By: Nyima Sillah
Member of the United Democratic Party (UDP) AlagieS. Darboe has called for unity between President Adama Barrow and Lawyer Ousainou Darboe.
“I feel very troubled when I see my brother, making very uncomfortable statements against my father. I feel very comfortable if I see my father criticizing and my brother defending his programs but very uncomfortable if it should be otherwise,” Darboe stated at the launch of the national dialogue on Monday.
He appealed for Darboe and Barrow to nurture father-son relations for peaceful coexistence.
The UDP legislator said the dialogue, being held under the theme Our Collective Responsibility in Preserving the Nation, Safeguarding the State, and Securing Our Resources, was launched for a commitment to peace and stability.
“Political tolerance is above everything. You are the sitting President, and those who are fortunate and have parties are the opposition. Our role is to serve as watchdogs to criticize your programs and policies whether you see it to be constructive or otherwise. We may differ but that is our role,” Darboe told Barrow during the launch.
He further told the President that such criticisms should not be approached with ill-feeling but with a policy defense, saying President Barrow should not see his opponents as enemies but rather as brothers and sisters.
Commenting on the national dialogue, Mr. Darboe said the implementation of the outcomes of the dialogue matters.
“People will say we have commissions and those commissions have reports but the implementation of the reports is usually the problem. Will this dialogue follow the same pattern?” Darboe asked. He added: “I understand that today is the launching when we are reflecting on the theme. We will have another day when we will have a broad participation of about 500 members. I will say it should not be limited to that. It should go beyond because it should be a form of national consultation.”
