Gambians resident in US begin to speak! Freedom Editors set records straight

Lamin Tunkara,

Raleigh

Go ahead Pa!!! And please be intimidated not by anyone and succumb not to any pressure from “Camp Bajinka” whose interest is to portray the Major as a victim deserving a second chance and forgiveness. Report as you see it fit and fair and if that means enlightening us about our current and/or former gov’t officials picking up trash at MacDonald’s, please bring it on because we are ready to take. If Mr. Major made it his business on the streets of New York talking about how corrupt and evil, the APRC GOV’T and Jammeh was, people will be listening to him. But he must also be ready to answer calls as to what part he played during his service to that gov’t. Tell him that making the remarks he is making I don’t care wherever he is, comes with a price. And that means he will be scrutinized. Do not expect an easy ride.

It is anguishing or perhaps it is just me whenever these APRC guys get kicked out and here they come expecting people to believe their remorse over serving the APRC gov’t. It is an absurd and deceptive pattern and please someone tell these guys to save us their crocodile tears. And maybe the next person to try and make us believe that he regrets serving the APRC gov’t will be Yahya Jammeh himself. C’mon, it took Bajinka and his likes before him 7, 8, 9, or 10 years to realize what kind of gov’t they serve. The funny thing is that they never came to realize that view of all these past years they were serving, the years they were riding the big and comfy rides, but just when they got thrown out. Bajinka, I’m glad, is talking to people now- even the banal, and pleased that he is making his stay in US useful. Maybe this time he will recognize folks easily unlike when he was in his high profile status with a pompous claim of not knowing or recognizing the people he sat beside in school.

Editor's note: Thanks Mr.Tunkara for speaking your mind. The Freedom Newspaper is here for all Gambians, irrespective of one's creed , tribe, political affiliation or position. We refuse to be stooges for few self-centered individuals whose pre-occupation is to distort the truth. Any day the Freedom Newspaper departs from its Mission Statement, we can humbly state that this paper will cease operations. The general interest of Gambians overrides personal interest.

Having said that, we want to assure our dear readers, including your very self about our unflinching commitment to safeguard the reputation of this leading paper. We do not want to be seen as Bajinka's apologist or his enemy. Ours is to discharge a social responsibility which we are committed to do. We careless about how some naïve and cheap so-called apologists say behind our back. We are an independent newspaper, and would do everything possible to expose agents of persecution.

Whether the United States Government granted Banjinka asylum or not, our job is to faithfully report the news without any ill will. What's troubling is that the accused, Bajinka, has never bothered to tell Gambians his side of the story. One thing we know is that Bajinka will be the last person to speak out openly against Yahya Jammeh. Jammeh raised him from no where to the position of ADC. Thanks to Yahya Jammeh Bajinka was exposed to the developed world. He used to hold his dollar brief case for him. Not only that, Bajinka is a living witness to Jammeh's atrocities. Whether he participated in these atrocities perpetrated against our people or not, is a subject of investigation. Gambians need material proof to indict Bajinka. The decision of the INS officer who recommended his admission into this country can be revoked if the alleging parties are able to back up their allegations with facts and material evidence.

As we speak, the Gambia Government is also working at this hour to get Bajinka extradited. Their case is premised on matters bordering on state security. In that, Bajinka has been allegedly implicated in the March 2006 abortive coup.

It's rather premature or foolish for Bajinka's apologists to rejoice over his recently approved asylum. What these apologists fail to realize is that asylums are not permanent things and can be subject to review. His brother has worsened the situation by openly announcing Banjinka's asylum. He has nothing to gain by doing this. It would have been wiser for Seedou to leave skeptics live in suspicion than confirm Bajinka's asylum.

Now that it has been established that he is under the Protection of the US Government, parties working on Bajinka's extradition have a field day. We have seen Charles Taylor's self proclaimed son get his US Citizenship revoked, as he lied in his Immigration papers that Taylor was his born father. It was later realized that Taylor junior was lying. There was also this Cuban doctor who was helping Castro persecute his people and was residing in Texas. He too was kicked out after the Cuban asylees petitioned against him. Bajinka got to lie low, as there are people living in this country, who were either directly or indirectly affected by his alleged terror activities he carried out in the name of sustaining the dictatorship back home.

Of course, the Freedom Newspaper cannot be loved by these apologists because we have the daring mind to publish stories regarding Bajinka's past activities. A newspaper which worth its salt would refuse to work with agents of persecution. Decent journalists would always endeavour to highlight the plight of its people and not to aid and abet enemies of rreedom. It's better to shut down papers that act as public relations firms for agents of oppression. In that, such papers will never serve the common good. Their editorial line tend to favor the minority and not the general public.

We are able to achieve what we have achieved today because of our uncompromising principles. Gambia first before personal interest. We are not in the business of blowing our own trumpet. Fabricating stories just to impress few individuals would tantamount to doing disservice to one's profession and country.

The Freedom Newspaper is not scared to go to court with any party - be it the Government of The Gambia or its allies. The courts are there for everybody. We refuse to be intimidated by cyber criminals who are hell bent on undermining our well intended project for Gambians. This paper has gained grounds and there is no amount of hate or lies that can bring us down. We rely on God and nothing else. Come rain, come shine we are here to stay. Thanks for your attention.