Gambia’s main opposition leader Alhagie Lawyer Ousainou Darboe has safely arrived in Gambia late this afternoon despite alleged threats of arrest and detention by security officials. Mr. Darboe who was on a long visit to the United States to meet family and party supporters was scheduled to return to the Gambia on Sunday October 6th, 2013.
However, while Mr. Darboe was away an executive member and former accountant General Amadou Sanneh along with three others were arrested and detained on accusation that they forged would be asylum application in Finland. They were repeatedly paraded on national television, forced to confess and asked for clemency.
Mr. Darboe’s return generated more publicity when the Government made a divisive statement on national television accusing the United Democratic Party (UDP) of being a Mandinka tribe party who wants to divide the country and help its’ supporters gain political asylum in the West. This statement angered party militants and Gambian dissidents who organized a conference call to rally support for the opposition leader.
UDP militants on the ground organized a rousing welcome for their party leader hiring fleece of vehicles to transport supporters to and from the airport to escort Mr. Darboe. Many people feared that Mr. Darboe was going to be arrested and which was going to trigger confrontation with security personnel. Reports and pictures on social media shows a rousing welcome for Mr. Darboe up to his residents in Faraja. Pictures show his home crowed with supporters.
Gambian’s were relieved that the anticipated confrontation has been averted for now which is allegedly associated with possible resistance from opposition supporters and Gambian dissidents who got on the phones to raise over $2,000 to support any crack down on opposition supporters. Mr. Darboe is anticipated to visit the detained UDP executive who is yet to be charged with any crimes. Supporters still anticipate some form of confrontation if the government refuse Mr. Darboe the chance to visit Amadou Sanneh.