By: S. M Touray
The government of the Gambia is taking all measures against future protest as it already bought a water cannon truck for the Police ready to be use on protesters, confirmed by senior government official.
Interior Minister Ebrima Mballow made the announcement of the arrival of Water cannon truck into the country at a political rally organized by President Adama Barrow in Brikama on Saturday.
“The Water cannon is intended to be used on protesters who intent to disrupt the peace and tranquillity of the country,” he told supporters while the President looks on.
Minister Mballow denied widespread rumours that the government brought riot gears and armoured tankers. He reveals that “What we brought in is Water cannon truck. It will spray hot water on anyone who resorts to rudeness”
Mballow pointed out that it is not at the request of the government to use the Water cannon on the citizens, but declaring that it will be used on those who want to destabilise the peace of the country.
He further warned against unauthorised protests, saying that anyone who engages in unauthorised protest must be ready to confront the hot water from the Water cannon truck.
“We know that there are people in the Diaspora who are pushing you to embark on the three years junta campaign by telling you stories such as three years this and three years that. I’m warning you not to listen to them because if anyone engages in this protest we will not sit and watch you destroy the country.”
“Let us not allow ourselves to be used by those in the Diaspora and elsewhere on this three years junta issue. Let us respect the dictates of the constitution because we will not allow anything that may destabilise the country,” Mballow warned.
“Whether you like it or not I would rule till 2021 because this is what I’m mandated by the constitution. If anyone wants to succeed me they can wait till 2021,”President Adama Barrow vowed to the Gambia populace on Saturday.
The only way to the presidency is through the front door. There’s no back door or short curve to the presidency. Whoever wants to become president will have to wait till 2021 and seek the mandate of the people through the ballot box.”
Barrow also threw a jab at his social media and Diaspora critics, referring to them and their criticisms as irrelevant. He mocked that most of the people ranting and criticizing him on the social media cannot even mobilise ten people for a gathering. He called on the Diaspora Gambians to instead return home and help build the country.
“When I see people in the Diaspora complaining on the social media that President Barrow refuses to give them jobs, this surprises me because I was also in the Diaspora and when I decided to come home I was not expecting a job from anyone. I came with my own plans to do something in this country and I earned a living and was able to do a lot.”
Responding to criticism that he’s uneducated, Barrow took a swipe at educated Gambians, saying that they were nowhere to be seen when they were desperately needed.
“The time I was elected as flag-bearer, all these knowledgeable Gambians both in the Diaspora and within the country were all around. All the PhD holders were here and no one came forward. But today if you advertise it on the newspapers we’ll see a different story.”
