US based Gambian activist Basamba Njol Drammeh has told The Voice newspaper that despite all insults ranted on him and fellow Sarahuleh rights activist, they will not relent until slavery is seen to be ended in both words and actions among the Sarahuleh societies.
Speaking from his base in US, where he confirmed giving President Barrow a letter urging him to intervene in quelling the heighten caste tensions gripping the Sarahuleh communities dotted along the country.
“I have been receiving series of threatening messages from many Sarahuleh who do not share my positions on the caste system. They are meant to silence me but I am not moved until when there is no more slavery in the Sarahuleh communities,” Basamba Njol Drammeh disclosed.
On September 24, 2018; Basamba Njol Drammeh has delivered a letter to President Adama Barrow on the sidelines of the United Nation (UN) general assembly urging Barrow to put a stop to the caste system that is spurring tensions among the Sarahuleh communities.
His letter which got leaked courtesy of some of his group members went viral prompting series of reactions from both home and abroad.
“Yes I did deliver a letter to President Barrow to take swift actions in addressing the looming tensions among the Sarahuleh communities relative to the caste system,” Basamba affirmed to Voice on the alleged letter he authored and handily delivered to President Barrow.
He said that he is not a member of Gambana movement, a radical Sarahuleh Movement that vows to end slavery among the Sarahuleh communities across the sub region.
“I am neither Gambana member nor an associate member but I am against any form of slavery meted on a group of people,” he told the Voice. According to him, if The Gambia government pay heed to his letter the death and burning down of a compound would not have taken place at Garawol, adding that his letter was intended to send a warning signal to Gambian authorities knowing that the discrimination endue by the slave caste cannot stand in modern day Gambia.
He said the slave caste have been subjected to all forms of discrimination among the Sarahuleh communities which the young generation will not take for granted.
“I am disappointed that the president got the opportunity to discuss with the Sarahuleh leaders but never addressed the issue of the caste tensions grappling many communities in CRR and URR. If Barrow and his government continue to pay deaf ears then there could be many problems before the matter is solved,” Drammeh expressed his frustration to the lackluster attitude of the Barrow government in solving problems at the right time.
He then said both the 1970 constitution and UN convention on peoples and human rights abundantly spelled out that all humans are born free and equal, this he said should be understood by all and sundry.
Author: Kebba Ansu Manneh
