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Gambia News : Demolition Exercise Leaves Several People Homeless

More than one hundred residents of Busumbala were, on Wednesday, 23 April, left homeless, following a demolition exercise, which was carried out by agents working for the State.

A distraught family head, Ansumana Kinteh, who spoke to this reporter, said he and his family slept under a mango tree. He indicated that he lost the bulk of his belongings during the demolition exercise. Mr. Kinteh narrated that on that fateful night his family cried the whole night due to the ordeal they were subjected to. "I have no where to go and reside" said 43 years old Ansumana Kinteh.

Speaking to this reporter, another victim, Fatoumatta Bah, a widow, said she was approached by men who came with caterpillars and accompanied by security officers and they asked her to evacuate her residence. She alleged that they never received any notice from the authorities. She said that if they had received notice, they would have resettled elsewhere before the forceful eviction. "We doubt if there is any law in this country", she questioned.

A renowned Gambian artist, Jali Nyama Jobarteh, was among the victims affected by this demolition exercise. She disclosed that the money she gained from her artistic profession was what she used to build her house. She said that she has spent more than D300,000 to build the house. Jali Nyama told this reporter that the PIU personnel and police officers just descended on the area and forced them to abruptly leave their homes. She explained that these security men went to the extent of throwing out some of their belongings from their houses. She said that the situation is frustrating and disheartening and describing the practice as inhuman.

One Yusupha Marong, also a victim, was crying bitterly and saying that all the money he spent on constructing the house has gone in vain. He said that he is desperate, frustrated and hopeless.