(JollofNews)- For practical purposes, in the interest of urgent national objectives the Minister of Justice Aboubacarr Tambadou must stay on his job to continue to conclusion a process that he has started.
In all of the endeavours that this new government will get involved with, there are two fundamental areas that are extremely critical to both national security and system change. For these two areas the Ministry of Justice is central and for that matter a certain kind of person is extremely necessary to run that ministry. Baa Tambadou reflects that kind of person for he meets the profile and the character. Thus from a purely national interest point of view, the Gambia needs Baa Tambadou at this moment.
The first area concerns truth and justice, i.e. bringing to light the truth about the Yaya Jammeh Tyranny and then dispensing justice for the corruption and atrocities of that regime. Without the full exposure of the truth and delivery of justice, the Gambia would not heal properly from the trauma and scars of Yaya Jammeh.
For that matter we could endure with grief and anger for a long time that could potentially endanger the peace and stability of the Gambia. Societies that undergo such brutality under a despotic regime require that the full extent of the atrocities be exposed and justice delivered in full so that the society can cleanse itself and ensure durable peace.
Citizens must see that justice is not only done but also seen to be done in order to relief their pain and become normal. When citizens feel there has not been justice, the dream of peace, unity and justice in that society shall remain an illusion. It is in such societies that citizens look for another opportunity to embark on revenge, hence conflict.
Hence the need for this government to ensure the full exposure of the truth and ensure justice cannot be over emphasized. The person who has started and will oversee that process is Minster Tambadou.
Already the minister has facilitated the creation of a Yaya Jammeh assets commission. Earlier he created a Special Counsel for the prosecution of the murder of Solo Sandeng. I hope he would go further to create a special tribunal to better prosecute the whole gamut of the crimes of the 22-year dictatorship. I also understand that underground work is ongoing for the broader issue of transitional justice that is aimed at enabling the country ensure justice while at the same time maintaining unity and peace among citizens.
I hope these will eventually lead to the creation of a Truth and Justice Commission. These are fundamental objectives that must move faster in a robust manner provided the Ministry of Justice is stable and continuing under the same man.
The second issue concerns system change in terms of the laws and institutions of the country. The hallmark of the APRC Tyranny is the blatant butchery to which they subjected our constitution. They went further to enact all sorts of laws regardless of whether such law violates our constitution or damages fundamental human rights.
Hence the Gambia cannot be said to have transitioned from dictatorships to democracy without a fundamental change in our laws. It is these laws that effectively determine the creation and effective functioning of institutions. The person who is central in this process therefore is the Minister of Justice.
The Gambia needs a new constitution. For that matter we need to Constitutional Review Commission that is yet to be created. We also need to repeal, amend or create a number of laws so as to also restructure or create new institutions to build and nurture a democratic culture. Some of the new institutions we urgently need are a National Human Rights Commission, a National Anti-Corruption Commission and a National Committee against Torture among others.
We also need Freedom of Information law as well as a Whistleblowing law to further strengthen a culture of transparency, accountability and efficient in the public sector particularly.
To execute these objectives require professionalism, focus and adequate political will and commitment that Tambadou has so far demonstrated. His sense of independence and adherence to principles are strengths we need in a Minister of Justice. Hence his continued tenure in that office is paramount in enabling the Gambia build a new society.
This is not to say there are no better Gambians to carry forward these objectives. Indeed we can find such people among us. But since Tambadou began this process with such vigor and dedication, it serves us well if he remains in place to pursue these matters with the same tempo and speed with which he has started.
In light of the foregoing, I would urge Mr. Tambadou to remain in his office so long as Pres. Barrow and the vast majority of Gambians have confidence in him.
While it is his prerogative to resign and such a decision would also be respected, but in the supreme interest of the Gambia, it is necessary that he remains in place. Therefore let citizens stand up with Baa Tambadou to support him to overcome this most difficult moment and remain in his office for the good of the country.
God Bless The Gambia
“But in the supreme interest of the Gambia, it is necessary that he remains in place. Therefore let citizens stand up with Baa Tambadou to support him to overcome this most difficult moment and remain in his office for the good of the country.”
This is presumptuous of you Mr. Jobarteh. Who conferred on you the legitimation to admonish the Gambian people on what is in their “supreme interest” and what not?
Near hypocritical because yesterday you “demanded assurances and decisions! and that Now” on the same issue and today without waiting for assurances and desions, asking the justice minister not to resign. This is beyond Imagination! What is wrong with your sense of patience? Are you aware of the precedence you are helping accentuate in the Gambian body politics?
Mr. Tambedou was directly implicated by his brother citing that “left alone to his Brother (Baa Tambedou), the NIA 9 would not be prosecuted for the murder of Solo Sandeng”.
By that, he damaged the integrity of the justice minister. It is now the responsibility of the justice minister to come out and clarify his position and take full responsibility of his brother’s words. The decision to resign is up to him but I think after these damning revelations, his position as justice minister is undoubtedly in jeopardy.
