By Aja Beyai
At a press conference on Monday, Mr. Malick H.B. Jallow, the lawyer for two sacked lecturers at the University of the Gambia, Dr. Alieu Gibba and Professor Matarr Njie, addressed the ongoing negotiations and clarified that no out-of-court agreement had been reached between his clients and the University.
Mr. Jallow, representing the two lecturers, expressed their commitment to supporting his clients throughout the negotiation process. He emphasized their trust in the staff association to advocate for their interests, stating, “I believe they did what they could and did what was expected to stand by their colleagues.”
A significant contention remains in clause 3 of the proposed agreement, which reportedly requires the lecturers to retract their earlier statement about alleged corrupt practices at the University, which the University said are “unsubstantiated allegations”.
The said clause has raised concerns among the dismissed lecturers, who argue that accepting these terms would undermine their previous statements and potentially damage their professional credibility. They maintain that they stand by their claims and are prepared to substantiate them.
Despite these challenges, Mr. Jallow conveyed optimism about the progress made in negotiations, emphasizing their desire for a peaceful and amicable resolution. However, he firmly stated that his clients cannot be coerced into accepting terms that could compromise their professional integrity.
Mr. Malick H.B. Jallow emphasized the importance of maintaining professional integrity as negotiations continue between Dr. Alieu Gibba, Professor Matarr Njie, and the University of The Gambia (UTG).
“Unfortunately, while our clients desire a peaceful, speedy, and amicable settlement to this matter, they cannot be rushed into accepting terms that could ultimately cause fundamental and potentially irreparable damage to their credibility and standing as professionals and community citizens,” he stated.
As discussions progress, Lawyer Jallow says they remain committed to ensuring that any agreement aligns with his client’s principles and maintains their standing within the community.
“It’s all based on principle, and it’s all centered on what they believe, which we believe serves the best interests of the university, our clients, and the community at large,” he added.
Meanwhile, on Friday, the University of The Gambia Faculty and Staff Association (UTGFSA) announced that it had concluded its ongoing strike immediately.
The resolution was achieved at an extraordinary congress at the UTG Kanifing Campus, where an overwhelming majority of attendees voted 95 to 1 to end the industrial action.
The decision to call off the strike comes after extensive consultative meetings and negotiations involving key stakeholders, including the Government of The Gambia, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (MoHERST), the UTG Governing Council, UTGFSA, and its Taskforce.
Key elements of the agreement include rescinding the two dismissals while Management withdraws the lawsuit against the UTGFSA, including any contempt charges.
The controversial clause three of the agreement calls on the two staff members to retract their previously made allegations, which are deemed unsubstantiated among other agreements.
After weeks of student protests, the resolution of the strike marks a return to normal operations at the University of the Gambia.
