(JollofNews) – The embattled leader of Gambia’s Police force has tendered his resignation in the wake of Monday’s shooting of unarmed protesters in Faraba Banta village.
Landing Kinteh who was appointed to the job in June last year has been under intense pressure to step aside and allow thorough and independent investigation into the deadly incident.
Mr Kinteh’s deputy Alahagie Mamour Jobe will now oversee the vacant post until a new IGP is appointed.
At least three people have died after armed officers of the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) discharged live ammunition on a crowd of villagers, who were protesting against the mining of sand in their village.
Shortly after the incident, IGP Kinteh in attempt to exonerate himself issued a media statement in which he denied giving the officers orders to shoot at the villagers.
Five police officers including two superintendents have been arrested in connection with the killings.
IGP Kinteh is the first head of Gambia’s police in the new administration of President Adama Barrow. He succeeded Jammeh-era IGP Yankuba Sonko.
Prior to his appointment, Kinteh served with the African Union and United Nations hybrid peacekeeping mission in the restive Sudanese region of Darfur.
He reportedly left his lucrative UN contract and return to The Gambia with the intention of professionalising and improving the image of the country’s police.
A master’s degree holder in law from Dan Fodio University in Nigeria, Kinteh served as police prosecutor for several years.
Is the interior minister waiting to be told what the right thing to do is or is he waiting to be shown the door?
Resignation is not an absolvation of responsibility here. It’s just the acknowledgement that for the process of investigation to be free and fair, those who might be culpable need to stand aside, neutrally. No badge of honor there.
This is the only outcome in this situation. Charity begins at home. We can only morally defend the prosecution of NIA 9 when we equally demand that the relatives of Faraba victims get the same justice we are seeking for SOLO Sandeng.
IGP’s resignation is the first step in this endeavour. The resignation of Interior Minister Mballow and prosecution of the already held trigger-happy police officers are the next steps!
We must all demand consequences for this senseless violence on civilians!
Indeed Mwalimu, there’s no badge of honor to claim here.
I’ve been worried from the date of appointment that this Sonko fellow isn’t Inspector General material.
A stint in Dafur or a police prosecutor doesn’t nearly meet the credentials required to head a national police force in an adhocracy that is The Gambia!
A good educational standing is a good start but what we need in The Gambia to head institutions are well grounded people with a sense of purpose, decency and the proper perspectives.
Mwalimu, look at what Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang, Luntango’s mommy, had to offer in a nationally televised interview.
Where’s Luntango in all of this commentary on the bungling of the Faraba Banta nightmare?
IGP Kinteh is a good man in an untenable position. If it is true that he stepped down as he should. He will be another casualty of “war”.
He inherited an unprofessional police force, poorly trained with low morale. The ghost and legacy of Yahya Jammeh continues to impact our nation.
We have to build the new Gambia security apparatus in our image.
It is now obvious that Mr Barrow needs help to rebuild our armed forces. Our nation needs new direction, new leadership in the training doctrine of our men and women in uniform.
I see this unfortunate deaths as a piece of a large security problem facing our country. Yes the spark was dissatisfaction and anger by the villagers towards a perceived threat to their livelihood and crops. The underbelly of this incident, our vulnerability as a country is insecurity (poorly trained, underpaid and unprofessional officers).
Mr Barrow must understand this, the country cannot thrive, indeed will fail if the administration does not deal with our security issues. This starts with revamping the entire security force, removing the remnants of Yahya deplorables, recruiting intelligent young Gambians, training them well and helping them with professional development.
Andy with a frown on my face and all the depth my voice can muster, I say: Dida has taken cover from the bullets. He has been a proponent of – give them chance to prove themselves. And now this!
Andy have you read my open letter to Fatoumatta?
She seems to be on a mission to prove me right every single day.
IGP Kinteh, has GONE!
It’s wonderful news that he has quited. However, he should be brought before the laws for giving the widest and crudest cover/support to Julakay. He was DIRECTLY responsible for Julakay’s behaviour which was supported by stationing a PIU Unit in Faraba Banta to safeguard Julakay’s lone interest in spite of the National Assembly forewarning against the mining. That was before the initial fracass when the Faraba Banta youths were arrested and brought to the police gaols in Banjul. Those actions were Kinteh’s direct instructions to deliberately scare the villagers, misuse his authority and openly favour a friend’s interest from whom everyone believed he received a lucrative sum of bribe money.
His head should roll into the Mile 2 prisions.
Please listen to the Fatunetwork interviews with the Faraba Banta villagers. You will cry! Why so much use of force?
Dr Isatou Sarr, I respect your opinion but do not share it. Now former IGP Kinteh, was a cunning and shrewd fellow whose ulterior behaviour was always hard to unearth. It’s good that he has left. He was the Sallah(Press) Jagne type, a former IGP during the PPP regime who deploy police personnel on his Kombo Kassa Kunda farms to work for him but get paid from government coffers.
WE DON’T WANT CORRUPT and CORRUPTIBLE LEADERS!!!!
Our country will never progress with any form of corruptible behaviours.
