“NO POLITICAL UPRISING WILL BE ALLOWED IN GAMBIA,” JAMMEH TELLS ELECTION CHAIRMAN

“UDP KILLED OUR SUPPORTER IN 2001; IF YOU DO NOT ACT, THE STATE WILL ACT, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.”

By Staff Reporter Momodou Jarju & Pa Nderry M’Bai

Author’s Email: panderrymbai@gmail.com

Tel: 919-749-6319

Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh said he will deal with opposition elements bent on trying to instigate political uprising ahead of the country’s 24 Presidential elections.

The President was speaking shortly after his nomination as the flag bearer for the ruling APRC party. Mr. Jammeh called out the main opposition United Democratic Party whom he accused of killing one of his party supporters in the run up to the country’s 2001 elections during a political violence  between his party’s supporters, and the UDP militants in Basse.  The incident left one Alieu Njie, an APRC supporter death. But the President in an uncompromising statement told the Chairman of the Electoral Commission  Mustapha Carrayol that his party will not condone violence in the coming polls.

“I want the IEC to make sure that this does not happen this time. We are not going to tolerate nonsense from anybody,” a fuming incumbent President Yahya Jammeh, who is bidding for fourth term  in office said.

Mr. Jammeh said opposition leader Ousainanou Darboe, and a handful of his supporters were charged in connection with the murder of Alieu Njie, but acting out of pressure the courts yielded to interventions made by the International Community to free the accused persons. But he warns that this time around anyone found to be instigating violence in the country will be dealt with mercilessly. 

Mr. Jammeh warns opposition elements who are trying to emulate their  Ivorian counterparts, who successfully toppled the administration of his dictator brother Laurent Gabagbo, to better watch out, as he will not hesitate to use maximum force to crush any uprising . He said situations like that of the Ivorian crisis will not be condoned in The Gambia—vowing that to his death body, there is  no political group that can destabilize this country.  Jammeh said he will do everything in his means to crush any opposition uprising in The Gambia.

Mr. Jammeh made it unequivocally clear to the election chairman that if his office fails to put its house in order by penalizing opposition parties violating the Electoral Code, he as the commander-in-chief of this country will step in to deal with such violators. He said the IEC must monitor political campaigns during this period, and sanction those found not be  conforming with  the laws of the land.

“If you do not act, the State will act, enough is enough,” said Mr. Jammeh who declares zero tolerance to any form of harassment coming from the opposition this time around. He said his regime is determined to set drastic example against  troublemakers in the country.

The Gambian leader noted that  the opposition is free to campaign, but it should avoid actions that might undermine the country’s peace, and stability. He said he is privy to reports about an opposition showdown—similar to the one that had taken  place in Ivory Coast, but he warns that any protest organized by the opposition will be mercilessly crushed.

United Democratic Party Leader Ousainanou Darboe, who was accompanied by his cheering supporters at the nomination center chanting regime change slogans also said his party will not condone nonsense from the Jammeh regime this time around. 

Mr. Darboe said he is  confident of victory come November 24 while urging the election chairman to prevail upon members of the security forces to remain impartial during this crucial period of the country’s political history. Mr. Darboe also wants the state radio, and television services to remain impartial in the execution of their duties.

''This elections will determine the future of the Gambia and the UDP will not tolerate any nonsense,'' said Mr. Darboe adding that the Jammeh regime should brace up for a rude awakening come election day. The UDP leader said The Gambia will be liberated, and that any intimidation attempt  coming from Jammeh’s camp will be crushed.

Mr. Darboe said he doesnt need to tell the IEC boss how his party cherishes peace, and stability. He said the regime should refrain provocating his supporters.

The opposition leader said Jammeh’s 17 years rule has been characterized by misplaced economic priorities, gross rights abuses, and institutionalized corruption. He said Gambians are fed up with Jammeh’s despotic rule, as he was applauded by the excited UDP crowd.

Mr. Darboe also downplayed reports about an opposition disunity in the country. He said the opposition has common objective—that’s to effect political change in the country. He maintains that Gambians are determined to liberate their country's from Jammeh's misrule.

“The opposition in this country are capable of dislodging Jammeh. And we are going to do it,” he said adding what happened in Senegal, and Zambia will be repeated in The Gambia. He said Jammeh’s rule is over.

Hamat NK Bah, leader of the new opposition merger said his candidature compelled President Jammeh to announce his rather impromptu nationwide tour. He said Jammeh has claimed in the past that he will not campaign in the coming polls, but he Jammeh has shifted from his original stance. Mr. Bah said he will win 90 percent of the votes—while stressing the need for peace during the campaign period.  He maintains that the opposition alliance under his leadership will not accept anyone to steal their victory.