The Fatajo Kunda family of Batabut Kantora, Sanchaba Sulay Jobe, Badibu Salikenni and elsewhere respectively are hereby humbly asking the media fraternity and human right defenders to add their voices and efforts in rescuing Mr. Siaka Fatajo who went missing without trace in Karunorr village in Foni Kansala district since Monday 27th February 2017.
Siaka Fatajo, 52 has 2 wives and 11 children, a businessman and ardent supporter of the opposition coalition and coalition government. He became an arch enemy of APRC supporters in Foni especially Batabut Kantora, where he was born and bred, known as home and contributed towards its development, just because of his political stance and inclination towards the opposition under Jammeh’s rule. Prior to 2016 presidential elections, according Siaka before his disappearance, he was confronted at a village meeting summoned by the Alkalo of Batabut Kantora that since the election was nearing, the meeting was meant to counsel the villagers to vote for APRC in order to preserve prominent positions occupied by some members of the community and voting against Jammeh meant not wishing the village well/you are a bad citizen of the village. Similar sentiments were echoed by many other speakers and fingers were pointed at him, being known opposition figure, as if the meeting was purposely called for him to be confronted. The speakers agitated the gathering with emotions and imbued anger in them against him.
When Adama Barrow was declared the winner of the presidential election, Siaka and his family were involved in two police cases with the villagers due to politics.
Siaka left Batabut Kantora on Monday 27th February 2017 before noon to attend a 40th day charity which he was informed of on the 25th February when he initially visited Karunorr village. This was the last time he was seen or heard from by the family and since then frantic efforts have been made by the family about his whereabouts, but to no avail. We have been informed that Siaka has been held by the Casamance rebels at the border and we believe that he is been sold out to them by his political enemies.
The matter was first reported at Sibanor and Bwiam police stations in the first week of the incident and one arrest was made and the guy was freed. Police used community leaders with involvement of the chiefs of Foni Bintang Karanai and Foni Kansala with some alkalos to go to Karunorr and the environs for any information, but came back with conflicting and implicative report, but nothing has been done. After several months of going and coming to Sibanor Police Station without any result, the matter was brought to the police headquarters in Banjul where we made several trips to ask for the whereabouts of Siaka before meeting the then IGP, who with his senior staff renewed their commitment in our presence, but to no avail after wards. On the 27th of November 2017 after nine months unsuccessful outcome, a letter was written and addressed to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice through the Solicitor General and Legal Secretary, informing him of the incident and steps taken and requested for their help, but to no avail. About a month ago the matter was lastly reported at the SIS unit of the State House for their intervention, but the outcome is still negative.
All these have culminated into family economic hardship and insecurity as the head of the family and the breadwinner has gone missing without trace for 11 months now. Also, the family doesn’t have faith any more in the institutions we were engaging to rescue/recover Siaka without the personal intervention of HE Adama Barrow.
Therefore due to the foregoing facts, and HE Adama Barrow being the principal protector of lives and properties in The Gambia, the family is left with no other option but compelled to ask him to recue Siaka Fatajo or least know what had happened to him and demands justice.
Signed by
Jainaba Saidy, Wife to Siaka Fatajo
Saikou Maffuge Fatajo, Cousin to Siaka Fatajo
Ends