Cherno Njie Papa Faal
Your presiding over a court in the matter of two Gambians is attracting great interest globally. Those two Gambians Cherno Njie and Papa Faal along their slain colleagues by Yaya Jammeh’s army are best perceived as unsung heroes of The Gambia. Their attack to dislodge Yahya Jammeh is considered liberation. Gambians including myself feel seriously disappointed that America that the world thinks of as hope for democracy and rule of law will still charge/indict those fighting to restore democracy in a country where for more than 20 years one person holds everyone hostage. Gambia is ruled by the most tyrannical ruler ever to grace the western part of Africa.
As a serving naval officer of Her Majesty Navy of the United Kingdom and a veteran of two wars (Iraq 2008/9 and Afghanistan 2011). Serving a nation who has a permanent seat in the security council like the USA it deems fit to help the suffering people of The Gambia and every nation that’s being ruled by a brutal dictator. I know for certain your government doesn’t listen to the online radios we have (Freedomnewpaper, faturadio, kibaaro radio) just to name a few. It’s the only medium we have to express our dissatisfaction about the maltreatment, misrule, impunity, arbitrary arrest, torture , disappearance without trace, corrupt judges and where due dispensation is largely compromised to suit whims and caprices of a relentless brutal dictator. That is what Gambia is faced with for over 20 years.
Myself and many right thinking Gambians strongly reasoned out clearly that these two unsung heroes of The Gambia are only exercising their right to bring about peace and tranquility to a nation denied such rights that America wants the world to enjoy. They left behind their families and good life to risk everything they have knowing their timely death can be met along the way. According to the FBI report handed over to the department of justice its clearly stated, the men had no intention to shoot, kill , destroy any property belonging to either the state or individuals of The Gambia. With that said I see no compelling reason why these men should be prosecuted but rather the case dismissed outright.
If I may remind you sir, the dictator himself in 2011 with interview with the BBC focus on Africa clearly state that, I quote ( any government or individual who wants to take him out of power shall do so by taking up arms to dialogue him). With that said I believe the individuals are acting upon invitation by the president to dialogue him through arms struggle but not political means. President Jammeh stated over Gambia radio and TV that elections will not take him from power. He said with emphasis that anyone thinking of unseating him has to use guns as he did. Sir, you may like to take into account the fact as president when Jammeh invited decent citizens to dislodge him by force of arms as he did in July 1994 he was serious about that. No responsible will address a nation in that way. If you are following developments since this December 30 foiled coup, President Jammeh insists he will teach those involved with painful lesson. That of course includes even those framed up by thugs of the regime.
Against this background and in order that America will not be seen sending wrong signals to a dictator I plead with your highest chair to pardon the said men with bail.
By a Concerned Gambian
Source: Faturadio