Ebrima Dibba Versus Saihou Mballow

What Is Going On????

Ebrima Dibba, the self confessed Lamin Waa Juwara indoctrinated political student is very upset with Saihou Mballow, the erstwhile UDP Coordinator in New York City. Mr. Dibba’s “beef” with Saihou revolves around Mballow’s recent move to circulate his resignation letter to the press. He thinks this was uncalled for on the side of  a person he calls “my big brother” Saihou Mballow. Dibba is of the view that Mr. Mballow ought to have move on with his life without discussing his resignation with the press—given the fact that he Mballow resigned as UDP coordinator six months ago. He questions the rationale behind his move.

It was on Monday afternoon, when this Editor received a phone call from a ranting Mr. Dibba, lamenting about Saihou Mballow’s move to declassify a resignation letter that was meant for the UDP Executive to the Freedom Newspaper, and other media outlets. Dibba thought that Mballow was way out of the line by trying to announce his resignation to the mainstream media. This was no, no, no, to Dibba. He thinks Mballow should know better than that.

For legal, and ethical reasons, we refrained from being dragged into a “fight” between the two UDP comrades. But a furious Mr. Dibba, who lives in Washington Seattle assured us that he stood by his comments, and was ready to defend his utterances against Mr. Mballow at any court of law. The charges he filed against Mballow were “wild” and absurd so to speak. We dare print such allegations in a widely read paper like the  Freedom Newspaper.

Mr. Dibba constantly kept calling our offices demanding to be availed with the right to a rejoinder, and  we finally heeded  to his request, but on condition that Mr. Mballow must be contacted for his side of the story—in the interest of fair, balanced, and objective reporting.

After hearing Mr. Dibba’s side of the story, this Editor was caught in a sea of wilderness. Admittedly, Mr. Dibba is Pa Nderry’s “Dingndingo” junior brother. Like Dibba, Mr. M’Bai too is Saihou’s personal friend, and brother in the struggle. It was a difficult situation so to speak. 

Contacted at his New York residence, Mr. Mballow was equally stunned by Mr. Dibba’s latest attacks on his person, after the charges were read out to him. Mr. Mballow threatens to institute legal action against Mr. Dibba if such a story is ever printed in the pages of the Freedom Newspaper. He even advised Mr. M’Bai to refrain from being dragged into a fight—which could land his paper as a "second defendant" in court, if he Mballow chooses to pursue libel, and defamation suit against his accuser Ebrima Dibba.

Mr. Mballow was concerned about the reaction of the “enemies” of the struggle, if he resorts to suing Ebrima Dibba, and the Freedom Newspaper. He made it categorically clear that he has no intension of “derailing” the efforts of the Freedom Newspaper, a paper he describes as a champion in advocating for a just, and free Gambia. He said the Freedom Newspaper has been on the forefront in providing timely, accurate, and objective news to Gambians, and friends of The Gambia. 

Mr. M’Bai assured Mballow that his paper is not interested in publishing unsubstantiated allegations against persons, but it is  committed to reporting the truth, and nothing but the truth.  He advised both Mballow, and Dibba to reach a compromise on this seemingly mistrust between them.  Editor M’Bai said he does not want the APRC folks to laugh at the UDP—which should work on putting its house  in order to avoid disintegration within the party.

Mr. M’Bai also made it known to Mballow that his paper is not afraid to be sued, and would always live by its Mission Statement—that the truth is biggest defense to any libel, or defamation case.  We ended the conversation by bidding each other good night.

At this time, Ebrima Dibba was still pushing to have his story published. After he was informed that this paper would not publish the story without a written signed copy from him, Dibba became frustrated. He asked if our editor could record his voice which he could use in court as defense, but the editor asked to be given time to get back to Mr. Dibba on this.

An outraged Mr. Dibba, then asked if this editor could provide him with Ebrima Sankareh’s phone number, the Publisher of The Gambia Echo, to relay the story to him since the Freedom Newspaper is refusing to grant him audience, but his request was turned down.  We do not provide people’s contact information without their prior consent.

Come Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Dibba came back to his senses.  He said he accepted Mr. M’Bai’s  advice as a brother to resolve the matter amicably outside the media.  This was a commendable move on the side of Mr. Dibba. He even assured us that he (Dibba)has no problem joining a conference call with Mballow to discuss the issue. But Mballow had earlier objected to such phone conversation for fear of being cursed by Dibba, but he was assured by this Editor that there wouldn’t be any cursing from Dibba.

The negotiations continued. I need Haruna Darboe, Karamba Touray, Wassa Janneh, Pa Saikou Kujabi, Mboge, Yanks Darboe, Suntou Touray, and the other UDP militants to help bring peace between Saihou Mballow, and Ebrima Dibba. The Freedom Newspaper does not want to see a division within the UDP. You get that!!!!