(JollofNews) – Gambia’s Interior Minister, Mai Ahmad Fatty has been strongly criticised for hastily orchestrating the arrest and detention of former intelligence officials without building strong evidence or notifying the Ministry of Justice.
Nine former senior intelligence officials were arrested and charged for the torture and murder of Solo Sandeng, a member of the president’s party.
Mr Sandeng died in custody a few hours after he was arrested for leading a rare anti-regime protest.
However, since the arrest of the men, the case has suffered several adjournments due to lack of material information. On Monday, state prosecutors demanded the trial to be put on hold as investigations are still ongoing and documents such as exhibits, summary of evidence, witness statements, among others, are missing.
The Ministry of Justice said it was shocked at the speed at which the officers were arrested by the police without its knowledge.
” It is rather unfortunate that the Ministry of Justice was not consulted by the Ministry of the Interior or the police before any action was taken in this case, especially in view of the fact that the Justice Ministry was going to be ultimately responsible for the case when it is presented before our courts,” said Abubacarr Tambedou, Attorney General and minister of Justice.
“The Ministry of Justice has requested the police to conduct a more thorough investigation into the case. I wish to state for the record, that this is in no way a reflection of the work of the police. They too have come under a lot of pressure to conduct a complex investigation within a very short time. This is why we must always endeavour to investigate before arrest rather than arrest and then investigate.”
The Ministry of the Interior has defended the arrest of the men which it said properly done in accordance with the law, and the best interest of the government of The Gambia and the citizens particularly the victims of torture, enforced disappearances, killings and other predatory mal-governance.
Interior Minister Mai Ahmad Fatty said the apprehension of the former officers was a result of excellent collaborative effort between the police and the armed forces which required utmost secrecy and discretion within the law ‘so as to avert the escape of some of these dangerous elements out of the jurisdiction.’
But the Justice minister has warned the government not to rush with criminal investigations.
Mr Tambedou said: “Criminal investigations require careful planning and strategizing and will often involve specialized investigation techniques which may not be readily available in this country. Otherwise, there is a real risk of missing or losing crucial evidence which can lead to the collapse of an entire case at trial. This is why it is preferable that criminal investigations and evidence collection be guided by the Justice Ministry right from the start.”
He added: “We must recognize that we are now operating under a new and different judicial climate and that our judiciary will be expected to assert their judicial independence and will vigorously scrutinize every piece of evidence presented by the prosecution as required in any normal criminal proceeding. That is why we must also adhere to due process.
“Anyone familiar with serious criminal prosecutions will understand and appreciate the challenge of proving beyond reasonable doubt every element of a crime charged and the modes of liability alleged. Hence the importance of thinking through certain matters and taking great care before acting.
Mr Tambedou who previously worked as a lawyer at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, serving as special assistant to the prosecutor from 2012 to 2016 added: “The priority at this moment is to rebuild the justice system of our country and strengthen capacity of the Ministry of Justice in this process. We must have the necessary legal processes and mechanisms in place to ensure not only prosecutions in the short-term but also safeguarding the fair trial rights of the accused so that you the Gambian people and generations of Gambians yet unborn can live in this country safe in the knowledge that our criminal justice system will dispense justice in a fair, impartial and dispassionate manner.
“We must focus on building a strong, robust and independent justice system to match the aspirations of the people of this country so that no one in this country will ever be dragged before our courts for a crime that they did not commit. That is the primary objective of our reform agenda.
“The Ministry of Justice takes very seriously the case of the unfortunate death in custody of Solo Sandeng and all other similar unfortunate incidents over the past 22 years of the former government and that is why we must adopt a comprehensive and holistic approach to addressing these justice related challenges rather than approaching it piecemeal.
“Moreover, we must also be careful so as not to undermine the president’s desire to move this country forward by encouraging open discussions about the past and fostering national reconciliation through the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Any action, particularly in these early days, must be geared towards achieving that objective. Any other action that runs contrary to this spirit at this moment in time is both unwise and potentially dangerous. As leaders, we will have to make some hard choices. Difficult decisions form part of the burden of leadership. We must lead by example and at times, even lead public opinion in the supreme national interest.
