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| CDS Badjie had, in an unexpected New Year’s message, announced the
army’s “unflinching loyalty and support” to President Jammeh. He had earlier
switched allegiance to Mr. Barrow before changing his mind. (Photo: Jollof News) |
“Defend our supreme constitution,
fulfill your mandates, and protect your lives and those of your families,” a Graduate Research
Assistant (Master of Human Rights) at the University of Minnesota tells Gambian army.
“The current unpredictable
political climate could be peacefully resolved through the unflinching support
of ‘fearless and loyal internal soldiers’ of The Gambia armed and security
forces,” said Nfamara K. Dampha, a Director
of Administration of the National Disaster Management Agency, NDMA, on study
leave.
He said the
armed and security forces are expected to show allegiance and solidarity to the
President-elect Adama Barrow when sworn into office on January 19, 2017, in an open letter to the Chief of Defense
Staff (CDS) Lieutenant General Ousman Badjie and the armed and security forces.
Dampha also said: “Any sign or act of allegiance to the outgoing
President [Yahya] Jammeh is legally considered rebellious, unconstitutional,
and will tantamount to instigating violence against your own children, wives,
brothers, sisters, uncles, parents, friends, neighbors to mention but a few.
“Without any conviction of doubt, I am positive that The Gambia
armed and security forces will make the Gambia proud again. You will do the
right thing on January 19, 2017.
“You will defend the constitution of The Gambia and protect the
democratic will and choice of the Gambian people.
“We know, you are loyal and patriotic to the Outgoing President
Jammeh because the constitution dictates so.
“We know, you will individually protect your lives, protect the
precious lives of your families, and collectively protect the sovereignty of
the Gambia and its citizens.
“We know, you will safeguard its peace and stability as you have
sworn to.”
Changed his mind
CDS Badjie had, in an unexpected New Year’s message, announced the
army’s “unflinching loyalty and support” to President Jammeh. He had earlier
switched allegiance to Mr. Barrow before changing his mind.
Gambia’s Yahya Jammeh too changed his mind by rejecting the
election results, a week after he conceded defeat. He has since filed a petition in court
to challenge his loss but it could not be heard because the Supreme Court doesn't have a panel to sit over the case.
ECOWAS leaders, led by Nigeria's Muhammadu Buhari, are in Banjul today to secure a diplomatic solution to the political impasse.
Written by Modou S. Joof
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