BY STAFF WRITER AKALEKE
F
ollowing the purported foiled coup , which hit the country, economic activities had been put to total halt as business men across the country, have decided to shut down their shops for security reasons. Many market vendors left the Capital City Banjul and vowed not to return to work in the next two weeks. This came in the wake of mass arrest of top military officers and the civilian community who were accused of trying to over throw the government of President Yahya Jammeh.
The recent arrest of civilians sparked more speculations across the country here that there was growing mistrust within the army.
Top former security chiefs, such as Samba Bah, former National Intelligent Agency boss, Daba Marenah and others were detained by the authorities. Sacked KMC Mayor Abdoulie Conteh was also in police nets.
Some people who spoke to this paper expressed fear about the growing insecurity in the country. Kebba Faye of Bakau kachikally remarked “it came as a surprise to me to hear that these people have been arrested in connection to this coup and I am definitely afraid of further military activities. Since on Tuesday, I last to go to Banjul because my family especially my parents would prefer I stay at
home. But I am lucky that I worked in Serekunda.”
There is still heavy military presence at Denton bridge and in the Capital Banjul. The security forces have intensified patrols in the area. Since the return of the President, he has not make any public appearance on TV and he is yet to comment on the alleged coup, which the government claimed was aimed at topping the ruling APRC administration.
Further sounding the opinions of Gambians on the foiled coup, our reporter interviewed Mariama Ceesay of Bundung who said “We just have to pray to God that we are safe from any trouble, because we Gambians don’t know what a gun is. I ‘m afraid that some soldiers may be angry and may consider taking action which is another problem.”
Touring down town Banjul, many local shops were closed earlier before the scheduled closure time. This they say, was due to the heavy security presence in the city and across the country. Alieu Bah, a market vendor at the Banjul market told the Freedom Newspaper that people traveling to Banjul were doing it at their own risk, citing the ailing security situation in the tiny West African country.
“We are just going to Banjul, but it is really not very safe but there is no way out because if we don’t go we will not eat and our families as well. Now I have to close earlier, because my normal closing time was 8:00pm, but now I close at 6:00pm.” said Mr. Bah.
Observers say the alleged coup plot might have an adverse effect on the country’s already fragile economy.