An extremely vicious crime. I have much respect for Koro's father, who just
refuses to give up and continues to press the perpetrators of this crime for
answers.
It is also absolutely disgraceful that the government will not show this man
some type of common decency by responding to his letters. Its not like what
happend to Koro Ceesay is not an open secret to most Gambians.
I do not even recall there ever being an investigation into the matter.
Six years after minister's mysterious death Koro's father still demands
investigations
Gov't maintains wall of silence Sainey Ceesay, father of Ousman Koro Ceesay,
the late Finance Minister in the defunct AFPRC junta who was found burnt
under the most mysterious circumstances exactly six years today has renewed
his demand for an investigation into his death by the government. Mr. Ceesay
who thought the government should live up to its six-year old promise to
thoroughly investigate Koro Ceesay's mysterious death said he is still
looking forward to a postmortem report, explaining how his son died when his
charred body was found in his official car, which was also burnt near Jambur
in Kombo South. The incident was said to have happened soon after the
minister was seen as part of a high-profile escort at the Banjul
International Airport as President Jammeh was being seen off to Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia for an African summit in 1995. Koro's father a retired school master
Saturday morning told The Independent that despite efforts by the family
through correspondence addressed to the government to investigate and unravel
the mystery surrounding their son's death, the government has been silent.
"But as far as the family is concerned, the situation remains the same and
since his death in June 23, 1995 no developments had taken place on the part
of the government to investigate my son's death as was promised," a still
distraught Sainey Ceesay said. He also said that attempts were being made by
the aggrieved family to remind the government about its promise to the family
and the entire nation. He said it is frustrating that the government has not
bothered to respond to the Ceesay family's request even though it was clear
to all that Koro Ceesay died while on the active service of the state, which
owes Gambians an explanation. "No stone will be left unturned to unearth the
truth," he vowed. He said calls by the government to members of the public to
come forth as potential witnesses to his son's death are out of place. "It is
strange to unburden the whole situation on the people. It is a most unusual
way of getting into the business of unraveling the details," he said. Mr.
Ceesay said if the death of one Mr. Sey in the United Kingdom, could spur the
government into action, issuing a release and asking the British government
through the British High Commission here to immediately investigate and
report Mr. Sey's death why could it not do the same for a man who was working
for the state when he died mysteriously. Mr. Ceesay said he couldn't
understand the government's lack of interest in the death of the minister,
which occurred in The Gambia. He added that during the late minister's
funeral, members of the AFPRC government were introduced to the late
minister's sisters whose education was being sponsored by him. They were then
attending Gambia Senior Secondary School. The old school master said the
death of his son has caused hardship to his family who he said were robbed of
their benefactor. Meanwhile debates in several sittings of the National
Assembly had gravitated around the issue of Koro's death, with opposition
politicians demanding a government-led investigation in the interest of
justice and transparency. In the streets Gambians have been confused over
Koro's death, the mystery of which had entertained some theory of foul play
against the late minister whose death came just days before the annual budget
speech, which he was supposed to deliver. A 35-year-old man, who claimed that
he knew the late minister since childhood said he is not totally convinced
that the death of Ousman Koro Ceesay will ever be investigated. "We are not
nursery school kids, we are fully aware of events… How can any investigations
take place when those who are supposed to beat the drum are in fact sitting
on it,?" he asked.
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