Uncertainty Grips Gambia as Jammeh Conceals Information on US Trip

The Gambia is in the clutches palpable uncertainty and unease as the government wilfully continues to keep a tight lid on information about dictator Jammeh`s trip to the US.

Jammeh's extended stay in the United States has set tongues wagging in all corners of the country what the paranoid and murderous dictator is up to and his attempt to keep it from public knowledge.

Speculations about Jammeh`s latest trip to the US, according to investigations conducted by freedom newspaper, range from medical treatment to attempts to placate donors like IMF and World Bank to give more loans and grants to Gambia.

Whilst weighing in on the ensuing national debate about Jammeh`s uncharacteristically long stay in the US, a senior APRC party member who spoke on condition of anonymity stated: “I am privy to closely guarded information that Jammeh has been battling with poor health over the recent months .He was even mildly sick during the recently concluded presidential election but he just managed to go through the rallies around the country”.

The source further added that Jammeh`s abrupt departure from Gambia late last week cannot be accounted for on any rational basis than medical treatment to repair his deteriorating health.

Also speaking, a source working as bodyguard for one of Jammeh`s sycophantic ministers who crave anonymity said that Jammeh had fallen asleep during the recently held cabinet retreat held at his home hamlet, Kanilai.

“This came as major shock to most of the ministers who were embarrassed to draw the conclusion, at least in hushed tones, that Jammeh has a problem .I have even heard some of his close aides saying the man has not been sleeping well for quite a while which has aggravated his health problems “.

When pressed as to why a seemingly comfortable and secure president like Jammeh with his bunch of loyal and sycophantic ministers would have cause for sleeplessness, the source made a revelation that was as startling as it was apocalyptic.

“Power is not as sweet as it seems. Jammeh has found himself out of depth in satisfying the desire of the army top branch as he has just about exhausted his gifts to make them loyal .He feels unsafe because his hands are tainted with the blood of so many innocent people which has fettered his conscience and punctured his sleep on many nights”.

 The source further corroborated recent freedom newspaper reports that Jammeh has been suffering from potentially lethal strains of cancer and diabetes.

“I can tell you that Ousman Jammeh was sacked because Jammeh thought he was the one who leaked information to freedom newspaper. Jammeh also believed Ousman Jammeh leaked documents about Gambia government’s agreement to launch commission of enquiry into Deyda Hydara`s assassination”.