By Buba Gagigo
Hon. Almameh Gibba, the National Assembly Member for Foni Kansala, has called on the Gambian authorities to arrest Dr. Daffeh, a gynaecologist, for allegedly performing illegal “stitching” procedures on Kumba Sinyan and other women in the Gambia.
Last week, Gambian lawmakers voted to uphold a 2015 ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), rejecting a bill proposed by Hon. Gibba to overturn the law after months of heated debate and international pressure. Despite the law being upheld, Gibba claims that Dr. Daffeh continues to practice FGM in the country.
“A doctor who said he has empirical evidence that this is a harmful practice (talking of FGM/C), this is dangerous to health, but today he’s doing worse than what traditional women are doing with female circumcision. And he (Dr. Daffeh) did type three, according to the testimonies of Kumba Sinyan; who is on trial for allegedly killing her boyfriend Lamarana. For example, the law says no one should practice genital cutting in the Gambia, it does not allow any room to allow exceptions,” Gibba stated.
Gibba alleged that Dr. Daffeh performed type three FGM on Kumba Sinyan, which is against the law and condemned by the WHO. He claimed Dr. Daffeh charged, D2500 for the banned procedure.
“Kumba, in her testimony, said again that Dr. Daffeh didn’t do it to her alone. He also did it to her friend, Mariama Simo. So we don’t know If the police, the IGP, and the Minister of Justice investigated this. I am sure it will not only be two people and even if it is two people, should that be done? A law that is in place, a law that he vehemently opposed in the committee at the National Assembly. Go on YouTube, you will see his testimony claiming to show empirical evidence that he has evidence and pictures. Yet, he is stitching young women at the hospital, a government hospital; on duty time; serving the Gambian people and earning money from other services. And I want them to investigate whether he paid that money in to the government coffers,” he said.
Gibba continued; “The receipt that Kumba said she got but lost it. Let’s see what type of receipt is that. And she gave (produced) the prescription. So you see how adamant and gullible people are in terms of not speaking the truth. So today, you will go and use your whatever, after all, you are looking for monetary gain. Our ancestors; our great ‘nyangsimbas’ are not looking for a penny in this. So we are vindicated. It is already clear now; we are pushing it, and we are calling loud and clear that Dr. Daffeh; if what Kumba Sinyan has said, and it is three days ago that the lady has testified in court and even if it was fake, we could have seen him come and debunk. And he doesn’t debunk. We are asking for his arrest. If Dr. Daffeh is not arrested and jailed, then we are waiting. If you arrest my mother and my sister for only participating in her religious rites, beliefs, and culture, we will know there is bias ness”
Hon. Gibba emphasized their determination to continue their cause, stating that no intimidation will deter them.
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