Sheikh Sedia Bayo, prominent French-Gambian human rights activist disclosed that he has no political ambition and he is in the country to promote peaceful democracy in the quest to consolidate defeat of dictatorship.
Speaking to the press at Jembe Beach Hotel in Kololi, he said his mission in the country is to launch his “caravan for peace and democracy for 2021”. “I am not here to form a political party neither to critize the government, but I am here to launch a caravan” he said.
According to him, he is committed to helping the country [Gambia] “to restore peace and democracy” saying he is not greedy and selfish despite his political ambition”.
“What I am seeing now in The Gambia, I don’t have the will to create a political party… not now,” he concluded.
Bayo, who founded the National Transitional Council for The Gambia Movement in 2012 at Dakar, said it was aimed at mobilizing international campaign to denouncing alleged gross human rights violations under the regime of ex-president Jammeh.
He also presented an award given to him by the European Parliament for his untiring efforts in the strengthening of democracy in Africa.
“This award has been given to me by the European Parliament among a pool of applicants from thirteen nominees across Africa. I want to dedicate it to my country (The Gambia) and my fellow citizens who made it possible,” former farce critic of Dictator Yahya Jammeh revealed.
According to him, his coming to the country is not anchored on any political interest or finding political opportunities but rather based on his desire to contributing meaningfully towards the development of the country, adding that Gambians should be more focus on development agendas than political activities.
“My coming here is to present this award to my people, but not for political purpose. It’s time for every Gambian to put hands on the deck to promote and attract development for this country as it’s not yet time for political campaign which is 2021,” Bayo disclosed.
He said the Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission is a good initiative launched by the Barrow administration and will go a long way in the restoration of democracy and indeed, as part of healing process and national development.
Bayo said his defiance against Jammeh’s regime was orchestrated by series of rights abuses meted on Gambians who has the power to challenge dictatorship, adding that the 9 death row inmates who where killed by Jammeh and his notorious Jungulars plus the killings meted on Mahawa Cham among others gave him the spirit to challenge him.
Bayo paid homage to Gambians who sustained all sort of sufferings during the struggle against dictatorship, noted that he personally had lost friends and family members during the time largely due to fear.
He said Gambians must exercise patience with the current regime in a bit for them to carryout their program of activities, noting that if they failed to deliver ,2021 will open another window of opportunity to effect another peaceful change.
However, Bayo said his caravan for peace and democracy for 2021will include the security forces, religious leaders, community leaders, political parties, youth, and international institutions to preach peace and democracy as a means to contributing to the sustainability of peace and democracy in the country.
The caravan, Bayo said will mobilize possible ‘investment’ for the country and that it will prioritise education, agriculture, youth employment, healthcare, and sports.
Author: Kebba Ansu Manneh & Adama Makasuba
