Former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has categorically denied recent claims, circulating on social media and political chat groups suggesting he had plans to move The Gambia’s capital from Banjul to Sanyang in Western Gambia.
Jammeh emphatically dismissed the claims as false and baseless, attributing them to individuals he says no longer represent his party or his views.
“I want to make it categorically clear that this thing that is circulating is not true. It’s not my plan, and I have never shown such plans,” Jammeh said. “I don’t tell people my plans in advance until I have something confirmed. I have never told anybody, and I have never had the intention to move the capital from Banjul to Sanyang.”
The former Gambian dictator pointed to a recent online forum as the origin of the claims which, he alleges, were fuelled by a former party member who has since been expelled.
“This is from the forum you can find out for yourself. The person spreading this is someone who is no longer part of the party,” he added.
Mr Jammeh referenced a series of audio recordings and alleged “plans” discussed in the forum by Yahya Tamba, a former associate. According to the former president, none of what was said reflects his ideas or intentions. “Each plan Yahya Tamba was explaining has nothing to do with me. It is a lie,” Jammeh insisted.
He also denied ever discussing development plans with Mr. Tamba, stating: “Whether I have a plan to develop the country and show it to Mr. Tamba, no. It is not true.”
He called on the public to disregard the claims and reiterated that he had no intention of moving the capital. “Let the whole country know that I have never had plans of transferring the capital city from Banjul to anywhere else. Let it be very clear.”
The former Gambian strongman concluded his audio address by saying: “APRC and the Gambian people, my people whether APRC or not I love you all.”
