Gambia’s National Human Rights Commission has strongly condemned recent threats by one of President Adama Barrow’s advisers to shoot at pro-democracy activists should they dare embark on nationwide protest against the government.
3 Years Jot Nah, a recently formed group, is putting pressure on President Adama Barrow to respect his campaign promise and call fresh election in December 2019.
The group has vowed to launch peaceful protests in all parts of the country against the government should the president disregard a key part of the Memorandum of Understanding he signed in 2016 with other parties who united before the polls.
Seven opposition parties united behind Barrow in the run up to the polls, which enabled him to unseat long serving Yahya Jammeh who had ruled the Gambia for over two decades.
But despite his earlier promises to only serve for a three-year transition period after winning elections, the president has had a change of heart and has vowed to cling on to power until 2021.
And Henry Gomez, one of his senior advisers, is reported to have said during a political rally in Brikama, attended by the president, that would be demonstrators risk being shot at citing as warning April 10 and 11 of 2000 in which 14 Gambians were shot following demonstration by school children as reference to what can happen again.
The National Human Rights Commission said it condemns Mr Gomez’s remarks in the strongest possible terms and reminded the government that people have a right to freedom of expression, assembly and to demonstrate peacefully.
“These are fundamental rights guaranteed in our constitution and under regional and international treaties and conventions that we have ratified,” said Emmanuel Joseph Joof, chairman of the independent and permanent institution which is mandated to promote, monitor, investigate and protect human rights, as well as create a culture of human rights in the Gambia.
“The fact that people are demonstrating or wish to do so does not mean that they are riotous or that they are criminals. To threaten would be demonstrators with bullets is unbecoming of a presidential adviser and should be condemned in the strongest terms. Such language is not one which is or should be permitted in a democratic society.”
Another Fool in Gambia.
Today was a sad one. Hearing Alagie Martin was painful and nauseating.
That man, that Alagie Martin is a Brut, an immature low IQ human manure. An imbecile, “A Brig Gen” in GAF at tax payers expense.
An imbecile who has no shame, no remorse, no honor. He LIED about things big and small. Except for one statement. He said
“ Cruel and Unfortunate things happened in The Gambia” .
Yes you ought to know. You are a big part of that horrific legacy.
God Help Us.
Dr Sarr, Henry Gomez is a prime example of the unpolished folks that have found a voice in Gambian politics albeit that they shouldn’t be there in the first place.
It is sheer happenstance has enabled certain fellows, that have neither had any party following nor any leadership qualities to offer, to find a place on the podium in the midst of an uncouth rag tag grouping that’ll only bring The Gambia to its knees. The kind of persons that keep me shaking my head every time that they open their ugly mouths to utter what amounts to selfish, opportunistic, uncouth and ill informed statements like that of a senior security official touting the use of a water canon to “spray hot water” on would be protesters. Show me the boiler mechanism on that archaic, refurbished and painted over water tank from the days of Lawrence of Arabia! It’s all hot air and buffoonery! Especially when it’s coming from chief rat and his retinue!
I’d dare say to any official that to attempt to spray hot water on humans anywhere in this world would amount to signing one’s own prison sentence and death warrant. It doesn’t matter who the hell it is!!
And yes, I’m still lurking behind the shadows!
Brig Gen Alagie Martin is a disgrace to the GAF, to his family and country.
President Barrow must relieve him of his duties immediately. Failure to do so is a betrayal of All Gambians, especially those he murdered, tortured and their families.
We know bad things happened under Jammeh’s rule, but we are shocked at the revelations coming from these agents of the regime. (this is a natural reaction.)
Equally, those who demand retribution now could not be faulted for doing so, due to the level of cruelty these testimonies are revealing. Being shocked does not even begin to explain how some feel. It’s painful to sit through these sessions and listen to how one’s loved one(s) was violated by these “subhuman” beings.
Nonetheless, we chose the route to RECONCILIATION and no matter how difficult the reality is, we must work for RECONCILIATION, forgiveness and rehabilitation of victims and perpetrators alike. It is the best for our country at this moment.
The security sector reform will or should take care of tbe many “Alagie Martins”, who hold ranks they are Not qualified and trained to hold within the Gambia Armed Forces.