His credibility is tarnished and he would need a miracle to survive. The decisive political force in the country cannot and will not forgive him for the apparent undermining of the case against the killers of Solo Sandeng. And that is what counts!
No one can put Families, Friends and Firms ahead of the national interest and be good for a country. That is what all dictators do and that is why they are so bad for their countries. The Honorable Minister should honorably resign and let justice take its course.
The honourable Justice Minister owe (it to) himself of all, much more the Gambia & international community, an air “clearance statement”; in honesty as to where his allegiance lies as alleged by the “brother”; in (his) accepting the remunerative responsibilities; & living up to expectations of his servant-privileges position entrusted to him…
Only then can he opt in, to continue in the capacity; Or opt-out & do the decent act in resigning; or shown the door…?
Anybody can forgive yaya DEVIL’s atrocities on (one’s) your own accord, for all Gambians suffered generally, though to various degrees individually; BUT NO ONE have the mandates to purportedly forgive on any other victim/s accord; even after the Truth Commissions deliberations; EXCEPT on (agreed) Communal Consensus, much more NOTHING ain’t started yet…?
Sheriff Tambedou’s this irresponsible act (of utterances) is treasonable offence against the Gambia peasantry population & humanity in general…
President Barrow will be held responsible for accountability for any pretentious blanket-amnesty for the wilful barbarities perpetrated against humanity under the MURDEROUS kanilai FIEFDOM…
God bless the Gambia…
I think we are getting to know the mindset of The Barrow government;I also think they are coming to terms with the reality of their situation post Jammeh. I wish them well and to do what they consider to be the right thing. Nevertheless, Justice for those who perished or suffered torture, or suffered loss must have their day in court and be compensated. This is the right thing to do. This process can not be undermined in any way shape or form.
Minister Tambadou must resign. The entire fiasco with Sheriff happened on his watch, he must take ownership and the ultimate responsibility for the actions of his subordinates. I am sure there are other well qualified lawyers in The Gambia that can be called to serve. To retain a rainted Justice minister sends the wrong message to friends of Gambia, world over.
God Bless The Gambia
Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done. President Barrow must stand on his avowed principles. To compromise is to begin a downward spiral that has only failure at its end. Gambia must have a common aim and a common objective.
Then unity and strength will surely rise to overcome. As Moses lead the people to the land of milk and honey for all.
On Principle, My Thoughts Are with Madi Jobarteh, While Adding The Following:
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING ABOUT THE TAPE AND THE TAMBEDU BROTHERS VS. MAI FATTY AND UDP SUPPORTERS.
Those who applied for a Permit to Celebrate the Achievements of their Party Care and Should be given the Permit to Celebrate. I am not an advocate for the Suspension of the Constitution. However, to be on an Equal Playing Field, the Referee, Mr. Barrow and his Lines men, Mr. Ousainou Darbo and Mai Fatty Plus the Overseer of the Vice Presidency might as well Declare a State of Emergency and Rule by Decree. I happen to believe that at the moment, Certain Communities and fellow Gambians are being treated as if they are in a State of Emergency and that they are the “Culprits”. Do we as Gambians really want to send out the message to all Gambians and the World that One Ethnic Group’s Blood and Lives are more Precious and Valuable than the rest of the other Gambians’ Blood and Lives? Do we, Gambians mean to send the message that Solo Sandeng’s, (May his soul rest in peace as Should others before and after him who died in Gambian by natural or non natural causes), death is more Significant than all others in the Gambia? Who is Speaking for them? Those Unlike the Chosen Solo Sandeng need to be given Equal Treatment by the Authorities in the Gambia and their Supporters. We are as a Nation State gravitating ever so Delibrately toward the Abyss in a Collective “Burial Wish Basket” of Half-Truths and Deceit of the Lowest and Highest Order. Unfortunately, the Deceit is coming from those who ought to know better, but they choose Not to. At what Price, Gambia? The Fast and Loose talk about the Alleged Tape where of One Tambedu, the brother of the JUSTICE MINISTER with one of the NIA Nine’s wife has been made into a “Crown Jewel” just like the Hyped up Case of One Ms. Badjie who was Posted at the Gambian UN Mission in New York generating Dust of Incomprehensible Opposition. The only thing Significant or “Peculiar” about her was the fact that she is Jola. Period. She is Gambian, a Qualified Civil Servant in the Foreign Service, yet because of her Ethnic Affliation and little of all else, she was Set Upon by the UDP SUPPORTERS. The most over whelming reason why she was maligned, dragged into the mud and called all names and Insults in ways Civilized Society would not allow itself to engage in. It Forced the Semi-reclusive Foreign Affairs Minister, Ousainou Darbo to Address his UDP Party Base that had “Turned” Nasty against him. The disappointing aspect of that 2:00 AM Address