By Lamin Njie
Celebrations have erupted in The Gambia after the United States said on Monday that it has publicly designated former President Yahya Jammeh and his family over his involvement in ‘significant’ corruption.
The move means the former dictator, his wife and two children have now been barred from entering the country.
It comes nearly two years since the former dictator was forced to leave power following his shock electoral loss. He now lives in exile in Equatorial Guinea.
And Gambians took to social media on Monday to react to the United States’ latest action against the former president.
A former minister in the former president’s government Sidi Sanneh, commenting on Facebook, said: “The public declaration that bars Jammeh + family members from the US, though long time in the making, is a reminder that corruption and human rights abuses are intolerable crimes that will be prosecuted in the international court of public opinion no matter how long it takes.”
Modou Sanneh said: “Yahya and his family will never set foot in America again . The Gambia government should expedite the process to repossess the $3.5 million mansion he bought with central bank funds, The slow arm of Justice is global, and has far reaching implications!
“Now Jammeh can’t even enjoy his loot in the US, and soon in the EU. What’s worth it? But the fight for justice was all worth it, and the heroes and victims should derive vindication from this news.
“This is also a lesson for the current crop of government officials and President Barrow. It’s a lesson for all. Corruption does NOT pay and your families will suffer in the end.”
Ndeye Fatou Sohna said: “The slow arm of Justice is global, and has far reaching implications! Now Jammeh can’t even enjoy his loot in the US, and soon in the EU. What’s worth it? But the fight for justice was all worth it, and the heroes and victims should derive vindication from this news. This is also a lesson for the current crop of government officials and President Barrow. It’s a lesson for all. Corruption does NOT pay and your families will suffer in the end.”
Ebrima Jabbi commented: “God is not sleeping if you do good, good follow u and if you do bad, bad follow u. What you reap is that what you sow.”
