The Fatu Network Wednesday morning had an exclusive interview at the State House in Banjul with the President of the republic of The Gambia, Mr Adama Barrow.This rare interview focused on issues ranging from the recent security threats in the country, his relationship with Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, to the sacking of Mai Ahmad Fatty, former Interior Minister among other issues.
President Barrow also spoke for the first time about the 52 pickup trucks given to National Assembly Members. He said the vehicles were donated by some philanthropists of Gambian and non Gambian origin who supported him during the last presidential campaign and during the political impasse, but declined to disclose their names.
“Nobody asked questions about the vehicles donated during the campaign to remove the former president and also the vehicles I was using during the impasse,” President Adama Barrow said.
“I asked them to help me with pickup trucks for the NAMs because they are politicians who cannot be asking for rides or joining ‘gele geles’ (local taxi) to attend sittings at the National Assembly,” he added.
Responding to those who criticize his silence on pressing national issues especially the recent attacks at his home village of Mankamang Kunda, Brikama and Busumbala including the security lapse at the Banjul International Airport, Barrow said the incidents are regrettable.
Adding that the president cannot be speaking on every issue like it used to be during the Jammeh administration, noting that things cannot be business as usual under the new democratic dispensation. He said matters like that should be handled by people delegated with those responsibilities.
“I do realize though that certain things that happened on the part of the security should not have happened,” he interjected.
“It is a mistake on the part of the security which they need to learn from to build their capacity,” he added.
President Barrow was asked whether the sacking of Mai Ahmad Fatty, former Minister of Interior was in line with the campaign promises to repeal executive directives used by the president to sack people without giving any reason.
“The constitution empowers the president to appoint and dismiss a minister,” President Barrow told The Fatu Network.
However, he went further to say that it is not a constitutional requirement for the president to give reason (s) to the appointment and/or dismissal of a minister.
“We are looking for people who are interested in nation building and our appointments are based on that principle,” he added.
The Gambian leader was questioned about his relationship with Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Leader of the United Democratic Party UDP.
“Our relationship is normal as before, nothing has changed,” he said
Barrow added that people are entitled to their opinion but his relationship with his former party leader is still the same, saying the two of them are focused on nation building.
When asked whether he has intention to form his own political party or return to former party UDP at the end of his term, the Gambian leader said he will discuss that issue when the time is right.
President Barrow denied reports that the Barrow Youth Movement is a replica of the ‘Green boys and girls’ under the former dictator Yahya Jammeh. He said they are a group of youths who are interested in youth development.
“They came to seek my support, I promised to empower them”. He said
When asked about his relationship with Honorable Halifa Sallah, one of the brains behind the coalition that ushered him into power, the president said they are not always in contact now like it used to be in the past.
“At times, people will see things from different perspectives, like it happens in our homes not everyone will agree on everything,” he asserted.
President Barrow commended Sallah’s dedication and service to the nation, saying it is his right to accept or reject cabinet positions. He also added that the press release issued against the former coalition spokesman’s comment on system change opened up a healthy debate.
Talking about the possibilities of extraditing the former President Yahya Jammeh from Equatorial Guinea, the president said they are gathering evidence against him and once that is done, justice will take its course.
Here is a link to the interview conducted in Mandinka by The Fatu Network’s Lamin Sanyang:
