The Independent
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(Banjul)
November 6, 2000
Alhagie Mbye
Banjul
Retired Colonel Sam Sillah, has called on the Gambia National Army (GNA) 'to be
patriotic enough and come out and tell Gambians the truth behind the killing of
the defenseless student demonstrators before engaging in any public relations
exercise'.
In an exclusive interview with The Independent at his residence in Cape Point,
Monday, Colonel Sillah, who is also the National President of the opposition
United Democratic Party (UDP), explained that 'the anguish in the hearts of the
people is so great that no amount of public relations exercise, tour or promises
of development to one community or the other will make any difference until
someone tells the truth about the senseless killing of the students'.
He said that instead of the security forces engaging in a public relations
exercise with drumbeats and giggle marches, 'why not they come out and tell the
people what happened on the 10th and 11th April student demonstration, after the
commission had done its job. He noted further noted that 'true soldiers are
professionally or legally bound to disobey unlawful orders, regulations and
procedures as no general today is immune from tribunals and courts for crime
against humanity especially against our own kids'.
He added that whether the public relations exercise is connected or unconnected
with the student demonstration, it is too late, as the security forces' role is
specifically spelt out in the constitution. He stressed that it is the tax
payers who pay, upkeep and equip the security forces and that it is a profession
of honour to put their lives on the line for their country and people. 'We
expect nothing more and nothing less from them,' he noted.
Col. Sillah remarked that ' killing the truth under wraps only prolongs the
anguish and by training political extremists whose loyalty is to their political
masters and who in turn use them against internal political opponents like the
July 22 movement is being used today is unfortunate'.
President Jammeh's tour Col. Sillah explained further that development is an
obligation of government as citizens pay rates and taxes for that purpose in
compliance with the constitution and therefore President Jammeh's statement
threatening to deprive citizens development due to lack of political support is
the most unfortunate. Development projects he said are one thing but the will
and resolve of the people is a true hallmark of a developed nation.
Massive defections Col. Sillah also outlined that candidates for the APRC in
Foni were unopposed during the last elections but 'due to another case of making
false promises the people of Foni are now defecting to the UDP'.
Local chiefs He noted that there is absolutely no doubt that changes are mere
political tools of the regime as the President hires and fives them at will.
This he said also applies to the divisional commissioners and their July 22
movement assistant commissioners. This he added is a mockery of one's
constitutional right when the IEC said chiefs should not be involved in partisan
politics.
The Crude Oil Saga Col. Sillah also stressed that the National Assembly members
have done a 'monumental disservice' to the tax prayers and the electorate by
throwing out the demand to set up a commission to investigate. the President
regarding the crude oil Saga. 'It is a matter of regret when people like the
Deputy Speaker's and the Majority Leader's loyalty lie with the President and
not the nation. 'How can this country's poor tax payers have to pay a hefty fine
of over half a million US Dollars for a crude oil deal that according to them
was meant for one individual and for a personal purpose?' he queried.
Coalition with other opposition parties Col. Sillah said he had high regards for
Halifa Sallah, Sidia Jatta and Hamat Bah of the PDOIS and NRP parties
respectively and that he was in for a coalition with other opposition parties.
He added that the ideologies may be different but their objective is the same
and as a result he saw no reasons why the opposition cannot come together and
fight a common course during the forth coming elections.
Relationship with the international community Col. Sillah expressed
dissatisfaction with The Gambia's relationship with the international community
and outlined that the country shares so much in common with Senegal and
therefore 'if cannot contribute at enhancing peace in Senegal we should not do
anything to aggravate the situation'. He said that he found it strange that the
spokesmam for a dsissident movement in Senegal should be based in the Altantic
Hotel giving press conferences, and he asked why the Senegalese armed forces are
catching dissidnts with Gambian documents. 'This is a very hard pin to swallow
by Gambians,' he added.
Col. Sillah also criticised our relationship with Libya, noting that he will
never support a country that trained Gambians like members of the July 22
movement 'to come back home and perpetuate death on other Gambians'.
Tribalism Col. Sillah alleged that there is a new phenomenon in Gambian politics
which he described as 'the ugly head of tribalism'. He added that tribalism is
now rearing its head in appointments to public offices and that one wonders
whether the key strategic posts are not being allocated by tribal lineage. He
gave examples of the President being the commander in chief of the Armed forces,
followed by the Chief of Staff of the GNA, Commander of the GNA, the Secretary
of State for Interior, the Inspector General of Police, the Secretary of State
for Finance, the Secretary of State for Education, the Secretary of State for
Fisheries and several other senior positions in the regime being occupied by
people from the same tribe.
Col. Sillah also described the economic situation as being on a virtual
standstill.

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