By: Yankuba Manneh
The former Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh made his debut political rally address on line from Malabo since APRC’s No Alliance Movement (NAM) joined Sheikh Tijan Hydra’s GANU party.
This comes barely two weeks since he addressed thousands at the mega Kanilai rally where he disavowed the NPP-APRC alliance.
The supreme leader of the beleaguered APRC currently in exile in the Central African country of Equatorial Guinea told thousands of supporters on Saturday that ECOMIG’s presence in The Gambia is apparently meaningless if Gambians continue to suffer under the Barrow-led government.
“What is ECOMIG’s role in the Gambia if the interest of Gambians is not served?”Jammeh asked angrily in a telephone address.
He continued to renew his position on the electoral outcome of 2016 Presidential race, saying he and his APRC party were cheated on, urging supporters to be steadfast and be committed in restoring the Gambia’s lost glory.
Former President Jammeh recounted the numerous development initiatives brought about by his government ranging from health, education, agriculture and infrastructure.
He however lamented the current state of affairs, noting that nothing of substantial value has taken effect since his ouster some four years ago.
“Barely two months since I left the country NAWEC has been deteriorating. Women and children continue to suffer. The Economic status of Gambian women worsened. Hospitals are void of drugs and terribly equipped. Nothing is progressing in the country,” he outlined with dismay.
He also indicted Barrow’s government for setting the country on reverse order as almost everything he and his predecessor, the late Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, worked for has been disgracefully ruined.
Jammeh went on to renew his clarion call for Gambians to vote for a presidential aspirant who is poised to unite all and sundry irrespective of tribe, region or affiliations and warned against divisive and tribal politics in the best interest of The Gambia.
Critics of the fugitive former Gambian leader said he should be barred from speaking in Gambia’s political affairs because he does not have the moral compass to preach politics nor does he have the franchise to vote or be voted for in this year’s elections.
For human rights advocates Jammehs continued public address at this critical stage of our polity, could cause more harm than good whilst others say, the former strongman accused of massive atrocities was emboldened by the incumbents alliance with the APRC Party.
