JAMMEH IS CORRUPTION—AMBASSADOR SEY

Former Gambian Ambassador to the United States Essa Bokarr Sey has been explaining the culture of corruption in Jammeh’s Government, and other social vices hampering national development in the impoverished West African country. In his weekend Freedom Radio show, Mr. Sey said there is institutionalized corruption in Jammeh’s regime—which is increasingly becoming isolated by the international community due to its ailing rights record. The former Ambassador said the Jammeh Government is not accountable to its citizens. He also talked about the culture of tyranny in the West African nation. To listen to the audio report, please click this link:

Audio Link http://www.box.net/shared/h750egpg0j   

Having served as Gambia’s Ambassador to Washington, France, and Taiwan, Mr. Sey is familiar with Governance, diplomacy, and conflict resolution in Africa. Ambassador Sey said Mr. Jammeh has transformed The Gambia into his personal property. He says there is no semblance of accountability, transparency, and probity in Jammeh’s regime. He said what is happening in The Gambia, under Jammeh’s watch is a daylight robbery of the country’s treasury by corrupt public officials—including the Head of state Yahya Jammeh.

According to Ambassador Sey, the Vice President is equally guilty of corruption, and abuse of office. He said the VP has been virtually reduced to a petty thief who is being used by President Jammeh to rob the country. He cites the ongoing Kanilai festival, in which the VP received thousands of dalasi on behalf of the President. Mr. Sey said it is not the duty of the VP to receive monies on behalf of the Government, and that all monies extended to the festival should pass through proper channels.

Regarding the recent move taken by the Jammeh Government to set up an online news portal, Mr, Sey said this is a welcomed development—saying it is long overdue.  He said any responsible Government should create an online portal to highlight its policies, programs, and other stories of public interest pertaining the country. He said what is bad is to use such portals for propaganda purposes. He said the Government should be provided truthful and factual information about The Gambia without any prejudice.

Mr. Sey also talked about VP Njie Saidy’s recent remarks accusing unnamed “news sites” of undermining the reputation of the country with their unfounded reports about the country. Ambassador Sey said it is irresponsible on the side of the Vice President to make such blatant statement without justification.

Hailing the efforts of Gambia’s exiled online media, Ambassador Sey said the country’s online media are doing a fantastic job when it comes to the dissemination of accurate, factual, and reliable information about The Gambia and across the African region.

Mr. Sey said the VP, and her boss President Jammeh have long been living in denial about the powerfulness of the online media, but recent events suggest that the administration is now reconciling with the realities of the effectiveness, and reliability of the Internet as a major source of information. He said the success stories recorded by Gambia’s online media cannot be erased by the likes of the VP—whose criticism of the private press was premised on ignorance, and dishonesty.

Audio Link http://www.box.net/shared/h750egpg0j