The Independent Published Friday, December 14, 2001
Jammeh makes conciliatory gesture Sir Dawda given unconditional amnesty
Using the occasion of his inauguration to declare a period of compromise
among Gambians President Yahya Jammeh has given unconditional amnesty to
former President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara. President Jammeh declared during
his swearing-in ceremony for a second term in office Friday that the man he
ousted seven years ago can return home from exile with his family promising
that his government would provide them full security and protection. He
noted that although the former president is in what he called self-imposed
exile, many people have been blaming him (Jammeh) for the situation. He said
his overture towards Jawara was an indication that the ousted Gambian leader
was free to come home as a free citizen. He said that Jawara’s exile in
Britain was no benefit for anybody not least The Gambia.
Yesterday Jawara was a president, people respected him, today he is not, but
he should respect the authority. Rightly or wrongly, he has contributed to
this country’s development” Jammeh pointed out, emphasizing that his coup on
July 22 994 was not personally directed against Jawara, but was staged in
the interest of development and national unity. He maintained that their
love and care for Gambians was the commanding impulse for the putsch, which
made them soldiers with a difference. He described the coup as peculiar in
the sense that it was the only coup that took place on the continent
“without even a dog dying.
He urged Gambians to put their differences behind them and rally together to
actualize the aims and objectives of Vision 2020 adding that his next five
year in office would be years of hard work in view of changes in the
international arena since the September 11 terrorist attack in America.
President Jammeh made plain his hatred for Islamic fundamentalists,
describing them as non-Muslims, anti-human and saboteurs using Islam, an
otherwise noble religion to maim and kill innocent people. Vilifying the
terrorist attack on September 11 he remarked that Gambians do not see any
rationale for the destruction of innocent lives in the name of Islam or
Christianity. “Nobody or institution for that matter will be allowed to
jeopardize the harmony, peace and tranquility that prevail in this country.
Gambia has always been welcoming to all peoples and will continue to welcome
them to live with us as long as their stay will not threaten our peace and
stability. You are free as long as your freedom does not trample on others,
as there is no excuse for criminal behaviour in ECOWAS policies,” he stated.
He argued that the nation could not forge ahead and be proud of herself when
the sub-region is on fire. The Gambia, he said, would contribute to the
peace and stability of the whole world as it has respect for humanity and
cannot be an island of its own. He therefore called on Gambians to forget
the past and a government that most of us supported seven years ago but was
no more. “We are not perfect for no system is perfect. One is bound to make
mistakes and would like people to forgive them of their wrongs as they would
also forgives others who wronged them.
Our greatness lies on our ability to forgive each other,” he stated.
President Jammeh finally swore that he would abide by the laws and
constitution of The Gambia without fear or favour. The swearing-in ceremony
was conducted by His lordship, Chief Justice Michael Felix Lartey at the
Independence Stadium before thousands of spectators. The invited guests who
were present at the occasion included Presidents Tijan Kaba of Sierra Leone,
Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Kumba Yala of Guinea Bissau, Alpha Omar Konare
of Mali, Seed Ahmad Oul Taya of Mauritania and John Kuffour of Ghana. Other
international dignitaries were the Vice President of China on Taiwan,
Senegalese Foreign and Interior Ministers and members of the diplomatic
community.
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