Gambia’s government says it takes seriously details of a secret audio recording in which ex-President Yahya Jammeh revealed his plans to return to the country.
The government has condemned the conversation the ex-leader had with officials of his party which is now in opposition.
An audio recording of former Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh in a phone call with some politicians has gone viral.
What did Jammeh say?
Jammeh was heard speaking to some members of the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) party.
The 10-minute audio recording was between Yahya Jammeh and a senior APRC figure, Yankuba Colley.
Jammeh in the audio was heard saying “What I wish for The Gambia would come to fruition.
I have once told Gambians that they will not know who I am until I leave that country”. He also said, “Neither man nor (spirit) can stop me from coming back to The Gambia”.
Those comments have made the government uncomfortable as it senses an attempt to undermine the security of Gambia.
In a statement on Thursday the government said, “The leaked tape… revealed in significant detail the former President’s desperate efforts to stay politically relevant in The Gambia, even as his trail of terror and economic crimes are being cased for potential criminal prosecution”.
The statement also said “In characteristic Yaya Jammeh style, the former leader, made highly charged political statements laced with dark innuendoes and Quaranic references, that he will miraculously return to power one day.
In the light of these developments and aware of ex-President Jammeh’s dark record of: state-orchestrated disappearances, kidnappings, murders and incommunicado detentions, routine torture and incarcerations of perceived political enemies, journalists and members of the armed and security forces, the general public is reminded that Government takes these comments very seriously and will act accordingly and decisively.”
The government also called “on the International Community particularly ECOWAS, AU, EU, and the UN as well as the Government of Equatorial Guinea, to take note with all the attention required of the subversive efforts and mal-intentions of the former Gambian leader.”
APR reaction
APRC spokesman, Dodou Jah says some in the party are unhappy about the leaked audio.
Jah says Jammeh made the phone call to reject reports that he had “suffered a stroke and cannot even talk”.
“This audio has proven that Jammeh is healthy as he could be heard laughing and cracking jokes during his discussion with the APRC executive members,” Jah added.
Yahya Jammeh was forced out of power in 2017 after losing the 2016 presidential election.
He refused to exit power and had to be forced out into exile in Equatorial Guinea by ECOWAS.
Yahya Jammeh is accused of many human rights abuses while in power. He has also been blamed for many killings and disappearances. Many have called for him to be returned to Gambia to face prosecution.
Source: Africafeeds.com