“Consequently, no new criminal cases involving crimes allegedly committed by the former government will be handled by the Ministry unless they are thoroughly and comprehensively investigated, and until the Ministry of Justice is also ready in terms of its capacity, resources, and logistical needs, and only after the approval of cabinet. As at this moment, we are a long way from that state of trial readiness. The working conditions of the Ministry must be improved first before we can engage in such highly complex and demanding exercises.
“A Truth and Reconciliation Commission with appropriate reparations for victims will be set up within the next six months and public hearings will be expected to commence by the end of the year. We will need to adapt the lessons learnt from other TRCs to our particular context in The Gambia.
“Meanwhile, consultations are currently taking place to identify appropriate persons of high moral character and integrity from a cross-section of our social, cultural and religious communities for appointment as commissioners to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. An appropriate location for the public hearings will also be identified. A public information and awareness campaign shall also be launched soon to start discussions on national television and private radio stations throughout the country about the purpose and objective of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
“The Ministry of Justice has developed and almost finalized its transitional strategic paper which details the policy and operational roadmap of the ministry during this transition period. However, a successful implementation of this strategic plan will ultimately depend on the extent and nature of support that the Ministry will receive from its key partners both within and outside government. I hope that we can all work together as one team with the sole objective of fulfilling the aspirations of the people of The Gambia to live in peace, dignity and the pursuit of happiness.”
Again mai Fatty, you are being warned. Abuse of power never works simply follow the rules of law, if are not sure make a consultation to some one competent, multiple violation Will land you in trouble.
There is lack of cordination between Justice and Interior in this case , but why is Tambedou making his case in the media. Fatty is still learning the limits of his responsibility, he will make mistakes, the professional resolution should occur away from public view.I must confess that as a Gambian I am hugely pleased that the NIA murders are at mile2. Any sane human being can see they belong there. However in the new Gambia we cannot and must not allow our pain to cause us to degenerate to the lunacy of Jammeh . We must learn to follow due process. Gambians are watching. The world is watching .
“Dr” Isatou Sar,
Come on flambouyant “dr”. Tell the truth. You have for a long time been digressing from the truth to blindly and sillily support the unconstitutional and dictatorial behaviours of your bitty disintegrated, inept and incompetent “coalition” bunch of unqualified governors.
This Mai Fatty has always had that erratic and irresponsible attitude which does not qualify him for the position he’s holding. Didn’t you follow him during the 2012 presidential elections campaign? From then you would have learnt that he’s got a vengeful and erratic conduct and could not serve a persevered public officer. You’ll learn more about him in the succeeding months and years, if ever he continues in the position. Tambedou just wanted to notify/inform the Gambian populace. Why hide behind the cloak? Doesn’t the administration owe the masses the right to information? You must be resolute in our judgement and recall our demands while in opposition. You are being cynical!
That’s why I blame you the blind-folded supporters of your government in not filing the truth and warning them against wrong doings, matters you had villified President Jammeh for.
The NIA men were hastily arrested, out of vengeance, remanded over the 72-hour custody period and brought before the courts without proper indictment from the prosecution. Is that the Gambia you have worked for, “dr”?
Babu, stop twisting the facts. No one was detained for more than 72 hours without being charged. They are in remand because the prosecution was able to convince a judge that they are a flight risk, period. Justice and security ministries all over the world are always facing this same issue, conflict between security and justice how to balance it. Even in the country where you live the same issue is happening so it is not unique to the Gambia that the Justice minister will disagree with the actions of the security minister. You should be ashamed of yourself for supporting Jammeh because what the Justice minister said is more of an indictment on Jammeh and the mess he left the country in, than it is on Mai Fatty. If Jammeh had not messed every sector of the nation we would not be having this discussion. Babu are you jealous of Dr Sarr? If not why do you add inverted commas to her title?
Buba Sanyang,
Why ask me such a childish question about the double-inverted commas on Sarr’s “dr” ?
