Government’s Reaction to Kumba Yalla’s allegations

The Government of The Gambia has learnt with consternation, certain
allegations levelled against it by President Kumba Yalla of Guinea Bissau to
the effect that The Gambia was allowing the use of its territory by
dissident Bissau-Guineans who were plotting to overthrow the democratically
elected Government of Guinea-Bissau.
The Government of The Gambia categorically refutes the allegations as
untrue, unfounded, misconceived, regrettable and totally contrary to the
spirit of neighbourliness that The Gambia under President Jammeh has been
promoting and nurturing.

President Kumba Yalla’s outrage is more surprising and indeed disturbing
when taken in the context of a sub-regional perspective and the well-known
fact that President Jammeh has over the years consistently and steadfastly
given substantial material and other support in total solidarity with the
people and Government of Guinea-Bissau. Indeed, President Jammeh, from the
time of President Kumba Yalla’s predecessor, President Nino Vieirra, through
the civil war and interim government of Guinea-Bissau to date, has been
persistent in his benefaction to the Government and people of Guinea Bissau.

The Gambia also serves as co-ordinator of the “Friends of Guinea Bissau”
Group at the United Nations in New York. The group mobilises international
support for the reconstruction of Guinea Bissau.

All these efforts are made in good faith to strengthen President Kumba
Yalla’s hand at reconciliation and democratisation. It is no secret that the
average Bissau-Guinean appreciates the considerable assistance that
President Jammeh and his Government have rendered to the Government and
people of Guinea Bissau over the past years.

The Government of The Gambia wishes therefore to make it abundantly clear
particularly to the brotherly people of Guinea Bissau that it will never
allow its territory to be used by any foreign national for any subversive or
hostile activity against any State, be it in our immediate sub-region or
anywhere else in the world. The Government is guided in this by its
commitment to adherence to the principles of peaceful co-existence and
non-interference in the internal affairs of other states.

------ End of Government Release -------

While some Gambians have been dangerously relishing the possibility of there
being an iota of truth in the, uncalled for, tirades of an obviously
deranged President Kumba Yalla of Guinea Bissau, those closer home have been
debating whether he shouldn’t be admitted to Campama, since no such facility
exists in his own country.

Whilst every Gambian has the right to support or oppose any political party
or individual of your choice, it is very dangerous to try to make capital
out of some potentially dangerous situations.

On many occasions I have read with consternation, how some want us to
believe that the government of The Gambia would want to do anything but
bring about a lasting settlement to the destructive conflict that has,
killed, maimed and displaced a significant number of its citizenry.
It has been alleged, on many occasions, that the presence of such officials
of the MFDC, such as Alexandra Gibba, their spokesman, as tacit sympathy and
support for their cause.

A few weeks ago when Alexandra Gibba was arrested and detained for illegally
entering Guinea Bissau, many had thought that when handed over to the
Senegalese, he would never see the light of day. Well, he was released to
the custody of a high-ranking Senegalese General who accompanied him to
Dakar from Bissau. Those who do not know where Mr. Gibba is, let me inform
you that the Senegalese authorities released him soon after arriving in
Dakar and allowed to come and join his family here.

I hope this would remind us in future not to easily jump to conclusions. As
the Wollofs say, “Two things can be similar and yet different."

Have a good day, Gassa.




There is a time in the life of every problem when it is big enough to see,
yet small enough to solve. -Mike- Levitt-


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