Photo: Chairman Abdou Njie

3 Years Jotna Chair Says President Barrow Is Incompetent

By Ousman A. Marong

Abdou Njie, the chairman of Operation 3 Years Jotna has described President Barrow as an incompetent leader who is incapable and unfit to govern The Gambia.

According to him, Operation 3 Year Jonta never threatened to take to the streets without a permit from the police as claimed.

He made the deliberation at a press conference at his Tallinding residence organized by his movement following their denial to hold a fundraiser by the police on Friday evening, January 3, 2020, at B.O. Semega Janneh hall at Tallinding.

Operation 3 Years Jotna is a movement demanding for President Barrow’s resignation as he had promised to honor the coalition 2016 agreement that brought him to power.

The group demands that President Barrow should tell the nation why he should not respect the agreement.

It could be recalled that on Friday, May 10, 2019, up to 15 members of the same movement, 8 women and 7 men were arrested at Kololi near Senegambia.

They were charged with unlawful assembly among others but let alone after charges were subsequently dropped.

However, the movement on December 16, 2019, organized a massive peaceful protest that drew thousands of people who took to the street from Sting Corner at Old Jeshwang to Denton Bridge.

“We did what is expected of us. The onus is now on the police to grant us a permit or not,” said Abdou Njie, adding that Operation 3 Years Jotna is neither a threat to national security nor a rebellious group.

“We are never a threat to national security nor are we threatening anybody. There were instances when the whole nation was in constant fear. There had been armed security personnel all over the country including Ecomig soldiers. This did not stop Gambians from defending their constitutional rights until the dictator was ousted. Why should Gambians fear now when they had mustered courage during the days of dictatorship? The truth is that President Barrow cannot rule this country and let him relinquish power,” said Njie.

He alleged that President Barrow is mobilizing people who referred to themselves as Gambia for Five Years.He said the president is doing this just to cling onto power.

“What is preventing Barrow for Five Years (now the Gambia for Five Years) from taking to the streets? Let them try it and see if they will be able to pull the kind of a crow we have attracted. President Barrow should know better that one cannot go into the wrestling field without been properly prepared. If you do that your opponents will wrestle you to the ground,” he said.

He said Gambians should not take President Barrow seriously anymore, simply because he made endless promises to Gambians without fulfilling them.

“What do you make of a president who tells his people that a bag of rice costs D900 which is contrary to the fact? We are in a wrestling competition with President Barrow where he or Operation 3 Years Jotna, one must fall,” he said.

Pro Gambia Association Urge President Barrow to Maintain Peace In The Gambia

PHOTO: Members of Pro Gambia Association (Photo Credit Nelson Manneh)

By Ousman A. Marong

The president of Pro-Gambia Association, Momodou Bah has called on President Adama Barrow to do everything possible to ensure the prevalence of peace and stability in the country.
He reminded the Gambian leader that the security of the citizens is in his hands.
Bah was speaking at a recent press conference at Sinchu Baliya in connection with the 3 years coalition agreement which has dominated the country’s political burning issues of the day.
President Barrow who defeated former President Yahya Jammeh in the December 1, 2016 presidential election as an independent candidate had agreed to serve as transitional president for 3 years to consolidate democracy and create a level playing field for parties to contest elections.
It could be recalled that the agreement was reached following the formation of Coalition 2016 comprising seven political parties and an independent, Dr. Isatou Touray who is the current Vice President.
“We don’t know and we cannot say he will be here for three years or five years. That is not our problem. Our problem or concerned is let him do what is in the best interest of the country. This is what we were asking for, and we will continue the work we are doing and we will engage the political parties and civil society involved in promoting peace in the country,” he stated.
He reminded the president to do his level best to make sure that peace and stability are maintained in this country.
He said the security of each person in the country is in the hands of the president, urging him to ensure that both Gambians and non-Gambians are safe.
Bah said it is common knowledge that something is brewing, which he likened to the situation in the 2016 election when everybody was afraid that there is going to be chaos in the country.
He added that his association stood their ground to make sure that they participated in making sure the election was peaceful, free and fairs.
He further said they were able to observe the elections and went everywhere to make sure that they preach peace, stating which was why they gained the recognition of the Independent Electoral Commission.
He continued: “We have seen demonstrations and violent conduct between the citizenry. We are not saying that the government is wrong or right or some sections of the citizens is right or wrong, but we are calling for a form of negotiation. This is why we urge people to come together as President Adama Barrow and Coalition 2016 stakeholders promised a 3-year and that was what people voted for.
He recalled that President Barrow reiterated the 3-year transition term at the end of which he will step down as widely published in the media.
He intimated that when they see any sign that indicates or make them believe that the president is not going to step down after 3 years then there is a problem, adding that is a refusal to honor a promise that he should honor.
“We are not an association or a group that would force him to honor his promise, but can work with him to do what is in the best interest of the country,” said Pro-Gambia Association’s president.
He observed that there are other groups that are not happy with the situation and ready to take to the streets to express their grievances.
Shedding light on his association’s major concern, Bah said there are other people who are ill-intentioned and waiting for the situations to create chaos which they are resolute to prevent, citing situations in Libya, Sudan and other countries.
He showed their interest and preparedness to engage political leaders, security forces, civil society, religious leaders in order to maintain peace and stability in the country, recalling the significant role they played during the political impasse that marred the 2016 presidential election.
He explained that Pro-Gambia Association is not a pro-opposition or pro-government but Pro-Gambia that sponsored their own members.