President Adama Barrow of the Gambia has expressed regrets at Monday’s attack on members of the former ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reconstruction and Construction (APRC) by youths of his village.
The APRC members who are on a tour of the country ahead of April’s local government elections were ambushed by youths of Mankamankunda, the home village of President Adama Barrow, who pelted them with missiles.
One member, Muhammed Badjie, 40, from Farato, sustained serious injuries and is currently admitted at the Bansang hospital in the Central River Region (CRR).
Two female members, Rohey Jammeh of Kanilai and Oumie Gibba of Tanjeh who sustained minor injuries were treated and discharged.
Although the matter was reported to the police, no one has been arrested or questioned.
But commenting on the incident, President Barrow expressed regret and called for an urgent investigation. He called on all Gambians to maintain the peace and stability that the country is known for.
“In the New Gambia, incidents of this nature in any part of the country, whether the birthplace of the president or any other place, is regrettable, as we are one people and one nation,” the president said.
He added: “In this spirit of one Gambia, people are encouraged and expected to go about their economic, social and political activities in a responsible and civil manner, as a sure way to jointly build a better and brighter Gambia for all.
“As a responsible government, the natural cause of action to take, as is expected, is to investigate into the incident so as to get to the bottom of it.”
Barrow is only shedding crocodile tears. We know such things will happen. But the APRC WILL PERSEVERE to reconquer the seat of government.
Why not probe into the death of Haruna Jatta by the Senegalese invading forces?
This is very sad and the authorities must act fast to nip this practice in the bud (in the new Gambia). Wish the injured a speedy recovery and hope those responsible will be identified and brought to justice, as soon as possible.
Indeed, a sad development for a great people of the very same community; divergence in opinion & diversity in general is natural & healthy in coexistence for improve communal advances collectively; which never needs any such acrimonious embroils, assaults &/ attacks physically beyond the usual political banters humorously politicking in clash of minds & ideas in vying for political mandates…
Everyone are entitled to own opinions & political beliefs equally without any hindrances whatsoever in every part of the land, whether one is resident in the area or not…
This is where the NCCE (CIVIC Education Council) becomes sacrosanct & vitally relevant & useful for the much needed educative appraisals the country badly needs, raising political awareness levels of the peasantry population in what democracy is all about…
I read somewhere, where an NCCE official lamented on quote about their current incapacitating in lack of acceptable resources requirements & allocation currently in execution of their constitutional mandate, to educate the country on civic grounds to eleminate such & others from happening into extinction; how on earth could the NCCE be expected to function effectively & make such heinous & other political crimes things of the past, with ‘only one functioning vehicle currently’ is beyond comprehensible?….
The transition government should know Gambians are watching & must double up & prioritise the Necessity Areas (urgently as required) for our collective survival as a community together; only there & then can any other development aspects & any other progressions, can be able to be made; & stand any chances to Sustainability as envisaged…
God bless Gambia…
Bax and Bajaw,
Your comments as enlightened, democratic and non-partisan Gambians are indeed elucidating. But remember that you are dealing with a bunch of people; Barrow, Darboe, Omar Jallow, Hamat Bah and all the clique of surrogates at State House who are vengeful and covertly determined to revenge whatever they perceive as the past deeds.
There will be no political reconciliation as long as these people are in the administration.
I would advise the APRC NEVER to respond to provocations, insults, unlawful detentions, official reticence in responding to their lawful demands and be LAW ABIDING!
After all politics have many revolving faces.
That is a sad encounter. The police need to establish the facts surrounding the encounter. At the end of the day, innocent people should never be harmed unsolicited. We must ensure legality takes it course and anyone at fault brought to book irrespective of their political leanings.
The incident is political though but I don’t think it is ‘manipulative by design’ by those you point to here-in, Babu; you seem blind (madden with anger?) which mainly tend to influence your arguments, many a time, rather than (present proof) with evidence in principle…
The issue is realistically due to political awareness levels of the people which the Constitution mandate for the creation & responsibility of the NCCE for the sustenance of the development endeavours of the land…
The NCCE programmes need the provision for the maximum resources required, for the crucial Constitutional provision; hence there are no progressive development ever, neither a functional president, nor executive arms, legislative &/ any meaningful services whatsoever without peaceful coexistence of a State…
The police in particular should learn from this & other such incidents; to provide vigilant escorts on transit at the time, through the ‘politically sensitive corridors’, into the temporal foreseeable future; while the TV & state information services are utilised additionally, to sensitise the political awareness of the public for improving towards political tolerance, among all…
To Babu Soli, Bajaw, and Kinteh (Kemo), your comments and viewpoints are well thought through and stated. As for the one not mentioned or included in the thoughtful and mindful comments, the commentator needs to Simmer Down and Endeavor to be Rational and Mature in thought and words. Words Matter.