According to Ebrima G. Sankareh, a spokesman for the Gambia government, former president Yahya Jammeh is entitled by the constitution to return to the country as a regular citizen.
Former President Jammeh declared in a recent Whatsapp recording that he will return to regain complete control of the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), a breakaway party he created while in office.
In response, Sankareh stated: “I had a closed-door meeting with President Barrow, and the issue of the ex-President Jammeh audio ranting and several other things were discussed.”
“Everyone knows that former President Jammeh was born here, attended this school, enlisted in the army, and carried out a coup, thus President Barrow’s tirade was unnecessary. and then served for 22 years as president. He is therefore a citizen, just as all Gambians. Sankareh stated on West Coast Radio’s Coffee Time program with Peter Gomez that “he has the right to return to The Gambia.”
He went on to say that all of the threats made by former President Jammeh were needless in the eyes of President Barrow.
“He is a citizen of the Gambia. The government spokesperson said, “He has the right to return.”
He did, however, add that President Barrow believes that former President Jammeh has the right to go back home and is not particularly concerned about Jammeh’s tirades.
Upon his return to The Gambia, Jammeh, who has been living in exile since losing the 2016 presidential election, rejected threats of detention or legal action. “By the grace of the Almighty Allah, I am returning, whether anyone likes it or not,” he said. “Those who are threatening to put me in jail should wait until I get there. There will be a day of reckoning and accountability soon.
However, Sankareh stated that Gambians would like to hear everything about the claims of atrocities whenever Jammeh visits, including the killing of Deyda Hydara, the murder of Ousman Koro Ceesay and journalist Chief Manneh, the killing of West African migrants, the killing of schoolchildren on April 10 and 11, and the killing of military officers on November 11.
Going further, he stated that former President Jammeh is facing a number of accusations, including rapes, torture, liquidations, disappearances without trace, and murders.
“So, basically these are the things President Jammeh faces when he comes to The Gambia,” he explained.
Sankareh reaffirmed that although the former president is entitled by the constitution to come home, he would not be returning to the State House at Number One Marina Parade and must acknowledge his status as a former president. “That is his new badge,” he declared.
He went on to say that former president Jammeh has a lot of issues to answer, citing accusations of rape, severe financial mismanagement, and brutality against people, among other things.
Serious accusations were brought against him and his character by those who testified before the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). He is accountable for everything that occurs during his 22-year term as president, the government spokeswoman said.
Regarding Jammeh’s potential threat if he enters the nation,
Mr. Sankareh stated that President Barrow will not be forced to leave the country due to the return of former President Jammeh, adding that “Jammeh does not have the power to take over power.”
He noted that President Barrow, who was elected by the Gambian people, is the Commander-in-Chief of the Gambia Armed Force and has nominated all security officials who report directly to him.
“Jammeh cannot defeat the State House and allow President Barrow to leave the nation with this strength. The Gambian populace is more resilient than that.
Sankareh concluded by saying that President Barrow is serious and dedicated to bringing justice to the Jammeh victims.
