By: Nyima Sillah
According to the news trending, the family members of former President Yahya AJJ Jammeh Babili Mansa last Friday has shown their dismay over the alliance of National People’s Party and Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction.
Their dismay become obvious after a visit made by President Adama Barrow to the Kanilai village, home town of ex-president of The Gambia, on Thursday where he did met with the family of the former president Jammeh for a closed door meeting.
According to some of the family members, the alliance between the two parties has brought a division among the Jammeh, Kujabi and Bojang families. “These are the families that surround Jammeh and there is a serious feud and bitterness amongst us. We the young ones will never allow this to exist between us because of Barrow. We say no to alliance with NPP,” a family member said.
The family member also disclosed that President Barrow had a closed-door meeting with some Jammeh’s family members in Kanilai that even his bodyguards were not allowed in. Adding that, Barrow reportedly tried to clear himself off the pillaging of Jammeh’s assets and property.
However, Gambia’s former president Yahya Jammeh has also reacted angrily by specifically warning elders to tell Pa Bojang and General Lang Tombong Tamba to immediately desist from using his name in any political gatherings.
According to the family source Jammeh had said “I have no business with them and I have never communicated with either of them with regards to anything they are claiming of my plight. I will speak to The Gambia people in November.” Added that the sovereignty of the country shouldn’t be compromised and “I will direct my supporters to vote for a party that will salvage the country from foreign occupation,” the family source said president Jammeh advised that whilst speaking to family members in Kanilai on Friday.
Meanwhile, the exact time and day for Jammeh to address the nation is not certain but one of the family member familiar with the former President said: “I can tell you that Jammeh will surprise the nation in his much awaited speech next month.”