Over the years questions have been lingering in the minds of Gambians regarding the citizenship of Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh. Jammeh, himself claimed that he was born and raised in The Gambia, despite skepticism raised about his citizenship. Critics say he and his parents migrated into the tiny West African country, during his tender age. That Jammeh, was born in the Southern Province of Cassamance.
His home village Kanilai, is few miles away from the Senegalese border. His parents are of Senegalese origin. A former rustler, Jammeh was one of those poor students in The Gambia, being fed by Christian Mission Schools. His first attempt to enroll into the then Gambia National Gendarmerie was not an easy one, as the defunct National Security Services (NSS) under the leadership of Kebba Ceesay , raises doubt about Jammeh’s citizenship. Jammeh, met the requirements at the time to join the military, but his citizenship credentials were strongly doubted.
The NSS dispatched a team of investigators to his home village of Kanilai to verify his status, but information volunteered by some of the local elders were not the least encouraging. They told the investigators that they just saw Jammeh in the village one fine morning after one of his parents resettled to the village from Casamance.
After facing series of background checks, Jammeh was asked to bring more proofs to authenticate his Gambian status. The young school leaver, who found it difficult to be absorbed into the Civil Service in those days, explained his plight to his host the late Pa Tamba, a respected elder in Latri-Kunda German. Pa Tamba contributed immensely in Yahya’s life. He used to host Yahya Jammeh and Sussan Waafa Ogoo, the longest serving civilian Minister under Jammeh’s rule. Frustrated by Jammeh’s plight, the old man advised Yahya to be patient and try other employment sectors in the country.
Jammeh, at the time has a special interest in joining the Gendarmerie. Thanks to the intervention of James Alkali Gaye, former Tourism Minister under the deposed PPP administration sources say ,Jammeh was finally considered for recruitment into the Gendarmerie. James Gaye, was in charge of Foni ward in those days.
Kebba Ceesay, a seasoned intelligence officer, was one of the first causalities of Jammeh’s military takeover. He was detained for several months and later accused of stealing government properties. Jammeh, at the time developed special grudge for a man, who questioned his citizenship during Jawara’s rule.
It was the same Kebba Ceesay, who advised Jawara, about the July 22 ND 1994 coup that was being spearheaded by Jammeh and others. The old man never heeded to intelligence advise to disarm the wild army on the day in question. The boys advanced to the capital on Friday, morning and took over the country. Look out for part two.