By Buba Gagigo
President Adama Barrow, during a visit to State House by former Gambian president Yahya Jammeh’s family, disclosed that he has instructed authorities to refrain from evicting the families of former president Yahya Jammeh and General Saul Badjie from their homes, despite the properties having been seized by the government.
President Adama Barrow explained that all of General Saul Badjie’s assets, including the residence where his mother currently lives, had been confiscated by the government. Nonetheless, he assured the gathered audience that the elderly woman would not face eviction for the duration of his presidency.
“All of General Badjie’s properties have been seized, including the one where his mother is staying. I have made it clear that she will not be evicted while I am in office. The same principle applies to President Jammeh’s compound in Kanilai; his people will not be evicted as long as I am president,” he affirmed.
President Barrow also recounted his efforts to foster unity and respect for former presidents, highlighting the moment when Jammeh’s mother passed away.
Barrow recounted in Mandinka, “I made considerable efforts to foster unity and ensure that former presidents were accorded the respect they deserved. When Jammeh’s mother passed away, I was in a meeting in Togo, far from the location of her demise, where there were few Muslims. His host, the president of Equatorial Guinea, was also at our meeting. Jammeh called to inform him of his mother’s passing, explaining the situation and his desire for his mother’s body to be brought back to the Gambia.”
According to President Barrow, it was challenging to find someone in Equatorial Guinea to handle the deceased’s body in accordance with Islamic rites.
“Jammeh contacted the Equatorial Guinea president, who, in turn, enlisted the help of some Malian businessmen whom he knew were Muslims to do the mobilization to take care of the remains. He did not inform me directly, but he [President of Equatorial Guinea] informed other presidents, including President Issoufou, the chairman of ECOWAS then, Nana Akufo of Ghana, and Alassane Ouattara, about the situation, urging them to talk to me about getting the remains of Jammeh’s mother repatriated back to the Gambia for burial. However, instead of them coming to me as a delegation, one of them suggested involving Macky Sall, who is my brother and was present at the meeting, to speak to me,” Barrow added.
“Macky informed me that President Jammeh’s mother had passed away, mentioning that President Jammeh was scared and in tears, wishing for her body to be repatriated to the Gambia. I responded by asking him what he would do. He told me left to him, he will let the remains return. I told him I would do the same, emphasizing that his mother had not done anything wrong and that my decision was clear, to have her remains returned. It was a very easy decision for me. Has President Jammeh ever thought of living in exile with his mother? Who has ever thought of that? On that day, only I, President Barrow, could resolve this issue, and I did,” President Barrow said.
Former President Yahya Jammeh’s family expressed their gratitude to President Adama Barrow during their visit to State House. President Barrow had previously visited the Jammeh family in Kanilai before the 2021 presidential election. President Barrow clarified that his visit to Kanilai was not initially part of his agenda, but he felt it was essential to visit the Jammeh family, stating, “There was a lot of commotion when I went there, and people had plenty to say. But I have a guiding principle: there is no feud between me and Jammeh. This state house is not my family’s compound, nor is it Jammeh Kunda or Barrow Kunda; it is Gambia Kunda. I did not end Jammeh’s presidency; God did. I may not have the authority to end his presidency.”
President Adama Barrow acknowledged former President Yahya Jammeh’s enduring influence, describing him as one of the most powerful leaders in West Africa. Barrow recounted how Jammeh’s reputation still precedes him, even during his travels abroad. He admitted to still harboring a lingering fear when encountering Jammeh’s imposing vehicles.
Despite Jammeh’s departure, Barrow recognized the residual power he wields. He emphasized his belief in divine providence, asserting that every president’s tenure is divinely ordained. He likened the presidency to a temporary position, borrowed from the people.
Barrow acknowledged that not every president garners universal admiration, citing it as an inevitable reality. He reaffirmed his respect for both Jammeh and former President Dawda Jawara, expressing his desire for similar respect when his own presidency concludes.
Barrow drew an analogy to Nigeria, where multiple former presidents coexist peacefully. He underscored the inherent power vested in every president, regardless of their stature. He expressed his belief that witnessing Nigeria’s peaceful transitions of power encourages incumbent presidents to relinquish power gracefully. He emphasized that relinquishing power is not about financial gain.
Barrow acknowledged Jammeh’s unpreparedness for his ousting, understanding that Jammeh never envisioned such an outcome, especially at the hands of President Barrow. He remarked, “He was not prepared for it, but today, if you asked Jammeh who his president is, he would say President Barrow.”
President Barrow made these remarks at the State House on Sunday, when former President Yahya Jammeh’s family visited him.