The outspoken Foni Jarrol representative of the National Assembly Hon. Kebba Toumanding Sanneh has said a window of opportunity for negotiation between the Gambia government and former president Yahya Jammeh over the former Gambian strongman’s “return” still exists.
The Foni Jarrol member of Parliament made this utterance in response to a question posed to him by JollofNews as to whether it’s not more prudent and necessary for the former Gambian leader to think again about his announced return this month due to its possible national security ramifications.
According to Hon. Sanneh, Jammeh is a reasonable man and a patriot, who may be receptive to negotiation if the right channels are explored.
“Let me tell you one thing and that is that those who said Jammeh will be arrested at the airport if he comes would not be there on the day of Jammeh’s return. Conversely, those wishing to welcome him at the airport will not go if the government issues an order against it. So, the best option is to talk and walk the peace,” he explained.
Hon. Sanneh opined that the government of President Adama Barrow could seek the intercession of the President of Equatorial Guinea, continental and world bodies, among others, to negotiate Jammeh’s return from exile.
“The government can use its influence to negotiate with Jammeh because threatening him with arrest and other stuff may force him to come even if he later decides against it,” he added.
According to legislator Sanneh, who is also a staunch defender of Jammeh’s record in office, the government of President Barrow has offended Jammeh and violated his rights in many ways.
“The insider trading of Jammeh’s assets at giveaway prices is not only unacceptable but a naked violation of Jammeh’s right to own properties. It’s my conviction that all those that bought Jammeh’s assets should be criminally liable for receiving stolen property,” said Sanneh, who is also a key figure in Jammeh’s APRC.
Sanneh said, without providing any evidence, that the Barrow administration confiscated Jammeh’s plot of land in Farato, measuring 40 × 40 to construct a hospital there.
“This is a land that he[Jammeh]acquired a long time ago. So, you want to tell me that Jammeh cannot legally have any asset to his name? That cannot be true for someone who has served his country since 1984 and was a president for 22 years,” argued NAM Sanneh, adding,”Even directors of government departments and agencies have built multi-million dalasi structures. The Brusubi area is a classical example as most of the big houses you see there were not built by “Semesters” [Gambians in the Western hemisphere]. They were built by Gambians, working for the government.”
The fiery Foni Jarrol MP asserted that “the broad daylight usurpation” of Jammeh’s APRC is another violation of the former president’s right.
“Let Fabakary hand back the APRC to Jammeh and form his own party,”Sanneh told JollofNews.
To Sanneh, Jammeh has more reasons than one to be disappointed in the Barrow administration.
“The agreement was that he [Jammeh] would return from exile after six months, but this was also violated. So, the best alternative here is to use influential figures and reputable organizations to renegotiate Jammeh’s return. We still have more than 10 days to go before the end of the month,” Sanneh explained.
He pointed out that no one should be under any illusion that Jammeh cannot return to The Gambia.
“He has not been barred from entering The Gambia by any competent court of law. Also, there is no shred of evidence to show that he’s culpable of the atrocities revealed at the TRRC. Unless proven guilty, Jammeh should be allowed to enjoy the benefit of presumption of innocence,” he pointed out.
Hon. Sanneh also pointed out that every Gambian has a stake in safe-guarding peace and national security at all times.
“No patriotic Gambian would want to see this country descend into anarchy as we’ve seen other countries,” he stressed.