Please remind yourself about plegiarism, forging and buying to obtain titles! You are learned, Buba.
When I read responsible literature, I address the addressee with due respect. That responsible input has always been absent in our “learned dr’s” contribution.
Nonetheless, I give due respect to her honoured Gambian name and surname by writing both with capital letters. That’s enough!
I would like to get more information about that prosecution filing based on risks of absconding from judgement and when those files were submitted to the judge. Don’t you think it was after the judge’s threat to set them free when the prosecution hastily pushed for the prolongation of custody based on risks of absconding? As usual, you’ll always come with flimsy points to exonerate your mates, Buba, even when things are wrong. However, we’ll follow you at all times.
Remember that I have once told you that we’ll come up with constructive and responsible opposition that will persuade our country people to return us to power.
I’ll see you on Monday ’cause I hardly have time at the weekends; my family’s time is sacred.
Babu, it’s you who’s being childish by assuming that Dr Sarr may have bought her qualifications without any proof. So try and be more respectful towards her. You or your loved one may one day need her services. If you feel that my points exonerate my “mates” then my points cannot be called flimsy, they must be very strong points to exonerate anyone. Enjoy your family time and extend my brotherly Gambian love to all of them.
Indeed Buba, Babu has no grounds for “assuming that Dr Sarr may have bought her qualifications without any proof”.
The interior ministry is, by far, the most efficient ministry at the moment. Jugulars and self evident NIA operatives are in the net. Many foreign soldiers engaged by Jammeh are either in the net or have left the country. This purging is necessary and the actions of police, acknowledged by Tambedou , are necessary because of absconding risk. These operatives have clear case to answer for. They belong in custody until a verdict is reached. This is the praxis everywhere. Jammeh denied people who have not killed anyone bail. We can only apply the minimum due process guarantee here. Which include access to health care. Again they don’t deserve to enjoy our democratic rights and privileges they blatantly denied their victims. That must be emphatically made clear.
Which is it ? “Presumed INNOCENT until proven guilty” or “GUILTY until proven innocent”.
The case is clear. Solo Sandeng died under their watch. Not only killed but also buried gruesomely. Another act that fully fulfilled an element of crime. So presumed guilty is not the issue here but what was their individual roles in this crime and who asked them to do it. Then the verdict. The police do not release a terrorist arrested red-handed at crime scene. The terrorist wait in the cell for the sentence.
Indeed Kinteh, well put.
Let me start by saying “I stand to be xorrected”.
I have no objection to Mr. Mai Fatty arresting these criminals as soon as possible and remand them in prison while liaising with Justice ministry for any other neccessary action. The Hon. Justice Minister is talking about all neccessary grounds to be set before they can proceed with what Interior Ministry is doing, and that might take the next six months and beyond. One thing we should understand here is that the government might not have all the necessary resources right now for the Justice Ministry to start these cases, but all those arrested might have the resources they need to flee the country. It happens everywhere in the world where such high-class accused people are arrested and detained while investigations continue to prevent them from fleeing or posing more damages/threatts to the public. Already some jungulars fled the country, to prevent similar occurences, Interior ministry, to me, is doing the right thing by arresting such people. The point should be to liaise with Justice Ministry for any other neccessary actions after the arrests. Justice Ministry should not complain about Interior Ministry conducting hasty arrests. Those arrests are in line with Public Interest.
I stand to be corrected.
Is very clear for those who want to see the truth, there is pure revenge !!!!
I don’t agree that this matter should be quietly dealt with without public knowledge. We have voted for openness in government, and we demand openness on matters that are not security related, and this one is certainly not so. The dispute between the two ministries could, and should have been avoided, if proper mechanisms for collaboration are in place and followed, as should be between the two ministries.
The Interior Minister should know and understand that if state resources are not going to be wasted on crowd pleasing but wild goose chases, his ministry must consult with the Justice Ministry before suspects are charged and brought to court, because at the end of the day, it is the Justice Ministry that will be responsible for successful or unsuccessful prosecutions.