Now that IGP Kinteh, has GONE!
Who should fill this position now and why?
Mwalimu, can you point me to your letter?
http://www.thegambiatimes.com/open-letter-to-the-vice-president-of-the-republic-of-the-gambia-fatoumata-tambajang/
Andy above is the link.
@Tilli Bo: the deputy inspector general of police should now be the one in charge until a suitable replacement is found.
I have no illusions that the next appointment might again be based on sentimental and or sectional considerations.
This is what had made this government loose its final thread of credibility under my eyes. The blantant nepotism, corruption and no regard for democratic principles of governance.
Employments and contracts are awarded to friends and nbadingolu, which in turn is seen as a political investment to continue to hoodwink the poor people.
@Andy again: your assessment of the character of Ousainou was too generous. Look, the disintegration of the coalition is what has brought us here. The splinter though was caused by none other than that fellow. He that wants to command traditional forms of elitism by behaving as if to be the head of state is his and only his birth right. Ousainou!
Mark my word this government will not last even the disputed three year term because of incompetence and the ever itching urge to self aggrandize.
Firing shots at Darboe for the Faraba incident is cheap. I think the conspiracy to put this incident at Darboe’s footsteps is just pure deception. He is not the relevant minister nor the governor of west coast.
The fact remains that the president, the interior minister and the IGP are the direct point of call for this incident. It is against this backdrop that IGP resigned. And rightly so.
Interior minister Mballow is likewise untenable and Barrow is adviced to concentrate on the urgent task of governing the country instead of wasting valuable time with barrow youth movement and aprc remnants aka Seedy Njie.
Then what was Ousainou doing in Faraba if he is only a minister who has no political stake in this incident? Ousainou has made no secret of the fact that he is the man of the moment and plays his political ball game with the same candour.
Have you forgotten the song:………….lawyer Darboe yee Bankoo taa? What about the utterance that he will sue Adama to court should he decide to be only three years in office. Recall Bansang when he said the people should reward UDP candidates with votes because he is the one who is bringing them development in health. Whose political operatives are employed into the various foreign missions of The Gambia? Didn’t he say these are political appointees who should help to further the agenda of the political party in office?
Why rise to his defence when we know Ousainou is not a builder of progressive links. He destroys for heavens sake.
These are the old jammeh accusations against Darboe and they won’t hold.
I just want that we stay with the facts of this incident in faraba. Quickly bringing the old lines of contempt for Darboe to fore and associating them with these incident, is bogus. Stay on the topic and as many other contributors, state the facts surrounding this incident. Mining community resources, land disputes, businessmen infiltrating the system, police officers accustomed to jammeh style heavyhandedness, conflict resolution inadequacy at the local level and the economic challenges facing the country.
It is people like you who are obsessed with Darboe and UDP, who are running around trying to divert Barrow’s attention from the real issues of his mandate, to the insignificances of plots to weaken the UDP. That is a recipe for disaster for the president and a waste of the countrie’s time and meagre resources.
Mwalimu.
Excellent open letter to the VP.
Keep the fire burning.
Babu, yes the guy is a shrewd fellow. Or at least looks like one.
Think about this Babu. A Kinteh as IGP and another Kinteh as CDS?
It doesn’t matter that they all don’t come from Kinteh Kunda, Marong Kunda, Janneh Yaa. Nna Yaa trumps it all! Achtung Barrow!!
A recipe for ???
Last year, the whole Muslim section of the cabinet flew to Saudi Arabia for Umra. Again this year, Adama flew to the same destination with a sizable delegation for the same reason. Last year, the expenses to the “privileged cabinet” was allegedly paid for by the Saudi government.
The question I asked the. was whether THEY have deducted the number of days spent in Arabia from their annual leaves.
Am sure the days spent in Saudi Arabia could have better been utilized on a meeting of cabinet with experts to strategize for a security sector reform bill to be presented to the NA. But no, they are were eager to be called Alhagie and Ajaratu!
Readers, Jollofnews 21st June 2018
Another Faraba Banta-like turmoil is brewing in Baddibu Njaba Kunda. Today, the youths had very tense arguments with the Farafenni PIU on issues related to the Seyfo and some elders.
I don’t like this very bad administration, but I would always want to see a very PEACEFUL Gambia. The bad administration should not wait for matters to “rot” before coming up with late decisions. The police are law enforcement agents not decision makers. On several occasions, the decision makers refrain from appearing on “hot spots” to discuss/negotiate or simply talk to the people. They leave such matters to the police whose lack of good administration abilities/skills makes them fail in their efforts and eventually resort to brutal force.
The VERY BAD administration started very BADLY. I reiterated it on several occasions, but my detractors don’t understand. The very bad Barrow administration is not serious with the youth problem/predicament (unemployment, deportation, lack of access to loans/credits, district-level youth training programmes/schemes, involvement in political training schemes–NOT on party affiliations etc, etc….)
