Gambian tycoon implores Gambians to forgive and forget Jammeh’s atrocities

Former fierce critic of Ex-President Yahya Jammeh and businessman, Sillaba Samateh, has said for The Gambia to experience a true healing from the brutal 22-year-rule of Ex-President Jammeh, the nation must learn to forgive.

Sillaba Samateh however said that considering the atrocious crimes that Yahya Jammeh allegedly perpetrated against Gambians, it would be difficult to achieve a universal forgiveness for him. But Sillaba, who himself was a victim of Jammeh’s rule, was quick to emphasize that Gambians should put Jammeh in the past and focus on true reconciliation and development.

 “Jammeh made a lot of mistakes. The whole world is aware that Yahya Jammeh has indeed tormented Gambians and non-Gambians. But in the spirit of Gambianness and desire for a more cohesive Gambia and true reconciliation, we should be able to let bygones be bygones,” Sillaba told Star TV in a wide-ranging exclusive interview at his residence in Brusubi.  He added: “The Gambia needs true healing after 22 years of abuse of executive power. Citizens’ rights have been flagrantly violated with impunity. But Qur’an and history will teach us that forgiveness is the best way to deal with Jammeh’s abuse against citizens and non-citizens. We have lot of issues to deal with than spending all our resources on Jammeh.” The return of former President Yahya Jammeh from exile to lead a free life in The Gambia still generates heated public debates.

Whilst some are adamant that Jammeh should have his day in court to answer strings of allegations of abuse against him, others are of the opinion that Gambia can move on the path of reconciliation without necessarily fighting fire with fire.

President Adama Barrow recently said in a Star FM interview that he could not unilaterally make any decision on the granting of amnesty to Jammeh.  But to Sillaba Samateh, Gambians can forgive Jammeh even if they cannot forget his alleged crimes.

 “If Nelson Mandela can forgive people who made his suffer for many years, why not us?” he questioned.

Turning to the up-coming presidential election, Sillaba asserted that victory for President Adama Barrow is a forgone conclusion. He explained that the electorate are more determined to reciprocate President Barrow’s accomplishments in the restoration of democracy, promotion of peace and infrastructural development by massively voting for him in December.

According to him, Gambians are appreciative of President Barrow for reasons such as building of roads and bridges, stabilizing and improving the electricity supply, provision of medical supplies, democracy, peace and security.

Sillaba said President Barrow deserves another mandate to enable him build on the momentum of the massive development that he’s set upon in his current term in office.

Meanwhile, the business tycoon appealed to Gambians to refrain from politics of insults. He lamented that there is a rise in politically-motivated insults on the social media.

“We are Muslims and Christians and none of our religions condones insults. It’s very disheartening and terrifying to see Gambians trading insults on social media. We may have different political perspective but we are all Gambians. I think our messages should focus on policies rather than trivialities such as insults and humiliating one another.”

Sillaba said renewing President Barrow’s current mandate will bring about limitless development for the country in areas such as agriculture, health, education, infrastructure, security and the economy.