Bombshell: Jammeh Recalls All Financial Attaches Gambian Missions Overseas

…Lamin Sanyang Is Considering Not To Return Home-Sources said

In a rather swift move, Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh has recalled all Financial Attaches,  posted in Gambian Missions overseas, the Freedom Newspaper can authoritatively report.  Quoting the content of the letter of recall,  which was sent to Diplomat Lamin Sanyang, our well trusted source in the heart of Jammeh administration said the President, through the Foreign Ministry, has  instructed all Financial attaches, who had three years service with Government to return home with effect from December 31^st 2009- one day before the new year. No reason was advanced for the Presidential directive-amidst speculations that heads are bound to roll in the Foreign office.

Diplomat Lamin Sanyang, who was recently fired, only to be rehired, following a passionate plea he made to the President for having wronged him, might as well start looking for a job, as all indications suggest that he has been dismissed.  Sources close to the disgraced Washington DC Financial attaché said Mr. Sanyang has spoken about his intensions of not returning home for personal reasons. Although, he has not officially communicated his intentions to the authorities in Banjul.

The President Yahya Jammeh is reported to have lost faith in The Gambian Mission in DC, and elsewhere overseas. He is contemplating firing the entire Embassy, and replacing them with a new crop of seasoned diplomats, sources here said.

A Foreign office insider intimated that the Executive directive came as a surprise to his colleagues, as many were taken aback by the President’s move to recall them. The insider said they received a phone call from the Financial attaché in Taiwan, who pleaded to be given time to complete his studies, which is due to be completed sometime in January. But his pleas fell into a deaf ears, as the relevant authorities informed him the decision emanated from the “top”-meaning the President.

It is not clear if the recalled officials might face any criminal charges, but sources said there have been lack of accountability in Gambian Missions overseas. For example, source said funds derived from visa fees are usually not accounted for. Embassy officials also falsified daily expenses, including rent, and other logistics. The Government is finding it difficult to sustain some of these embassies, said our source.

It could be recalled Lamin Sanyang was indicted by the state for corruption. He was accused of embezzling several thousands of dollars.  Thanks to the intervention of  his father Momodou Sanyang, who is the Director General of  GRTS, and other close confidants of the President, he was granted amnesty by the Head of state.

If Mr. Sanyang chose not return home, he might as well file a bogus  political asylum claiming persecution from the very Government he aided, and abetted over the years.  His best bet is to secure a job at a DC convenience store, where he might be playing hide, and seek game with the Immigration.  If caught, he might face possible deportation. 

Lamin Sanyang is married, and has a sizeable family here in the US. With the current recession, coupled with the rising unemployment, he is better off,  if he returns home, where he might be looked after by his father. Perhaps, Momodou Sanyang might not allow him and his family to starve to death. He has no political problem in The Gambia. If he opts to stay, and apply for asylum, a rude awakening awaits him.