Mai Fatty Vs BA Tambedou.

For those unaware this is what happened yesterday 23 March 2017

• First, Justice Minister and Attorney General, Ba Tambedou, called a press conference and criticised the haste with which the police investigated, arrested and charged the NIA 9 in the case of Solo Sandeng’s murder. The police are as we all know under the Interior Ministry.

• Then, Interior Minister Mai Fatty responded with a press release congratulating the police actions – and pointed out that if the NIA 9 had not been arrested as soon as possible they would have absconded and left the jurisdiction of The Gambia.

It is clear from social media discussions that 99% of Gambians support Mai Fatty for ensuring that these particular individuals were arrested and charged as soon as possible.

Ba Tambedou has a different approach:

• “… encouraging open discussions about the past and fostering national reconciliation through the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Any action, particularly in these early days, must be geared towards achieving that objective. Any other action that runs contrary to this spirit at this moment in time is both unwise and potentially dangerous. As leaders, we will have to make some hard choices. Difficult decisions form part of the burden of leadership. We must lead by example and at times, even lead public opinion in the supreme national interest”.

As in South Africa, “Truth and Reconciliation” may be seen by the ordinary citizens as the new rulers’ way of say “don’t rock the boat” – and may not infact offer any justice to the victims at all. In The Gambia, as in South Africa, what the victims of Yahya Jammeh’s brutality want to see is justice for the victims. And so the majority may applaud Mai Fatty for taking the steps that he did to ensure that the NIA 9 will face justice for Solo Sandeng’s murder. I think any attempt to “lead public opinion” on this matter (and let the NIA 9 go free) will end up alienating the public – something that Mai Fatty the politician is far more sensitive to than Ba Tambedou the lawyer. Lawyers don’t care about public opinion but politicians do.

In my opinion, Mai Fatty is on solid grounds in this case, but it does not end there!

Quotes from Ba Tambedou’s Press Conference (copied in full below)

Jammeh Era alleged criminals re-assured:

• Ba: “… no new criminal cases involving crimes allegedly committed by the former government will be handled by the Ministry unless they are thoroughly and comprehensively investigated …”

Police investigations to be overseen by Justice Ministry

• Ba: “It is preferable that criminal investigations and evidence collection be guided by the Justice Ministry right from the start … no new criminal cases involving crimes allegedly committed by the former government will be handled by the Ministry unless they are thoroughly and comprehensively investigated, and until the Ministry of Justice is also ready in terms of its capacity, resources, and logistical needs, and only after the approval of cabinet”

 Finally, Mai Fatty and the police warned!

• Ba: “our judiciary will be expected to assert their judicial independence and will vigorously scrutinize every piece of evidence presented by the prosecution as required in any normal criminal proceeding”.

What is gonna happen here? Will we see Mai Fatty or Ba Tambedou resigning? I think it will depend on the National Assembly Elections next month: a UDP landslide with a handful of votes for the GMC will mean Mai Fatty will solidify his position.

www.sambagate.com (March 24th, 2017)

Halifa Sallah Is No Longer Coalition Spokesperson “- Mai Fatty

By Lamin Sanyang – The Minister of Interior, Mai Ahmed Fatty has denounced Halifa Sallah as the official spokesperson of the coalition on Sunday, March 5, 2017.

“Halifa Sallah is no longer spokesperson of the coalition. Whatever he said is his opinion. He can only speak for his party, ” Mai Fatty said.

Fatty made these statements at a joint press conference held at UDP Manjai Bureau. He argued that the coalition government has already appointed Minister of Information and a Director of Press at the Office of the President. He said these are the proper authorities to speak on behalf of the coalition.

Mai Fatty who is the leader of the Gambia Moral Congress GMC has explained that the coalition of opposition parties was formed as an instrument of convenience to oust the former president from power, adding that the discussion was only confined to the removal of a dictator. He said the discussion has not covered the national assembly election. It was nothing but political convenience.

“The coalition is not a registered political party,” he pointed out.

Mr. Fatty who has lived in self-impose exiled for the past ten years during Jammeh era added that the tactical alliance formed by his party with UDP and NRP is an integral process of the coalition. He said it is meant to empower President Barrow. He said the parties opposing them are the ones undermining the presidency of Adama Barrow.

“If you go against tactical alliance it means you are going against the president which we will not allow. This is unacceptable,” he asserted.

The GMC leader emphasized that any betrayal to tactical alliance will be a support to the former dictatorship. He said other members of the coalition are expected to join them in the coming days. Mai accused social media of breaching the unity of the nation.

Meanwhile, Hamat Bah leader of NRP translated the statements in the local languages. He said he has always supported the UDP for being the largest party.

Fatunetwork.net (March 5th, 2017)