On AG Radio’s Saturday edition of the “Voice of the People” programme, Bun Dawda provided a very insightful analysis of the cost of neglecting transitional justice and why Barrow’s failure to rule was deeply rooted in greed and self-centeredness, proof that he does not deserve a third term.
Bun Dawda welcomes the appointment of Martin Hackett as prosecutor to try the Yahya Jammeh-era crimes against humanity. Mr. Hackett is a British criminal barrister with an extensive career spanning approximately 25 to 30 years, focusing on serious criminal cases such as terrorism, organized crime, and sexual offenses, as well as international law and war crimes.
Regarding the massive allegations of registration fraud at voter centres around the country, Bun Dawda mentioned the case of one woman caught with many Gambian birth certificates intended to be given to underage and foreign nationals to register to vote.
According to Bun Dawda, Alkalo voter attestation is nothing but a mechanism put in place by the state to fraudulently impact elections. “How can a Gambian born in Gambia, raised in Gambia, live all his life in Gambia but have no birth certificate?” he inquired. Allowing such practices is just to create an environment for voter fraud, which undermines the integrity of the electoral process and disenfranchises legitimate voters.
“The opposition parties must work together on mutual interests and for the sake of the country to deter being divided by Barrow. In 2016, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) only did the right thing because it saw the united voices of the people and their determination for Jammeh to go. This upcoming election, if the opposition fails to play its role, Barrow will remain in power,” he said.
According to Bun Dawda, Barrow’s government is in a state of desperation, and that is why they are going around in other West African countries illegally inviting people to join our elections. The opposition must act on their commitments; if not, the people must hold them accountable. He concluded that the people must also play their part before holding the opposition accountable.
