Politics

Gambia’S Criminal Justice System Liquidates Amadou Sanneh

Written by Suntou Touray on

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Darboe-Promises-a-Formidable-New-Leader-For-UDP~~element78“Amadou Sanneh was Jailed by the criminal justice system to prevent him becoming potential UDP leader.” Lawyer Darboe

Leader of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), Ousainou Darboe, has said that his party will proffer a new candidate for 2016 presidential elections who will be “more formidable” than he (Darboe) ever was. He however stopped short of mentioning the name for now, arguing that it may endanger the person somehow…

Speaking to The Standard over the weekend, Mr Darboe said: “Come 2016, you will see a candidate more formidable than myself. I can assure you that. UDP is not a party that is individual-based, or personality-based. It is a party that has deep roots throughout the country. We have membership both within and outside the country, from the ranks of which we have very formidable candidates.”

The lawyer-cum-politician is more than 65 years, which according to the laws of The Gambia, disqualifies him from contesting the presidency, something he called “abominable”. Asked to give names of such “formidable candidates” within his party ranks that are capable of succeeding him as new candidate, Darboe maintained: “Let me just say that we have members from the senior executive who are capable of succeeding me – both from outside the country and those that are here. I do not wish to mention any names…
Asked why he isn’t willing to reveal such names, the UDP leader said: “Because that may jeopardise their positions… take for example, one of our very promising members: Word was going around that he is a possible successor; you have seen how the criminal justice system has been misused to get at him,” he said, referring to Amadou Sanneh, a chartered accountant and an executive member of the UDP who was convicted of issuing supporting documents to asylum seekers.
“We do not want that to happen to others. Obviously he [Amadou Sanneh] has all the ingredients [to become my successor as presidential candidate]… Yes, I can tell you that [… his conviction] has something to do with it,” said Darboe.
 

8 Comments

  1. Lafia Touray la Manju
    4 April 2014 at 12:00

    I do not think Amadou Sanneh was going to be a candidate anyway. Darboe is from Bansang. How can his successor come from Babsang too? Amadou’s case is just a very unfortunate one

  2. Burama Sanneh
    4 April 2014 at 14:40

    So you are insinuating that Darbo being a Bansangka disqualifes constitutionally any potential Gambian just because the person also comes from the same village. Come again my brother because you dealing with a very sensitive issue here. I need clarification please

  3. F.KInteh Darboe
    4 April 2014 at 14:45

    Please let us focus on the bigger picture. It doesn’t matter where the person is from as long as they are Gambian and they have the capabilities Gambians are looking for from a leader. The last time I looked at the map of the Gambia, Bansang was part of the Gambia so let us focus on replacing the dictator with a qualified, and experience leader who is a democrat. I for one believe that we shouldn’t limit ourselves by focusing on where the individual is from but what can they do for the Gambia and its people. Thank you.

  4. jason Miller
    4 April 2014 at 17:06

    the best and the brightest should lead, regardless of tribe or region. It is high time to elevate our style of thinking. Lets elect a democrat and empower civil institutions to make sure no one can abuse power ever again.

  5. Lafia Touray la Manju
    4 April 2014 at 17:28

    Look, this guy is in prison for no good reason and I don’t want to saying anything that would taint my unqualified sympathy for him but it would not have been wise to choose a guy from Bansang.

    Amadou would not be interested anyway. My last comment on this.

    Thanks

  6. Lafia Touray la Manju
    4 April 2014 at 17:37

    Any Darboe’s did not say Amadou was going to be a candidate but only people saw him as a potential one and that was this rumour mongering that eventually made him a target of the regime. He was not a candidate in waiting. I hope this rest the matter to peace.

    Thanks

  7. Lafia Touray la Manju
    4 April 2014 at 17:39

    Anyway, Darboe did not say Amadou was going to be a candidate but only that people saw him as a potential one and it was this rumour mongering that eventually made him a target of the regime. He was not a candidate in waiting. I hope this rest the matter to peace.

    Thanks

  8. Lafia Touray la Manju
    4 April 2014 at 17:40

    They said the same thing about Mai Fatty until he left the country.