By: Bakary Ceesay
Ousainou Darboe, leader of United Democratic Party, UDP has said that: “If defending and standing up for my country means going to jail, then I am ready to die for The Gambia”
Darboe, former vice President told a political rally on Saturday in Wellingara that: “I heard them asking as to whether I want to go back to jail; well if defending and standing up for my country means going to jail, then I am ready to die for The Gambia,”
After 30 months in office, UDP leader has also observed that The Gambia is heading toward another dictatorial rule, similar to the 22 years of former Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh.
“The culture of dictatorial rule is tiptoeing in the New Gambia. I on Gambian to resist any form of authoritarian rule,” he told supporters.
According to him, in today Gambia under President Adama Barrow leadership, what is happening is not encouraging in agreement to the values and sacrifices made by Gambians as nation to removed Jammeh from power.
Darboe pointed out that difference between the Jammeh administration and that of coalition leader Barrow’s is not much, noting that Executive Orders are still being directed to target government workers suspected to be sympathetic to the opposition.
He adds that workers are being fired under the directives of the President Adama Barrow, a move he strongly condemned.
“This was not what we fought for. We did not fought Jammeh because he is from Foni. We did not fought Jammeh because he is a Jolla. We fought Jammeh based on principles. One of our main outcries during Jammeh’s rule was the abuse of Executive Orders. Here we are witnessing a similar trend happening in the new Gambia,” Darboe told UDP supporters
Darboe further stressed that the TRRC “Never Again” chant will land in the dustbin of history, if Gambians do not stand up to be counted to stop what he described the “future tyranny” developing in the country.
“There are signs indicating that The Gambia is at risk of returning one man rule,” he noted.
He added: “I heard them asking as to whether I want to go back to jail; well if defending and standing up for my country means going to jail, then I am ready to die for The Gambia. This is our country. We cannot afford another dictatorship. It should be the duty of every patriotic citizen to fight tyranny in any form.”
The professional lawyer, Darboe made it strong that the UDP as a party is not advocating for the removal of the Barrow government.
Darboe warned the executive and membership of UDP or supporter, not to joins any group to advocate for three years “jotna” saying that anyone catch in such act he or she is not representing the party.
He pointed out that if the UDP as a party decides to take a position on the matter, the party will communicate Gambians, stressing that UDP is not part of any group calling for the removal of the present government.
Addressing his supporters, commended Justice Minister Tambadou for the measures his Ministry has taken in regards to the Janneh Commission report.
He urged not stop at employing an interim measure, but implementation of the Janneh Commission report will make the government credible.
