve in the Barrow government follwing the alliance of the two parties. She is now ready to help Cordinate a concerted effort of a grand coalition to remove President Barrow come December 4th.
Below, we reproduce verbatim, the clarion call of the Sukuta born journalist and human rights activist.
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"Bismilahi Rahman Raheem
Greetings and good morning, friends! I thank you all on the ground and around the world for the outpouring of support for the decision to resign from the Barrow government. I am convinced I did the right thing. I was so shocked I almost threw my head-tie into the ring. I wanted to surprise you all with the news that I want to run for president. These past few days had been difficult with conflicting and impulsive emotions but I decided to shelve that idea for a later date. Maybe for the next electoral cycle. God willing. I am now willing and ready to help coordinate the idea of a grand coalition against the NPP+APRC alliance/travesty. We need all soldiers of democracy to dust off their pants, wrappers and pens and come together and salvage the Gambia. Democracy is at risk again and we must rekindle the spirit of NEVER AGAIN. WE MUST ALL PUT COUNTRY FIRST?
Running for president is not a game, it is not a business venture, it is not a personal goal, it must be the sole reason and purpose of safeguarding the principles of democracy, protecting and elevating the status of citizens/mankind. Men, women and children, agriculture, tourism, health and education. We must strive to bring the best out of our citizens. It is not a joke or a game of personal aggrandizement tool. It must not be about having a bag full of degrees, or a bag full of money , nor a bag full of anger, but it must be a bag full of compassion and empathy for the citizens, especially the downtrodden. IT MUST BE FOR THE PEOPLE. Our brand-new democracy is at risk of sliding stealthily back into dictatorship and fascism. President Barrow has tricked us into the unimaginable. We are disappointed and our hopes are dashed again. We must act. We must form a grand coalition against this threat. We must grab the bull by the horn. IT IS NOW.
I am appealing to all citizens, all honorable men and women of conscience. I am appealing to Honourables Ousainou Darboe, Halipha Sallah, Uncle Sidea Jatta, OJ Jallow, BB Darboe, Mai Ahmad Fatty, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, Bojang, Mama Kandeh GDC, Bachilly, Jammeh, Kurang, Essa Faal. Those I know and those that I don't know about. All human rights journalists and activists of conscience nationally and internationally. This is not about partisan politics but once again this is about saving our country. Indeed politics makes strange bedfellows, but I am hoping for the sake of the country, we can all come together as one, make alliances to save our country even though we have widely differing views. I am appealing for decency in our body politic. Aggression, Intolerance, threats and disrespect must have no place in our political discourse. Having differing views and stance must not make us enemies. We must put our egos in check, band together as one to salvage Gambia. We must swiftly act. I will continue my community work and will work with any government department that is related to that. And back to the farms! Gambia must move on . We must not stall development for partisan political reasons. The conversation continues. You will hear from me soon. And I thank you very much.
Sincerely, Fatou Jaw Manneh❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️"