British Entrepreneur Says The Gambia Is Unsafe For Investment Opportunities!!!

A British entrepreneur Michael Scales, is warning prospective investors from travelling to The Gambia, arguing that it is suicidal for any one to invest in a country, where human rights, and the rule of law are under constant attack. Scales in an interview with the Freedom Newspaper said The Gambia is a risky place for investment, and would not advise any investor to waste his resources, under a fragile political climate. He is not convinced that investors would be assured of their personal safety, and free market competition. Michael Scales also talked about the possibility of the GPU six journalists to be convicted by the High Court. Below is the full text of the interview. Please read on…

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Freedom Newspaper: What is your honest view about the GPU 6 defamation trial?

M.Scales: How honest would like me to be? Would brutally honest do ? The wrong persons are in the dock. Taking Gambian Law at its face value. To incite hatred leading to violence is a serious matter. To make threats to spill Gambian blood is a serious  criminal offence. To speak ill of the dead is a crime against humanity and Allah.....To demand loyalty with menaces to The Gambian National Army, is a bastardisation of the role of The Commander In Chief.

To deny liberty without Just cause and without charge, past 72 hours and to deny council's advice and contact with family...contravenes the rights contained within The Gambian constitution.

To fail to protect the rights of its citizens in Law and The tenants contained within the Gambian Constitution..is a gross dereliction of duty by those sworn to uphold and protect them. No man or woman is above The Law. Not even a President, that disrespects Human Rights or the Honorable dispensation of Justice as was given by The Independent Ecowas court of Abuja.

 Freedom Newspaper: Why should a mere press release from The GPU attract such a wild reaction from The State? What is the problem here?

M.Scales: The press release was admissible as in the public interest. It was a carefully worded statement giving a measured and fair reaction from The President of The GPU. It was not hidden and was done in the full light of day. No one was huddling in dark corners conspiring to do evil deeds or to mask its free passage towards its careful consideration. No one has denied its origin or its content.

The consideration and ruling of the joint UN/Ecowas court exonerating President Jammeh and his government from any wrong doing or complicity in the unlawful killing of Ghanaians and fellow citizens of West Africa to my mind gave Jammeh the impetus to reassert his standing and innocence. He now is attempting to pay back those who he sees as his enemies.

Sadly, Dear Sam Sarr who wouldn't say " boo to a goose " and Pap Saine the consummate professional, remain exposed to Jammeh's furore and are taking the heat for those here on the online media that have expressed little discipline and common sense in their unabated and concerted attack against this President.

Time and time again recently I have warned the online media of the possible consequences. You boys are safe here, but your colleagues were left exposed and vulnerable to Jammeh's revenge.

Freedom Newspaper: If you had the chance of meeting President Jammeh, what will you tell him?

M.Scales: For some reason my mind returns to The Second World War and "The Battle of the Bulge"

The German's launched a counter attack through the Ardennes and caught the Allies off guard. They surrounded the Belgian town of Bastiogne encircling the American infantry, who were almost out of food and ammunition. The gallant American Major in command was faced with an ultimatum of surrender or certain death.

Given that most of his men were suffering appalling injuries and hardly able to hold their weapons......The Majors' reply was concise, brief and straight to the point.

This response is what I would say to Jammeh....  NUTS !!!

Freedom Newspaper: What do you foresee from the said case?

M.Scales: Imprisonment for Sam Sarr and Pap Saine, of around 2 years with a heavy fine.

Bearing in mind Mr.Saines poor health....this could be equivalent to a death sentence.

Also Sam Sarr is no spring chicken. If he survives his health would probably be destroyed.

As for the other 4... the lady will probably go free.Jammeh is no coward and doesn't fight women. The other 3 maybe 6 months and a fine of 50,000 dalasis.

The question  mark remains over Ndey Tapeh Sosseh....I think she will never be able to return to The Gambia in Jammeh's lifetime.

The Gambian GPU have been routed.

However, this would be a very destabilizing influence over The Gambia. Those presently sitting on the fence would now have a reason to mobilize.

This is my fear.

Freedom Newspaper:  Do you think the presiding Judge will administer Justice in this matter?

M.Scales: He is damned if he convicts and damned if he doesn't. The Nigerian Bar Association is a lofty lot. Perhaps  the four Just men........ of Chenge, Fengbele, WoWo and Agim may become discharged into the eternal legal bliss if " Limbo"

Did I not say....." never under estimate Jammeh"  His setting of Nigerians against Gambians.... pours ridicule and scorn on those Nigerian Judges that gave Judgment against The Gambia over the plight of Chief Manneh.

Freedom Newspaper: The US Ambassador and The British High Commissioner have been keenly following developments in regards to the Journalists case. What do you make of this?

 M.Scales:  Their impotent. Their witnessing the growth of an angry Gambian with intelligence.

 { A formidable combination}    They should run home to Mama.

 Freedom Newspaper: Is The West anti APRC as Perceived by Jammeh?

M.Scales:  East, West, North, South.... broaden your horizons here.  The world treated  Jammeh as a leper when he took Gambia by force. The cat has long since jumped out of the bag.

Jammeh gives loyalty to those who gave him his crown.

Look at.... Cuba, Iran, Venezuela, Taiwan, Libya, Zimbabwe.

A fine collection of trouble makers ....What ?

I think Jammeh want to lead the AU and take them to  a United States of Africa.

Freedom Newspaper: Is The Gambia a safe place for investment under the current political climate?

M.Scales: No and it never has been.

Freedom Newspaper: Will you advise Western Investors to invest in The Gambia?

M.Scales: All those I introduced lost everything. The Gambia is "The Elephants graveyard" for those free western market capitalists. If your Lebanese.... or on Jammeh's preferential list..You can do very well.

Freedom Newspaper: Our readers have been asking about your political affiliations in The Gambia. Where do you belong? Are you an APRC supporter, or a sympathizer of the opposition?

M.Scales: I am not a politician. I am a humanitarian with a love for Gambian's especially the poor. For 3 years now I have played it straight down the middle. Hence the confused aspect of your question after all this time.

If Fatou Jaw Manneh wants to stand for President...she can count on my support. The rest can go and pick mint.

Freedom Newspaper: You have been complaining about your ailing health. How are you felling?

M.Scales:  As The Gambian say's...My doctors cannot tell me I am dying. Only Mighty Allah can do that.

 For the last 6 years The Gambian's have been well ahead in that prediction and game.

 I'll go when I'm ready. I'm a control freak....Laugh !!!!

 Freedom Newspaper: What are your hobbies?

M.Scales:  Bashing the Gambian online media and playing with Jammeh's mind. He owes me.

Freedom Newspaper: You recently commented on President Jammeh's threat of him spilling blood in The Gambia. What makes you worried?

M.Scales:I have said " Never underestimate Jammeh....let me expand that.

Never underestimate  Gambian's. They have limits.

 Freedom Newspaper: What do you say to your critics who say you shouldn’t  meddle into  Gambia's politics.

M.Scales: I am the only credible opposition.