Arresting the NIA 9 may be a popular and welcome move by many, for obvious reasons, but hard and convincing evidence will be needed to secure prosecutions. Otherwise, you will either resort to indefinite detentions without trial, or releasing the suspects and facing the same high risk of escape, which you claimed to be preventing in the first place.
There is another dimension to this unfortunate incident, and it is that, yet again, Mai Fatty is at the centre of another situation that portrays the government and/or coalition team in a very negative way.
-During the impasse, he made a public announcement in Dakar relating to stolen millions that the office of the spokesperson wasn’t aware of, thus creating a tense situation;
-Then, he unconstitutionally tabled bills for enactment in the house which the Justice Minister wasn’t aware of, as later claimed, thus causing untold damage to the health of the coalition team and embarrassment to the government;
-At their three party tactical alliance press conference, he announced unilaterally, that Halifa Sallah was no longer the spokesperson, which proved to be false, again causing further damage to the alliance unity;
-Now, his Ministry is charging suspects and taking them to court, without consulting with the Justice Ministry.
How long before we all recognise and admit that Mai Fatty is exhibiting tendencies which are incompatible with order, respect for each other, good team work and adherence to due processes ?
Bax, I am beside myself with joy at your detailed, direct and honest analysis of Mai Fatty’s Despotic and Unconstitutional Abuse of Power. Within a period of just about two months of taking charge of Affairs of the Ministry of the Interior, Mai Fatty has been busy like the “Bever” he resembles being first, the Self-designated “Special” or Senior Spokesman of the Coalition Alliance President. He went on to make Claims of “Missing Millions of DALASIS that are yet to be Verified or Confirmed by an Independent Oversight entity. He put on his Self-appointed “Speaker” of the House or National Assembly and Tabled Two Bills for the National Assembly to Vote on. The Bills were Rubber Stamped by a “Cowed” down National Assembly, Only thanks to the Great Gambian, Hon. Halifa Sallah, the Vice President’s Position Bill was found to be Unconstitutional based on the Section he, a Supposedly learnded Attorney or Lawyer did not know better or as usual with Malice and Forethought, embarked on an I’ll Conceived and Unconditional Enterprise. The same Mai Fatty, Unilaterally with Malice and without the Designated Authority, Declared that an Honorable and Distinguished Gambian Citizen, Hon. Halifa Sallah’s Position as the Coalition Alliance Government Spokesman has been removed from his position. The same Mai Fatty is now revealed to have Unilaterally engineered the Arrest of Nine former NIA Officials without Consultation with the Minister of Justice, whoes responsibility and Office is responsible for such Activities. The same Mai Fatty who aided and abetted the assault on the Foroya Journalist Jephang, by allegedly identifying him as “the Foroya Journalist” and that “he is a trouble maker”. It is the same Mai Fatty who allegedly Ordered the Arrest of One Fatou Badgie for allegedly insulting President Adama Barrow. Would you know it, it is the same Mai Fatty who allegedly Ordered the Arrest and Detention of the Jolas of Kafenda Village for allegedly getting into an altercation with the UDP Supporters. Ms Fatty has an Ego, Stubbornness and Ethnocentric tendencies and believes that would fill the National Stadium and left over. Law abiding Gambians and Gambia will Overcome the likes of Mai Fatty. Let’s hope that Mai Fatty does not Destroy the last thread holding the Peace loving Gambians together as One. All Gambians of Good Conscience should lend their Support to the Minister of Justice, Tambedu and Hon. Halifa Sallah. Mai Fatty is the Sana Sabally of the Junta Days in 1994. If Past History and events informs the Present, Mai Fatty would soon find out that burning the candle at both ends even in good times, can only end bad. However, when it is for Evil, it always ends bad. I commend Madi Jobarteh’s take on the Minister of Justice, Tambedu. Many GamBrian’s do the same, but I don’t think that he Should Resign from his position No matter what Mai Fatty does. The Minister of Justice Tambedu’s would be Playing into Mai Fatty, Ousainou Darbo and Adama Barrow’s Regime if he Resigns, he would be abandoning a government to Mai Fatty and Ousainou Darbo. Who knows what the Three Amigos are Up-to. Gambians Need more men and women like the Minister of Justice and Hon. Halifa Sallah On the Inside of the Den of Serpents and Scoundrels. Gambia is More than the Sum Total of One Ethnic Group and Region. One Gambia, One Ethnic Group and Region.
