Yahya Jammeh resettled into The Gambia, at the age of three. His parents quickly obtained a birth certificate for him. In those days, it was not difficult for one to secure The Gambian national documents. You don’t need to be born in the country to be a citizen of The Gambia. Health officials issued birth certificates to non Gambians at random. Those who benefited from such dubious schemes often declared that they lost the birth certificates of their loved ones. Yahya happens to be one of those who frequently obtained our national document.

It was not easy for Jammeh to be admitted at The Gambia High School. Questions were raised about the validity of his birth certificate. It was reported that certain alterations were discovered on the document prompting school authorities at the time to ask him to produce a “Sefo’s” attestation letter. Thanks to the late Pa Alfunse Tamba, Jammeh was admitted. At the material time he only speaks Jolla.

Pa Tamba, was always there for Yahya, when people doubted his citizenship. Even though he was not related to the rebel fugitive Kukoi Samba Sanyang, Jammeh was all the time linked with Kukoi. The then intelligence branch the NSS, thought that Jammeh, might follow the footsteps of Kukoi to rebel against the then PPP administration.

Folks from Foni, the birth region of Kukoi, suffered a great deal in the hands of the then administration, when it comes to joining the army or the police. They were subjected to thorough back ground checks before being admitted into the force.

While in the Gendarmerie Yahya used to say that he was proud to be a Casamance origin. Jammeh spent his vacations in Casamance and was all the time expressing his support for the MFDC. Jammeh believes that Casamance should have its independence come what may.

We were not surprised about his close ties with the MFDC, when he took over the country in July of 1994. Banjul was the safe heaven for the MFDC rebels. The Jammeh government gave them free hotel accommodation in Banjul. They conduct their clandestine meetings in a bid to wage an attack against the impoverished populace in the Southern Province of Casamance.

Alexandra Gibba, was in constant touch with Yahya. Gibba said Yahya was from their region and it would be fool hardy for The Senegalese government to think that Yahya will retaliate against them. Indeed. The rebels were all over in The Gambia. Some served as cap drivers, security guards, gardeners, carpenters and under cover agents. These rebels regrouped in the Casamance bush whenever needed by their command.

Dr.ML Sidat Jobe, former Foreign Affairs Minister, used to help to coordinator the activities of the MFDC meetings in Banjul. Sedat is fully aware of the dubious activities of the MFDC. Gibba was usually mistaken as one of the staffers of the Foreign office. I remember Gibba, directing visitors at that office. Gibba was at some point given a desk at that office. He was often seen in the premises day in day out. Look out for part five…..