Gambia For All party has condemned the government action for using armed police as an attempt to forcefully reinstall Ms Sainabou Martin Sonko to office.
The opposition party’s statement came few hours after pickup full with armed personnel of the Gambia Police Intervention Unit known as PIU were on Monday deployed to Kanifing Municipal Council to forcefully reinstate the council’s suspended CEO over corruption allegation.
“GFA is very concerned at the escalation of tension between the Ministry of Local Government and the Kanifing Municipal Council. What started as a purported attempt to deal with an issue of Official corruption within the municipality, by the suspension of an official of the council, is seemingly moving into a phase of armed intervention by the executive to resolve an issue that is purely an administrative matter,” the party said in a statement obtained by The Voice.
“Both parties involved are reminded that the issue of official corruption is the number one concern of the majority of Gambians. It has gotten so serious that it is beginning to tarnish the country’s international reputation, and thereby affecting our relations with key development partners.
“We are cautioning both parties to allow due process to take its course, and to avoid any further escalation that will derail the little progress achieved by the good people of this country, in maintaining a responsible and accountable government, post 22 years of military dictatorship,” it added.
“All actions taken to resolve this matter should be measured and proportionate, taking into account the best interest of the taxpayers of the municipality. GFA will unreservedly condemn any attempt by any arm of government to use unlawful force in implementing policy.”
Meanwhile, dozens of Gambians took to social media to express their dismay about the issue, as some defended the KMC for suspending Ms Sonko while others supported the action of the Ministry of Local Government and Lands.