So my in-law, we come back finally to the real truth of this matter: THE ATTEMPTED PUBLIC LYNCHING OF MAI FATTY.
I believe he is a strong man, and if he can STAND UP to Jammeh IN JAMMEH’s GAMBIA and SURVIVE (at a time when his main attackers were treading silently around Banjul like frightened alley cats) then MAI CAN SURVIVE THIS. I wish him well in his efforts to provide JUSTICE to the actual victims of Yahya Jammeh. MAI FATTY KNOWS HE IS BEING ATTACKED UNFAIRLY AND HE LOOKS STRONGER FOR IT – BLESS HIM.
I’m sorry my in law, but this is not public lynching. It’s accountability and transparency. Mai should not be above public scrutiny, just as Ousainou Darboe and Halifa Sallah aren’t. There is no reason to see public criticism against Mai as “public lynching”, when the same is not said when Darboe and Sallah, perhaps the most publicly criticised politicians (fairly or unfairly), are the subjects of our criticism.
Personal attacks are unhealthy, unnecessary and uncalled for, and I will join all to condemn this behaviour.
Many though, are just calling Mai to order.
There is no problem with his enthusiasm to get the job done, but that must NEVER be at the expense of order, respect and adherence to due process and established protocols.
We shouldn’t ignore the little, because as experience showed, they soon become a habit and mushroom into more serious problems.
We remember when the Junta arrested former officials and disrespectfully dumped them in the backs of Police trucks. Many didn’t batter an eyelid because, subconsciously, I guess everyone, except families, believe they were guilty. We know what that led to soon after.
We must never look the other way ever again because, as the saying goes, “POWER CORRUPTS; AND ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY. “
I would never agree with trial by social media as many accusations are baseless and founded on rumour/ prejudice/ or hearsay. But we must always remember the purpose of a National Intelligence Agency;
There are several accounts that during Jammeh’s tenure, this agency degenerated into methods of interrogation that fell well below Internationally agreed standards, to which The Gambia was a signatory.The details of which are contained in many human rights reports gathered by credible nations/organisations substantiated by overwhelming/ evidence/ eye witness accounts.
When a State or an officer of that State employs methods that does not conform to Law or The Constitution or accepted International rules on the rights of citizens held for questioning, then it may be considered that The Agency may have become an enemy of innocent people and not the protector of innocent people. There must also be consideration as to on whose authority such alleged atrocities were carried out. Was it local or isolated or did the reach go much higher.
We must also require an explanation from those alleged to be involved, as to where those held captive and disappeared without trace, when and where they died and catalogue how they were treated and where there remains lay.The list of which has been well documented. Those tasked with this responsibility by Government must adhere to the strict code of conduct, procedure or protocol.
However, those who witnessed or were victims still living, or were the families of those deceased/missing must come forward and there evidence must be taken and corroborated/substantiated/ systematically/methodically.
If those tasked with gathering this evidence do not conform or adhere to “procedure or accepted protocol” then there may exist an unacceptable risk that those guilty could be found innocent through lack of credible evidence. This would be an avoidable error.
It may well be that previous experience in other parts of Africa giving precedence in similar cases, that they found the superior option was to conduct a Truth and Reconciliation Committee, as a means to keep the substance of any nation affected, in tact and to bring a healing process back to that Nation in a timely manner and also for testimony to be given freely without legal caution.
The Gambia will still require a National Security Agency and make certain that ordinary members of The APRC Party ,and or there officers are allowed to maintain there political right to exist and follow there political belief and conscience.
I do not think that any process deemed fit for purpose can be rushed. Witch hunting or vengeance can never be part of any form of Justice.
Those found guilty must pay there debt to society.
Those found innocent, must be let go.
The Law is the Law and no person is above the Law. But all are innocent unless and until proven guilty. These are well founded principals of Justice.
