Home : News : Gambia News : Jammeh accuses UK of backing opposition
Gambia News : Jammeh accuses UK of backing opposition
Gambian President Yahya Jammeh accused former colonial ruler Britain on Wednesday of backing opposition politicians ahead of 2011 elections, and said the West African nation would not be colonised again.
Jammeh has long been criticised for arresting dissenters, rights activists and journalists. Earlier this month a Gambian court sentenced eight people to death after finding them guilty of plotting to overthrow the government.
In April, the United States and Britain criticised the jailing of an opposition member for using a megaphone at a rally without permission.
"Why are they (the West) not sponsoring the ruling government if they are talking about democracy?" Jammeh said at a rally with thousands of supporters in Banjul, the capital.
Jammeh accused Britain of funding the opposition, but said the opposition would "never" secure a ministerial post because Gambians were not fools.
"I swear that the Gambia will not be colonised twice. Let them do whatever they want to do, but this country will not be colonised twice," Jammeh said.
The British High Commissioner in Banjul could not be reached for comment.
The eight handed death sentences earlier this month included the former chief of defence staff, former director of the national intelligence agency and two businessmen, one of whom is Lebanese.
They are accused of planning to oust the government in a drug-funded plot involving foreign mercenaries. The case followed a waves of arrests and sackings in the country.
The British government and the United States spoke out in April after Femi Peters, campaign manager for the opposition the United Democratic Party, was sentenced to one year in jail for using a megaphone at a rally without permission.
"My message to the West is that if you think that Africans are stupid and you can come and fool us twice, then go elsewhere in Africa and fool them but the Gambia is a no go area for you," Jammeh said at the rally.
11137 times read
- Jammeh you see gadhafi's ending,the same will be for you just a matter of months very soon thats a promise
(Posted on November 23, 2011, 11:12 AM rebellion)
- Yakuba if you don't know what to say stay away rather than giving yourself to hell. you can hide the the clear pictures of Jammeh thuggery and savagery. many families has been torn by jammeh thug without legal right. we are last upon all.we're back!!
(Posted on November 24, 2010, 7:59 AM Baba)
- we don't need yahya jammeh dat's all
(Posted on October 26, 2010, 7:50 AM juntal bera)
- I use to like the president when he first took over cause i though he was doing such a good job but he has now become so power greedy locking up people and accusing people of witches , torturing innocent people for no reason whatsoever.
(Posted on October 8, 2010, 12:12 AM KULBEH 1)
- I think the president is a moron he overthrew the previous government and now he is about to kill the other people accused of trying to overthrow him, our politicians are not doing a good job in enlightening the people rather than abusing each other.
(Posted on September 13, 2010, 12:47 PM yams)
|
|
|
Rate this Gambia Article
 (total 152 votes)
|
Gambia News
Gambia Archive
Newsletter
Poll: 2011- Gambia General Election
Comment on This Gambia News (55 posted)
Syndication
