Information reaching this medium has revealed the dismissals of two district chiefs by the Ministry of Lands and Regional Governance in the past two weeks.
The District Chiefs of Kombo South and Kombo East in the persons of Sheriffo Hajai Janneh and Basiru Jarju were reportedly removed from their posts. They were replaced by Lamin Darboe of Gunjur and Bakary Sanyang of Faraba Bantang.
The newly appointed chiefs served their positions before their removal by the former president Yahya Jammeh. Bakary Sanyang of Faraba was removed shortly after the 1994 coup. He has reportedly spent over two decades in exile.
Speaking to the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Lands and Regional Governance, Mr. Buba Sanyang who confirmed the removal of the two chiefs said the decision came shortly before the Muslim Feast of Eidul-Adha locally known as ‘Tobaski’.
When asked about the reason for their removal he said: “It is the prerogative of the Minister to change chiefs when the need arises”.
Sanyang went further to reveal that the intention of the ministry is to seek public opinion on the mode of selection for district chiefs and village heads, this he said will enable them to know whether the people would prefer traditional inheritance or elections.
“That is the best way people can feel connected to their leaders,” he asserted.
When asked about the new demarcated districts without chiefs such as Brikama North, Sanementereng and Old Yundum among others, he said the ministry is aware of the districts without chiefs but they are working on filling them up.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary did not say if the broom would sweep other parts of the country particularly the ones handpicked by the former president.
