By Dawda Baldeh
A heated debate erupted in The Gambia’s National Assembly over the possible return of former President Yahya Jammeh, with lawmakers clashing over whether he poses a threat to national security.
The discussion was triggered by Lower Saloum lawmaker Sainey Jawara, who described Jammeh as a danger to the country. His remarks drew an immediate response from Foni Kansala representative Almamy Gibba, who rejected the claim and questioned the roles of the Assembly’s leadership.
“If Jammeh poses a security threat, then who is influencing the narrative of the National Assembly speaker today? If Jammeh is a security threat, who is influencing the deputy speaker of the National Assembly? Seedy Njie was Jammeh’s last information minister who socialized with him,” Gibba said.
He further asked: “If Jammeh is a security threat, what about the security apparatus he left behind?”
Deputy Speaker Seedy Njie, presiding over the session, intervened to urge Gibba to stay focused. “Stay on topic, maintain order; what you are implying is unclear. Why are you suggesting that if Jammeh is a security threat, what about the speaker? Are you implying that the speaker is a security threat? You cannot make that claim,” Njie remarked.
Despite the intervention, Gibba insisted both the speaker and deputy had been loyal to Jammeh during his 22 years in power. His comments provoked objections from other members, who argued he could not equate their positions with Jammeh’s perceived threat.
“Honorable member for Foni Kansala, you cannot make everyone angry with you,” lawmakers told him. Gibba replied: “If you are angry, whose concern is that? If you are angry, are you the only one feeling that way?”
Njie reminded him that the debate was about Jammeh’s return, not the current security forces. “I don’t want members to associate Jammeh with the serving members of our security forces. You can discuss the security forces, but not in a way that links them to a concealed relationship with Jammeh, please,” he clarified.
Gibba maintained that branding Jammeh’s return as a national security threat was wrong.
“I want to clarify that in this country, coup leaders like Papa Faal, Alhagie Barrow, and others who executed the December coup were welcomed when they arrived at the airport after Jammeh’s departure. It is Barrow’s government that has praised and referred to them as heroes. Hon. Sainey Jawara knows these individuals are the real threats,” he said.
He noted Jammeh had survived more than 15 coup attempts. “The individuals who aimed to destabilize this country are the ones supporting the government. So, Barrow himself is welcoming threats.”
Gibba added that coup leaders such as Alhagie Barrow were appointed as chief investigators at the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). “The threats posed by the former president are allies of the current government,” he argued.
He also reminded lawmakers of President Adama Barrow’s comments in Sukuta last year, where he likened Jammeh’s APRC party to his wife. “Last year in Sukuta, President Barrow stated that APRC, the former President’s party, is his wife. So, when do you plan to divorce your wife? The same President went to Kanalai to encourage Jammeh’s supporters to rally behind him,” Gibba said.
The Foni Kansala lawmaker concluded that Jammeh should not be disparaged while his loyalists continue to hold significant positions. He insisted that ex-President Jammeh “loves this country more than those opposing him today.”
By Dawda Baldeh A heated debate erupted in The Gambia’s National Assembly over the possible return of former President Yahya Jammeh, with lawmakers clashing over whether he poses a threat to national security. The discussion was triggered by Lower Saloum lawmaker Sainey Jawara, who described Jammeh as a danger to the country. His remarks drew The Fatu Network
