By Buba Gagigo
The APRC ‘No To Alliance’ faction has called for the release of Omar Sanneh, also known as “BAITULAI ALMAHRUSA,” by the Senegalese Security Forces. He was arrested on Friday, June 9, 2023, and ‘No To Alliance’ is demanding that he be released by June 16, 2023.
The group is also calling for the release of two other party militants, Lamin Badjie and Modou Gibba, who are currently detained at the Anti-Crime Unit in Banjulinding and Kairaba Police Station, respectively, by June 16, 2023.
“These arrests are a flagrant violation of their constitutional and an infringement of the rights of freedom of speech of the said persons as enshrined in the 1997 constitution. Cognizant of the democratic arrangements, settings, and dispensation of both states and authority, concerned states must do everything possible to immediately and unconditionally release the said persons on or before Friday 16 June 2023,” they wrote in a press statement.
They also denied the claims that BATULAI ALMAHRUSA has ties to Salifu Sarjo and the MFDC separatists of Senegal and that he was caught with ammunition.
“We also refute claims that BAITULAI ALMAHRUSA has a link with Salifu Sarjo and MFDC separatist of Senegal and claims that he was caught with ammunitions is totally false and (APRC ‘No To Alliance’) call on all the ECOWAS Heads of States to engage President Macky Sall and President Adama Barrow for the immediate and unconditional release of the said detainees.
“The APRC “BABILIMANSA” views with serious concern and condemns in its strongest terms the illegal and unlawful arrest of Omar Sanneh commonly known as “BAITULAI ALMAHRUSA” by the Senegalese Security Forces on Friday 9 June 2023 at Baragesheh, Cassamance and the arrest of two (2) other APRC militants namely Lamin Badjie currently under detention at the anti-crime unit in Banjulinding and Modou Gibba known as “GIBBA KULO” held at the Kairaba police station respectively,” they said.
They said Gambians are a people who respect the rule of law and shouldn’t have their constitutionally guaranteed rights violated, including their freedom of speech.
“…and we condemn any efforts that attempt to use any government instruments, particularly the security services, to subvert our democracies as we deserve better from the failing Sall and Barrow administration. The harassment of citizens exercising their rights in their home of abode is anti-democracy and abuse of office.
“We have also seen instances where Senegalese were arrested here in The Gambia for committing crimes and sent to be tried in Senegal, but Gambians were arrested and tried in Senegal. We demand that The Gambia government takes every step necessary to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity, lives and properties of all Gambians,” they continued.
APRC ‘No To Alliance’ said they in its totality condemn the actions of the Senegalese and Gambian Forces in the strongest terms, describing it as a mockery of The Gambia’s leadership and demand that the ECOWAS Community jointly condemn the arrests and the illegal detention of the three Gambians on both Senegalese and Gambian Soil and ensure their immediate and unconditional release without delay.
“APRC reiterates the fact that the security forces shouldn’t be used as a political instrument in any democratic society, and failure to adhere to our demands on or before the stated deadline may result in the summons of a press conference to determine the next cause of action. We assure all the three affected and their families our full solidarity and support at all costs, times, and levels and pray that our country continues to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere we are ever known for,” they concluded.