By Makutu Manneh
The interim leader of the APRC No-To-Alliance faction, Momodou Yafaye Tamba, has assigned Hon. Alhagie Matarr Kujabi—former National Assembly Member for Foni Bondali and the faction’s Administrative Secretary—to clarify the group’s concerns over the government’s failure to respond to their request for dialogue regarding the return of former President Yahya Jammeh.
Speaking to Kerr Fatou, Hon. Kujabi said the government’s continued silence on their request remains a major barrier to facilitating Jammeh’s return. He stressed that the state has a critical role to play in the process, adding that “the former president should not come home without proper engagement with the government.”
Kujabi explained that the faction had previously been informed by party executive member Fabakary Tamba that he received a call from State House indicating that a response to their request would be issued. However, he noted that the matter has since stalled with no further communication from the authorities. He added that Tamba was unable to identify the caller, as the number was not saved.
In a phone interview, Hon. Kujabi expressed disappointment and frustration over what he described as neglect by the government.
“We feel as if we are not citizens because they are not treating us as citizens,” he said. “Even if they do not agree with us or what we are doing, we are citizens of this country, and if we express our desire to have a meeting with them, they should listen to us.”
Despite the lack of progress, Kujabi said the group will continue to pursue engagement with the government. He emphasized that former President Jammeh’s intention to return should be taken seriously by the authorities.
He further urged the government to handle the matter with prudence. “Let President Barrow remember that one day he will also become a former president, and he will not want to be handled the way he is handling the affairs of former President Yahya Jammeh,” Kujabi remarked.
He added that Gambians are aware of how former President Jammeh oversaw the return of former President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara and argued that Jammeh “also deserves to be handled that way.”
Kujabi called on supporters of the APRC No-To-Alliance to remain steadfast, assuring them that the movement remains determined. “We will continue the fight until we achieve what we are supposed to because it is President Jammeh’s right to come back to this country, and that has to be recognized and granted. Let the members remain loyal and committed to the course of Jammeh,” he said.