By Buba Gagigo
Former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has firmly rejected claims by Hon. Amie Colley, the National Assembly Member (NAM) for Foni Berefet, that he endorsed her decision to align with President Adama Barrow.
In an audio message, Jammeh clarified that his interactions with Hon. Colley has been minimal and strictly mediated by trusted individuals.
“Contrary to what she’s claiming, that I was happy when she told me she was going to Adama Barrow? Yes, she told me, but she got my number from where? And I asked her how she got my number because I did not talked to Amie Colley for almost seven months. I have always been very careful talking to people, and there was nobody who wanted to talk to me without me referring that person to the people that I trust. They will be there; the person will sit with him or her. The person will send me an audio, and I will respond through audio to the telephone of the guy whom I trust to be a witness,” Jammeh explained.
He further refuted Hon. Colley’s assertion that she communicates with him more than any other executive member of the APRC.
“She claimed that she talks to me more than any member of the executive; that’s a lie. It is not true,” he emphasized.
Jammeh detailed that since Hon. Colley assumed her parliamentary role, all communications with her were conducted through third parties.
“Since she became MP, I spoke to her through somebody. She went to people, and those people called me with their telephones because I didn’t want her to have my number. I spoke to her, if I am not mistaken, for the entire time she has been an MP for APRC seven times,” he added.
Addressing the current security situation in the country, the former president drew comparisons between Gambia’s crime rate and those of notorious hotspots like Mexico and Colombia;
“The crime that is taking place in the Gambia is worse than in Mexico or Colombia. Nobody has ever been prosecuted. They were also complaining about my checkpoints; when the law killed those people, they said I killed people. They said he’s a killer; I know the reason. But I told you, you would beg for execution, and nobody is going to listen to you. That’s the day that has come,” he said.
Jammeh expressed concern over increasing incidents of violent crime, including rape, stabbings, hit-and-run accidents, and robberies.
“Now every day, somebody is raped, stabbed, run over by a vehicle, or robbed. All the worst criminals around our neighborhood, even far away, come; the worst drug dealers come; containers of drugs come, but it’s coming to an end,” he asserted.
Jammeh was also unequivocal about his intention to return to The Gambia, asserting that President Barrow would not be able to prevent his homecoming.
“If Adama Barrow thinks he’s the one to bring me back, he’s not going to do it, but he cannot even do it. Adama Barrow, you cannot also prevent me from coming to the Gambia. Sooner or later, we will know who owns the Gambia. You or me. That day will be very nice,” Jammeh declared.
He went on to say that Gambia’s natural resources extend beyond oil and gas and vowed to reclaim what he believes has been wrongfully taken from the country.
“This is robbery. And you people who sold our country, be ready. You said I am not coming; let’s see who is going to run. Other people are saying Yahya Jammeh should not talk about the Gambia. Who the hell are you? Wait for me at the airport and tell me, Yahya Jammeh, you cannot come down. I am waiting for that day; you all wait for me. I am praying for Almighty Allah to speed up the day and time (of his coming) and don’t think I am going to sneak into the country like that. No, I am not a coward. The way I left, the whole world saw me going red carpet to the plane. That is the way I will come out of the plane onto a red carpet. If you don’t put a red carpet there, I swear to God,” Jammeh warned.
He concluded his statement with the repeated oath, “Belie Walaie Talie”, emphasizing the seriousness of his vow to return.