By Alhagie Jobe: Gambia’s outgoing President Yahya Jammeh who has been defiant of not handing over power since he lost the December President election has finally soften his arrogant tone by simply calling for forgiveness, unity and hinting of amnesty, probably trying a possible safe route out to end the political nightmare.
In an unexpected mid-night address to the nation on Tuesday, Mr Jammeh announced that he has appointed his Secretary General and Head of the Civil Services, Musa Jallow, to be the Mediator General for this trying period of the country.
Mr Jammeh’s latest remarks came after the country’s Supreme Court said it has no sufficient judges to sit over his APRC Party’s election result petition until May 2017, thereby dashing away his hopes of staying in power.
He said he has mandated his Secretary General to work with the Minister of Justice and the National Assembly to draft a General Amnesty Bill to confide and ensure there is no witch-hunt so that Gambians can live in a climate of confidence and security within the constitutional mandate.
“I hereby appoint the Secretary General as Mediator General to ensure the public and Civil Servants continue to work proficiently and without fear or favour in an apolitical manner in the service of the country” Jammeh said in a very remorseful tone.
Mr Jammeh who never been ready for any negotiation and insisting on to power ever calling for re-election reverse his position again by opening arms to parties for peaceful negotiation to end the impasse.
“The Secretary General as Mediator General is also mandated to meet with all stakeholders in the country and prepare a meeting so that all can be heard and we resolve any mistrust and issue among ourselves” Mr Jammeh said in uncommon manner.
Unexpectedly preaching peace, Jammeh said he has issued an executive order that nobody be arrested or prosecuted due to acts or omissions in the pre and post election period with effective dates from November 1st 2016 to January 31st, 2017.
“I ask all Gambians to forgive each other especially us the political class and asked that we continue to work together to keep and consolidate peace and harmony in our beloved country. I ask all Gambians and residence in the Gambia to go about their business and I assure you that Inshaa Allah all will be well and this will soon be resolve in peace. I will do all within the constitutional means and my conscience to resolve the sad impasse” the ever-defiant Jammeh said.
After portraying as bias, the sub-regional body, ECOWAS, that is mediating the impasse, Mr Jammeh in this latest address thanked them, the African Union, UN and OIC for their kind words and support to the Gambia saying “even if some were mistaken and also assured than that we Gambians have not gotten to the level without learning to live and let live amongst ourselves”.
Meanwhile, Mr Jammeh’s scheduled Wednesday meeting with ECOWAS leaders has been pushed to Friday, January 13th in Banjul. The leaders are expected to tell Mr Jammeh that it is imperative for him to respect the constitution and the will of the Gambian people.
