No Western Power Can Depose My Gov’t- President Jammeh Tells His Supporters

As Visiting Diaspora Gambians staged a Demonstration Condemning the Online Media

By Staff Writer Bakary Gibba, Banjul

A confident looking Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh said no Western power can overthrow his Government, insisting that if the West had the means of unseating him, they would have done so since July of 1994, when he successfully toppled the 30 years PPP rule.  Addressing key Government functionaries-including Diaspora Gambians, who embarked on a loyalty  march during the weekend in the capital city Banjul, the controversial Gambian leader called on service chiefs, and other security agencies in the country to rally behind his Government. Jammeh said his administration is currently under firm footing, and therefore no Western power, or dissidents can topple him. The Gambian leader,  who was applauded by the excited crowd, bragged that his Government is here to stay, and is committed to fulfilling his set agenda for The Gambia.

A sizable crowd of so called Diaspora Gambians, headed by Pa Modou Mbowe, a Gambian resident in the United Kingdom had earlier thronged the streets of  Serre Kunda, and Banjul manifesting their loyalty to the President, and the Ruling APRC. The loyalty march attracted the presence of service chiefs, and members of the Civil Society.

Upon their arrival in Banjul, the demonstrators were received by the President Yahya Jammeh, who spoke tough against  the West, including foreign dissidents, who he accused of trying to destabilize The Gambia.  Jammeh never named names of Western countries trying unseat his administration, but he repeatedly kept on directing accusing fingers against them.

According to The Gambian leader, who is believed to be mentally challenged  “now that The Gambia, has been endowed with natural resources-such as oil, petroleum, and gold, the West is developing interest into the impoverished West African country. Jammeh charged that the West is preoccupied with  trying to destabilize nations such as The Gambia, but he insists that they will fail in their  endeavors. Jammeh said he doesn’t  care about the West, and nothing will deter him from achieving his vision for The Gambia, and her people.

           Diaspora Gambian Demonstrators Praised

Mr. Jammeh hailed the loyalty march organized by the visiting Diaspora Gambians.  He describes Mr. Mbowe and his group as “ patriotic” citizens of The Gambia. Jammeh said all meaningful, and progressive Gambians should emulate the demonstrators. He assured his audience that he will continue to live up to expectations.

                    Elections

Jammeh said he will continue to conduct elections by formality, adding that there is no opposition in place in The Gambia that could dislodge him from power.  He said if he Jammeh decides to scrap the election provision from  the constitution, it  would give license to the West to brand him as a dictator. As such he went on, “ I decided to organize elections just for formality.  We are here to stay-whether they like it or not. There is no opposition which can unseat me from power,” Jammeh claimed.

Mr. Jammeh’s pronouncement ended speculations that he is trying to introduce one party state in The Gambia. He told his supporters that in the next ten years to come, The Gambia would be compared with Dubai.  He adds that in 1994,  he stood aloof,  and promised that he will make The Gambia a city state-knowing at the time that the “West and America are not in support of his regime."

Jammeh said despite the Western sanctions against his regime, he was able to pioneer numerous developmental projects. He says the AFPRC/APRC rule was far better than the three hundred years of British rule. Jammeh accuses the British of neglecting the country.

        Discrimination During the PPP Rule

Jammeh said the 30 years PPP rule was marred by nepotism, corruption, and discrimination. Mr. Jammeh recalled his primary school days. He said as a student from a poor background, he emerged second throughout the country, when he sat for the Common Entrance Examination.  Jammeh said he had experienced firsthand discrimination, when he tried to get enrolled at  The Gambia High School. He claimed that his seat was sold at The Gambia High School, despite numerous efforts to be admitted at the school.

Jammeh said passing a national exam  does not guarantee one’s admission into high school during the First Republic.  He said during their time, there were only four high schools in the country.  He said underprivileged students like himself were made to suffer for nothing.  He says even though he met all the standards to be admitted at The Gambia High School,  he was denied admission. He says thanks to the intervention of certain unnamed individuals, he was enrolled into the school.

                       Sheriff Dibba

Jammeh  reminded his audience about the 2001 elections, in which he said he saw the late Sheriff Dibba insulting him on national TV. He said Dibba was very hostile to his regime, even though he Jammeh decided to welcome him in his Government. He said Dibba’s attacks against his person, and the APRC were not justified at all. He said he had to send a delegation to Dibba to inform him that the good roads he Dibba drives on to Baddibu were built by the APRC.  Jammeh said despite the opposition his Government faced in the Baddibus,  he was obliged as a Head of state to extend developmental structures in that region of the country.