Kemesseng Reacts To Jammeh's Statement To APRC Youth Wing 
Point News (Banjul) 
July 26, 2000 


Banjul - National Assembly minority leader Kemesseng Jammeh has said President Jammeh's declaration of burying people six feet deep people who threaten the peace of the country is "a very, very serious threat." Mr. Jammeh made this reaction yesterday in his office in Banjul, reacting to statements against those opposing the APRC, made by the President during a meeting with members of his party's Youth Wing at State House,.

According to the opposition MP, the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to belong to any political party. Such statements therefore do not augur well for the peace and stability of the country. "It is indeed a very serious statement." he pointed out.

Mr. Jammeh accused President Jammeh of employing former July 22nd Movement members to the positions of assistant commissioner for them to support and campaign for his party, the APRC. This practise, according to him, contravenes the Constitution.

It is therefore paradoxical for Jammeh to threaten Radio Gambia staff and any civil servant with dismissal if they do not support his government. If the assistant commissioners campaign openly, then other civil servants should also have the right to support any party of their choice, he noted.

President Jammeh therefore has no right to sack anybody based on his political views, Mr. Jammeh said. "This should not be done."

Such a statement is a direct affront to the principles of democracy in the Gambia.

During his meeting with his party's youth wing, President Jammeh, among other things, promised to bury anybody who threatens the stability of this nation. He also said any civil servant who does not support his government should resign honourably or face dismissal. He said the broom used to sweep the police will be used to sweep GRTS radio. 

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