Fabakary Tombong Jatta, leader of the opposition APRC party has said that the Gambia government did not respect a Memorandum of Understanding signed by former President Jammeh with United Nation, African Union and Ecowas before he went into exile.
“Reaction of the government regarding the MOU indicated that the current government is not the signatories to the MOU. It is because of the efforts made by these International Bodies on behalf of the coalition government that ensure smooth transition for the coalition to take over power and Jammeh left peacefully,” he said during a press conference at his resident in Tallinding.
Hon. Jatta added that the MOU ensures peace and stability in the country because if the agreement was not made during the political standoff even when the whole world was armed to protect the country there would have been blood shed in the West African tiny nation.
He said the agreement was to ensure the safety of former president Jammeh and his properties, adding that he could return to the country anytime he wishes.
“This agreement is not respected to extend that the commission of enquiry has gone to former President House and revealed his privacy,” he added.
Hon. Jatta also condemned the Janneh commission visiting the former president’s house with broadcast media houses; he described the act as indecent saying the commissioners shouldn’t have shown the world Mr. Jammeh’s privacy.
“This is an enquiry and not a court case. They [ the commissioners] did not stop on the enquiry alone but they released the photos while people were making comments. This is indecent,” he argued.
He then added: “We belief that the commission is there to establish the facts and present the facts to the government to determine what to do. The same commission has sold the properties of former president such as cows and bulls. Now, how many of the cattle were sold and how transparent was the process.”
He noted as long as Jammeh was caring for his belongings the current government should have taken good care of his [Mr. Jammeh] properties until legal decisions are taken against the said properties.
However, Hon. Jatta noted that the Janneh commission member should be people with excellent character to serve the public rightfully, saying if anyone fails to do the work to the expectation of the Gambia populace. She/he will either resign or be moved because the country has enough people to fill the positions.
Author: Sulayman Waan
