Saihou Mballow
By Buba Gagigo
Saihou Mballow, Special Adviser on Political Affairs to President Adama Barrow, has stated that former President Yahya Jammeh’s return to The Gambia will provide an opportunity for victims of his regime to seek justice.
“We don’t take his audio as anything serious because President Adama Barrow is a Democrat; he respects the rule of law, and he has not denied anybody from returning to this country. Since he came to power, he has never tortured anyone and has never killed anybody. But if you commit a crime and leave the country, if you come back, the law will take its cause. Former President Jammeh announcing he will come back is just like saying amen to a prayer because a lot of former President Yahya Jammeh’s victims want justice, and they didn’t still have justice,” Saihou Mballow said.
The Special Adviser emphasized that the quest for justice is not only for Gambian victims, but also for many others outside the country.
“Among them are 59 West African migrants who disappeared under Jammeh’s regime. Their families deserve the opportunity to seek justice. Additionally, the tragic deaths of children on April 10-11 still remain unresolved. Those affected are also seeking justice. It’s not only Yahya Jammeh who holds the answers. People like Alagie Ceesay and Ebou Jobe, American citizens who vanished in The Gambia, also deserve justice. The U.S. government reached out to Jammeh multiple times, but there was no response. If Jammeh’s return makes it possible for these families to receive justice, then that is a positive step,” Mballow told journalist Mariama Jallow.
He clarified that the issue is not between President Barrow and Yahya Jammeh, but between Jammeh and the victims, both in The Gambia and abroad.
“President Barrow and his government would be pleased to see Jammeh return, as it would give him the opportunity to face justice or apologize to the Gambian people for his actions. It is ultimately Jammeh’s decision on how he proceeds, but we strongly believe that justice for the victims must be a priority,” Mballow concluded.