Mr. Darbo made is that the Minister of Foreign Affairs decided to Address a Sub-section of the Gambian People. Mr. Foreign Affairs Minister Made Plea to The UDP PARTY FAITHFUL LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY by Directing, Focusing and Tailoring his Message in a Manner Apologetic to the Agrieved Party or Club Members, (UDP FAITHFUL), Not to All Gambians. If the Message was intended for the Gambian Citizens as a Whole, it would have been made in English or in the Local Gambian Languages the Minister of Foreign Affairs is Well Versed in, that is, he is known to Speak well. BUT that was not to be. Why, that was not the Case. He Spoke in Mandinka only as if Everyone in the Gambia Speaks and Understands Mandinka. Which is not the Case. Mr. Foreign Affairs Minister was more Concerned with Repairing his Image and Character with the UDP PARTY BASE, and Not with the General Citizenry and Voters of the Gambia. Back to the NIA NINE’S CASE. I am not Surprised the Case hit a Road Block in a manner of Speaking. From The Initial Arrest and Detention of What is now known as the NIA NINE, Legal and Due Process Issues were Raised as they should have been raised by many but Significantly the Minister of Justice, Baa Tambedu. The NIA NINE were Ordered Arrested and Detained Not by the POLICE OR MINISTER OF JUSTICE after an investigation and gathering of Evidence for Prosecution. On the Contrary, NIA NINE were Ordered Arrested by the Minister of the Interior, Mai Fatty, with the Self-serving Contention that “he acted inorder to Prevent the Accused from Fleeing from Gambia”. These are people who could have left the Gambia with former President Yaya Jammeh or by themselves if they had any intention of Fleeing, but they did not. Infact, Yankuba Badjie and some of the others Arrested and Detained under the Order of Mai Fatty were under the employment of the UDP Led Government when Mai Fatty took the Law into his Hands and Ordered their Arrest without Consultation with the Relevant and Designated Authorities, the Minister of Justice, Baa Tambedu and Yankuba Sonko the then CDS of Police (an individual not unlike CDS Kinteh of the Army who both Served in the Jammeh Government for Years at Top Positions of Decision Making and are still in the UDP LED REGIME). Why no Outrage Directed at this Clear and Ongoing Miscarriage of Justice?That is for another time. For now, it is important that Gambians be reminded that the Unconstitutional and Lack of Due Process that was Unilaterally exercised by the Minister of the Interior, Mai Fatty Compromised and Virtually Rendered the NIA NINE’S CASE, A POSTER CHILD AND PRECEDENT SETTING CASE OF “FRUITS OF THE POINSONOUS TREE DOCTRINE.” Under this Rule Evidence that is the direct result or Immediate product of Ilegal conduct on the part of an official is Inadmissible in a Criminal Trial Against the Victim of the Conduct (or other person in Standing). The Culprit (s) Responsible for this State of Affairs is Non other than the Minister of Interior, Mai Fatty’s Unilateral Behavior which Aggrevated and Continued to Bedevil the Justice Minister and Jurisprudence in this Case and others. If anything, Baa Tambedu and his brother have been attempting to Salvage the “Fruits of the Poisonous Tree Doctrine” or Rule that the Minister of the Interior Mai Fatty Set in Motion when he as usual took the Law into his Hand. The allegations of a Crime is Not Proof of Guilt and yet most Commentary and Statements about the NIA NINE’S CASE were and are made in a Manner as if they are Guilty and Needs to Proof their Innocence. As a matter of Principle and more Significantly Due Process, the Tambedu brothers are not Guilty of anything, Except the “Appearance of Misconduct”. If the Younger Tambedu takes the High Road of Integrity and Ethics and resigns, what more does the Detractors and “Head hunters” want from Baa Tambedu? He is a Jurist who has Stood for Justice, Not Just the Appearance of Justice. Baa Tambedu has demonstrated an Ability and Willingness to be Transparent and Accountable. He also demonstrated to the Gambian Citizens as a Jurist that he is willing to Confront those in Power just as he would the average Gambian. He and his brother are the least of the Gambias’ Current Regime of Ousainou Darbo, Mai Fatty and Adama Barrow Should loose Sleep over. A Compromised and Tainted Case was Thrusted Upon Baa Tambedu and later his Brother and Co-Counsels by One Mai Fatty, the Minister of the Interior, yet No Outrage Directed at The Minister of the Interior the Culprit of “the Fruits of the Poinsonous Tree”. No Calls for his Resignation or Charges have been made Against Mai Fatty Engaging in Similar Unlateral Acts or Behavior Since been appointed as a Member of the UDP LED REGIME OF ADAMA BARROW. LET’S HOPE MAI FATTY WOULD NOT “BITE” INTO ANOTHER HIGH PROFILE CASE AND CREATE ANOTHER LEGAL DILEMMA FOR THE PROSECUTION AND THE GAMBIAN PEOPLE. LET THE TAMBEDU BROTHERS SALVAGE WHAT MAI FATTY “POINSONED”, SO THAT THE GUILTY ARE PUNISHED AND THE INNOCENT FREED.
Am disappointed with Madi Jobarteh. this shows that he cares more about relationship, family and friends than what is cardinal in upholding justice which is integrity and trust . If it was in the civilised world, the Minister would just resign immediately. He is not the only bright lawyer in the whole of the Gambia there are better ones out there. So the most honourable thing is for him to go in order to regain his integrity period.