Because they have started with illicitly filling their pockets, sending their children to excellent institutions abroad, dishing out money, allowing friends/buddies to enrich themselves…..while the poor Gambian youth hopelessly look on, ugly scenes are gradually croppin up/brewing. This is NOT Allah-given endowment, this is deliberate cheating. The youth know this but lack the will and impetus to raise their voices. So they will seize chances with any social turmoil to angrily express their discomfort that would one day bring the downfall of this BAD/INEPT administration. Their GREEDY/SELFISH advisers don’t care.
It is not a prediction, the signs of poor administration, bad decisions and unviable programmes would get us there. I only hope on a very PEACEFUL way!!!!
Listen to Henry Gomez, Minister of Youth in an interview and get utterly disappointed. Minister Gomez said he’s in his office waiting for the youth to come and explain their problems to him. What a government without programmes!
@Kemo: I share your view that Adama should focus at the task at hand than politicking for an uncertain political future. He seems to be reaching for too much for now.
He is clearly aiming for his own political base. Translation: he is going to form a political party. Full stop.
And that, is the nightmare for UDP militants and supporters. They fear Adama using the state resources at his disposal and his incumbency to launch a splinter political party from the UDP.
That fear is justified. So Adama has to be attacked for that singular “treachery”. But what about the his other misbehaviors? Such as the pick up trucks that many claim to be donations from the president when in fact they were illigal gifts? How about firing Mai without telling Gambians why? And the electrification of his village allegedly by a US musician?
The picture am trying to paint for you is this: You can’t pick and choose parts of Adama. He comes in a sealed packet.
@Kemo: Yaya never said the things about Ousainou that am saying. So why bring his name to this conversation? I think you are just dodging the truth by trying to look for a scapegoat in Yaya. Typical UDP discourse strategy.
————————————-
Second, you have to learn that the Faraba massacre was part and parcel of a bigger political problem than the stand alone sectors, departments and branches you mentioned. That political problem has at its core the problem of leadership.
So am looking at the whole.
———————————-
Am not trying to weaken the your UDP. The UDP is weak in content and context vis-a-vis understanding the problems of the Gambian masses and coming up with intelligent alternative solutions to ameliorate their suffering. So I can’t be obsessed with such an unadmirable entity.
—————————-
Back to Faraba Banta and its wailing mothers and fathers. Why did they chase Ousainou out?
There is no credible evidence or tangible video/audio materials, to prove that Darboe was chased out of Faraba. If the youths, in their hour of extreme pain as results of their fellows senseless death, react in any way to Darboe’s visit, is understandable to me and probably to darboe himself. We are talking about 2 deaths at the time of Darboe’s visit. It is also a show of humility that Darboe didnt make a drama out of all these unsubstantiated claims that he was chastised out of faraba.
In the age of social media, I very much doubt this claim without any video materials to support it. Knowing very well that people like you would waste no time disseminating it.
Thank you for the time. I am not going to continue engaging on a side issue wholly pass the mark! Topic Faraba victims!
Kinteh (Kemo), the Faraba incident, like the many others around the country, cannot be isolated from the country’s clueless leadership and Mr Ousainou Darboe, being a senior Cabinet Minister (and the de facto President in the eyes of many) is very much part of that leadership failure. The issues Mwalimu is raising are NOT side issues. These are the real issues confronting the nation and the seeming indifference and/or inability of the administration to address the concerns of the people is the result of these mass actions.
We can talk about the Faraba issue but we must acknowledge that it is only a consequence of what Mwalimu is talking about.
Kemo do you realize that you’re just babbling in circles. If you and Ousainou can understand and at the same time sympathize with the youth of Faraba for accosting Ousainou , why deny it twice?
How about eyewitness accounts of Ousainou’s unfortunate showman visit to Faraba. Believe it or don’t believe it, it has happened. What a miscalculation on his part!
Kemo am used to having UDP militants taking on to their heels when they can’t handle constructive debates and criticism. You are not the first and you won’t probably be the last on that score. That’s because the leadership of that party is not out to liberate the Gambian masses from their economic woes and chronic underdevelopment. The united Democratic Party’s brand of politics has no difference to that of the PPP, NCP, UP, PDP ETC.
What does these parties have in common?
Are you ready for your free lesson of political history and the contemporary political realities of The Gambia or do you still want us to meet in Faraba for the heads of the IGP and the minister of interior, ironically speaking.
NB: it’s no show of humility on Ousainou’s part not to make any drama. It was his only option. He could have been injured at the scene if he will be foolish enough to grandstand or even loose his life.
After he has escaped the danger zone through the help of people, what could the drama then be about? A soliloquy?
———————————
You have repeated people like you in addressing me in both of your posts.
I put that on as an accolade.
Now back to Faraba Banta once again and it’s suffering community.
Babu soli fantastic solutions but who will fund that when our government since jawara to date are relying on foreign aids,Gambia has no natural resources where we can rely on and lay different directions developments ,I told you since I don’t believe in insults ,neither no killing and corrupt practices, let’s help each other to come out this mess ,we not secured and financially we are under 7th layer of the ground I don’t know how to call.i cant just hold my tears about the gambia.Finally plans can be laid when there are funds.thanks