Mohamed Jamil Derbah (*)
We know our history well and we know how things are. We understand that in our land
the development of the people has not been even and that the lack of integrity in the
government has left us disillusioned. The word politics already has a stain from the
moment it is pronounced and the political profession has a blind discredit, regardless of
who exercises it.
I’m here for responsibility. Because, like you, I don’t like how politics is conducted on
this island and specifically in a municipality in the South. Because we all agree that it is
necessary to change the way in which the institutions are managed and that the dignity
of the citizen must be recovered, and to do everything despite our differences of
opinion.
But I am also here for the pleasure of working for this land, in which I have put down
roots, made and developed friendships and formed a great family. Because I have grown
as a person in Tenerife and I have the pleasure of representing my people who have firm
character and opinions and a good heart, with temper and willingness to work.
I want to be a voice on this island, in this South, to loudly denounce the injustices and
what happens to us, from the smallest to the largest.
Friends, we have lost our way in the exercise of municipal politics. Instead of being a
consensus-building mechanism that allows us to solve common problems, it has become
a mean-spirited environment, where slander, outbursts, and dirty warfare are the norm,
and where there is little consistent debate.
We must not break with the system but rehabilitate it. We must be ready for a new way
of doing politics: with courtesy and respect, with transparency and honesty, with
firmness but also openness. Party lines should go to the background.
But this must be based on human development because the person and his optimal
training and livelihood are the best investment we can make for the future of our island
and our South. It is necessary to strengthen the economy of our municipalities and
optimize their infrastructure. But not the big new infrastructure, but the vital
infrastructure that so many people need.
Topics as basic and necessary as water, drainage, lighting; an adequate road distribution
and urban mobility and a public transport system of supreme quality.
Development must be sustainable, planned with the greatest intelligence to protect and
maintain a responsible balance with the environment and ensure the well-being of future
generations.
The time has come to recover the dignity of our democratic institutions and the best
vehicle to achieve this is democracy itself. And in that work they will find me, always.
(*) International advisor to several African countries and hotel entrepreneur