I have great sympathy for the victims and there families, loved ones and friends/ I do hope that any process will give them some form of closure.
Opinion.
Bax, i want to be a bit of a devil’s advocate here and ask few questions because we need more clarifications on these issues. How was it possible that Mai Fatty managed to draft two amendment bills and present them to the national assembly without the Justice minister being aware of it? Who drafted the amendment bills? Where was the Justice minister when all this was happening? If the Justice minister was not consulted by Barrow, then Barrow should explain why he is not seeking counsel from his chief legal adviser. Mai could not have unilaterally decided that he was going to introduce some amendment bills without the president’s knowledge. Are the people who drafted the bills employees of the ministry of Justice? If yes why or how come was the Justice minister not aware of it? On the issue of the NIA 9 the police do not have to inform the Justice ministry that they were going to arrest them. What is required of the police is to act promptly on intelligence they receive in order to prevent crime from taking place and prevent miscarriage of justice. They do not have to have all the evidence to effect arrests, suspicion and credible intelligence is sufficient. That’s why the constitution gives the police the power to detain an individual for 72 hours without charge. That 72 hr grace period is for the police to gather evidence and if they could’t gather enough evidence within that period then they can go to the courts to seek an extension to detain the suspect longer. That is how policing is done even in Europe and America. The police will effect an arrest, gather evidence and pass it to the prosecution for decision on what charge or charges to be brought against that individual. So what is happening in the Gambia in the case of the NIA 9 is not unique. Who charged the NIA 9 of conspiracy to commit felony, was it the police or the office of the DPP? If it was the police then Mai is at fault for any mess that comes out of this but if it was the office of the DPP then Ba Tambedou should have been aware of it unless if he is being Machiavellian in this whole drama.
Buba…You have asked some very good and pertinent questions. I hope someone provides the answers.
With regards to Justice vs Interior, you will notice that I only faulted the interior at the point where they decided to prosecute, without consulting with Justice.
Until then, it is their role to do whatever needed doing to protect the public or bring alleged criminals before the law. To this end, executing arrests, interrogating suspects, collecting evidence, identifying witnesses and preparing a case file are all within their domain, but once they complete a case file, the next stage of the justice delivery system, I think, is prosecution of suspects, which is out of their domain.
That falls under the domain of the Justice Ministry and Interior must consult with Justice at that point, because that’s where the expertise to assess the evidence, determine the chances of conviction and proffer the proper charges, can be found. That’s why charge sheets, which are prepared by the Police, are sometimes amended in court, either to reflect new evidence or increase chances of conviction.
Again, whether the DPP was consulted or not is not known to us, as we can only go by what’s in the public domain, but from my observations, I would say that the evidence before us suggests that the DPP wasn’t consulted.
Why is this the case ? Justice made an allegation that they were not consulted by Interior and cautioned against hasty prosecutions. Interior had the duty to respond and they did, but did not refute the allegations. Instead, they praised the Police and Army, claimed that they acted in the interest of the state and assured us that all was within the law. No rebuttal of the allegation, so it stands.
Here’s my theory of what may have happened: The Police arrested the suspects, conducted investigations, collected evidence, charged the suspects and prepared a case file, but rather than pass the case file to Justice, which I think, is the normal procedure, the Police prosecution unit proceeded to prosecute without consulting Justice, and if this is the case, then the question arises, “Why?”, because the Police are not novices in this area.
The only logical conclusion, from my view point, is that the departure of the Police from normal procedure must have something to do with the “New Sheriff” in town.
Bax, i know you will come up with a sensible reply. My questions are for anyone with credible information or knowledge to come up with the answers. I know you only fault interior about the prosecution and i will go with you on your theory that the police prosecution unit might have been the ones who proffer the charges against the suspects. I have stated that if that is the case then Mai has caused the mess. I think Barrow should just dissolve the police prosecution unit and let Justice handle all prosecutions from hence forth there are enough lawyers in the Gambia to do it. If any qualified lawyer in the police prosecution unit wants to continue practicing then they can be transferred to Justice.
