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Breaking News:Bombshell Hits Jammeh's Cabinet-As Jammeh Dissloves Cabinet-VP Saidy Others affected!

In a surprising move this evening, Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh announced to dissolve his cabinet with immediate effect. From the Vice President Isatou Njie Saidy to the last Minister in his cabinet had their positions declared vacant pending the appointment of a new government.In a televised address, the Gambian leader acting on powers conferred on him by the constitution dissolved his cabinet. The President who won a third re-election is expected to name a new cabinet soon. Few days ago, the Freedom Newspaper reported about a growing uncertainty in Jammeh's cabinet, as state house leaks suggested that the Vice President and other Ministers were posed to be replaced by the Head of State.

Under the current state of affairs, the President is mandated to run a caretaker government pending the appointment of a new government,said our source. The Head of State who came to power through a coup is reported to have a list of new appointees whom he intends to name in days to come. Sources hinted that the President was mandated by the constitution to maintain or replace any Minister found to be unproductive. "There is a big panic here. Some of the SOS have started seeing some Marabouts seeking for prayers to be maintained by the President. Some had even invited Marabouts in their homes for prayers."said a family member of one of the Ministers who spoke to our reporter.

Meanwhile, it is gathered that Dr.Manneh former Finance And Economic Affairs Minister in the First Republic was among those to be appointed as a Minister by the President."Some surprising changes are coming. Many would be shocked if the President named his cabinet. Most of these Ministers including the VP are likely to go home. The last time I spoke to the President he told me that some heads will roll. He wants to bring confidence into his government. From what I observed, he is now listening to some of us. We know what necessitated the said action but will keep you informed in due course."said a close associate of the President.

Political observers predict a national unity government in Jammeh's new cabinet. Observers say there will be some new faces in the new cabinet. A national unity government they say would win the hearts and minds of many Gambians who lost faith into the system. Old guards such as Sedat Jobe are said to be struggling to make a comeback. Jobe was Gambia's Foreign Minister prior to his resignation some years ago.

The whole country is closely watching President Jammeh these days. His sudden cabinet dissolve came at a time when the country is heading for the legislative elections. A concerned Gambian who spoke to this paper said the Gambian leader needs to replace corrupt Ministers to bring confidence into his governmnet."The APRC is likely to suffer like the PPP government if the President don't take the necessary actions to clean his cabinet. We have seen Ministers owning fleets of cars, homes and business establishments in this country. Their wives are using their positions to engage in corrupt actitivites. At the end of the day Gambians will blame the President since he is head of this country." said the concerned Gambian.

The President is expected to be sworn in by the Chief Justice before he assumes his new five year mandate. This paper will keep you posted with developments.

The editor can be reached at the following addresses:editor@freedomnewspaper.com or panderry_mbai@yahoo.com If you know that it is happening or is about to happen please contact us. The Freedom Newspaper is your leading and most authoritative source of Gambian news. We have the required professionals to serve you round the clock. At Freedom, we mean business.

Posted on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 (Archive on Sunday, October 29, 2006)
Posted by PNMBAI Contributed by PNMBAI

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