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Breaking News:Maba Jobe Fired-Balla Gaba Jahumpa And Sussan Waafa Ogoo Bounce Back!
Barely few hours after his appointment as Foreign Minister, Maba Jobe has been fired with immediate effect, the Freedom Newspaper can authoritatively reveal. Jobe who could hardly settles in office was replaced by Gaba Balla Jahumpa, a statement issued by the President's office announced today. Balla Jahumpa was earlier fired along side with three other government ministers including the Secretary General Mamburay Njie. In the same vein the President has appointed Sussan Waffa Ogoo as Trade Minister with effect from today, said the statement. Susan is one of Gambia's longest serving ministers under Jammeh's rule. For some unexplained reasons the president dropped her during his cabinet reshuffle. She now replaces Bai Taal who was handed with the marching orders recently. Both Sussan and Jahumpa were reappointed thanks to a protest action taken by some Banjulians who appealed for their reinstatement.

The Gambian President according to sources had finally yield to the appeal lodged by the concerned Banjulians to reinstate the sacked ministers. For Bai Taal, he seems to be unlucky, as the President was yet to make up his mind as to where to place him at this hour. Bai Taal is a blood brother of Saja Taal, the current Daily Observer Manging Director. Sources hinted that the President was still scouting for Gambians to fill the remaining cabinet seats. It is gathered that some people turned down the ministerial offer given to them.

Our Reporter Justice Sam recently reported that there was a big confusion in the ruling APRC following the sacking of Sussan, Balla and Bai Taal. According to our reporter the President was on the verging of considering the concerns raised by the concerned Banjulians over the sacking of the three. To the surprise of the nation, the President today announces to revoke the appointment of Maba Jobe, Gambia's most short lived Foreign Minister. Jobe received a terse letter announcing that the President had decided to relieve him from his new assignment. The President merely relied on the constitution to revoke the minister's appointment. Besides, no reason was advanced for Maba's removal.

Maba Jobe a former army officer also served as Gambia's Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It was during Mba's watch as Ambassador that the Gambian leader secretly diverted crude oil proceeds meant for the impoverished state into his personal use.The said oil gift was extended to the people of the Gambia by the administration of President Obasanjo. The said oil deal later landed into the Nigerian anti corruption commission. In 1996, also President Jammeh was alleged to have diverted crude oil proceeds amounting to several millions of dollars into a Swiss bank account. The said oil scandal extended to the Gambia by the late Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha was a subject of controversy in the Gambia. The main opposition United Democratic Party led by Human Rights lawyer Ousainou Darboe on numerous occasions lamented the government's failure to make the said deal known to our people. In that deal, one of the aggrieved parties a British based oil company Chantrils sued the Gambian government for breach of contract and loss of earnings. Chantrils later won its case against the Gambia.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports have it that the President was likely to appoint lawyer Ida Drammeh as the country's next Attorney General. Ida the daughter of late lawyer Abdoulie AM Drammeh has been seen in recent past at the AG Chambers. Many suspect that she was likely to replace sacked minister Tijan Hydara. Ida is one of Gambia's most enterprising female lawyers. Over the years she succeeded in representing big companies such as the Standard Chartered Bank and others as their attorney. It is gathered that some senior legal luminaries have turned down offers given to them by the President. Many lawyers appointed to the said position were fired in the past. The AG position is one of the hottest seats in Jammeh's cabinet. Lawyers who wants to operate within the dictates of the constitution often fall prey of Jammeh's heavy handedness. Close to ten lawyers have so far been fired from that hot seat.

Meanwhile, Edu Gomez has also been named as a possible appointee. Besides being an APRC supporter Edu, is seen around the President in many functions. As the situation appears, the position of Justice Minister has not been filled yet.

Posted on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 (Archive on Sunday, November 19, 2006)
Posted by PNMBAI Contributed by PNMBAI

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