Buba Sanyang,
Good afternoon Buba,
I think we’ll soon see eye to eye, not on all, but on some very pertinent and crucial national matters. You’ll surely agree with me that the democratic pretext is not present in most of your bitty “coalition” government’s decisions. They are utterly vengeful.
What more information have you received about:
1) the costs of Barrrow and entourage’s stay in that luxurious Dakar hotel prior to his return?
2) the costs of his use of the hotel/office at Senegambia?
3) the costs of the 52nd independence anniversary?
4) the corruptible gifts from a Senegalese estate dealer?
5) the deaths of innocent Gambians at the 52nd independence anniversary?
6) his wife’s wedding trip to Dakar?
7) his D200,000 monthly salary free from tax and other amenities?
8) money dished out to the Senegalese Marabouts during his “state visit”.
I’ll come with more wrong-doings from Mai Fatty, the eccentric Minister of Interior. He’s the law, the executive and the executioner!
Babu, hope you’ve had a good weekend with the family? Now that you are back and fresh let me hammer you with some more facts that will send your head spinning. Babu, i can see eye to eye with anyone when they are right or say something sensible. Is your understanding of democracy limited or is your opinion of democracy in the Gambia skewed by your bias towards the current government? Please tell me what is vengeful in trying to get justice for innocent unarmed school children shot dead in broad day light? What is vengeful in trying to get justice for innocent Gambians who disappeared into thin air after been taken into custody by security forces? What is vengeful in trying to get justice for innocent Gambians who suffered physical and emotional traumas from the hands of the security forces? What is vengeful in trying to get justice for innocent Gambians tortured to death by security forces? Please don’t tell me that you condone these crimes. And please don’t insult the memories of those who suffered these atrocities by trying to score cheap political points.
Babu, it is now time to answer your questions.
1. I honestly do not know the cost of Barrow’s stay in Senegal and who foot the bill. I will make further enquiry into the matter and will let you know as soon as i get the facts. However he would not have fled to Senegal if Yahya had guaranteed his safety. Remember he lost his son while in exile. He could not even attend his burial. So Barrow started is presidency experiencing exactly what thousands of Gambians experiencing for 22yrs because of Yahya, loosing loved ones and not been able to say good bye to them.
2. If Yahya had handed over the state house to Barrow instead of creating a situation that enabled people to loot the place, then Barrow would not have been using a hotel as an office. Do you think that running the state house is cheaper than his office in a hotel? Don’t you know that state house is a five star hotel?
3. The operative word here is Independence Anniversary. And this year it was combined with a presidential inauguration. This has saved the country a lot of money because if they were separated it would have cost more.
4. Babu i am on record with other progressive Gambians who called on the president to declare that gift as a national gift. At least we know about this gift unlike Jammeh who never declared anything.
5. On the issue of the unfortunate loss of lives at the stadium see this letter “Open Letter To Interior Minister Mai Ahmad Fatty” by Sulayman Jeng and my comments.
6. If Barrow’s wife goes to Dakar so what? I bet it is still cheaper than Zainab’s weekly allowance in the Gambia not to mention what it costs the Gambia to support Zainab’s globe trotting shopping addiction.
7. I have told you before that D200,000 salary was done by Yahya not Barrow. The president’s salary is prescribed by an act of parliament and Barrow has not passed and bill in parliament yet regarding his salary. Read section 68 subsection 1 to understand the issue a bit better.
8. Do you have any proof than he has “dished” out money to Senegalese marabouts and also that the money is Gambia government money. I will be very surprised if the current finance minister will compromise himself that much to give Barrow money from state coffers to “dish” to marabouts. You must be dreaming that we are still in Jammeh’s era. Because all that you mentioned above perfectly described only one person and that is Yahya Jammeh the perverse sadistic psychopathic killer you call your hero.
Babu, this link below will open up Gambia’s Budget 2015. Take a look at the amount of money allocated to state house compared to Health, Agriculture, Defense, Interior and other departments
http://statehouse.gov.gm/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/budget_2015.pdf