Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has warned his supporters against using his name to solicit money or assistance, saying he has not authorized members of his APRC faction’s executive to approach villages, groups, households, or individuals for fundraising.
Jammeh issued the warning in a WhatsApp audio message in which he also said that anyone claiming to have been sent by him must produce an audio recording containing his instructions.
In a voice that sounded feeble and less punchy than before, the former president said he had not sent any member of his faction APRC executive to any village or group, stressing that he would not dispatch people to solicit funds on his behalf.
“I’m not even sending anybody to ask for money. That’s the bottom line at Kanilai,” Jammeh said.
He said anyone who approaches people claiming to be acting on his instructions should be asked to play the audio message confirming his authority. Those unable to do so, he warned, should be reported to the police or exposed through the media.
Jammeh Distances Himself From Fundraising
Jammeh said there was a fundraising committee responsible for contributions and made clear that he would not personally ask individuals or groups to provide financial assistance.
“If you want to contribute, you know who is in charge. I’m not saying you should not help, but I will not beg anyone to help,” he said.
He also urged those willing to provide assistance to ensure that their contributions were handed to the appropriate people.
Jammeh specifically named his brother, Jalamang Jammeh, whom he identified as being responsible for supervising work on his farms.
“That is Jalamang. Do you give anything to Jalamang? Jalama is in charge of supervising the work on my farms,” he said.
He added that some people had been removed from their positions and that, apart from Jalamang and a separate team he referred to as “Yassin’s own team,” supporters should verify any requests for assistance directly with the person allegedly sending them.
Warning to APRC Executive
Jammeh’s warning was also directed at members of his APRC faction executive, whom he accused of potentially misrepresenting his instructions.
He said the only matter on which he had recently communicated with the executive was his reconciliation initiative.
“The only time I talk to the executive is for the reconciliation,” he said, adding that anything beyond that should be treated as false unless accompanied by an audio message from him.
Jammeh said he had previously sent members of the executive to communities with recorded messages but insisted that such delegations would not consist of two people simply claiming to speak on his behalf.
He said he had learned from past experiences and would not even send members of the executive to his own family without an audio message confirming his instructions.
Hints at Jammeh’s APRC No To Alliance Shake-Up
Towards the end of the recording, Jammeh appeared to signal an impending development within the APRC, using agricultural language to describe what he called “Operation Complete Weeding.”
He said he would announce the launch of the operation by the following week, describing it alternatively as “Operation Wipe Out the Weeds” and “Operation Bulldozer” or “Extreme Bulldozer.”
“There are so many weeds that have to be weeded out for the farm to prosper,” Jammeh said.
He did not elaborate on who or what the “weeds” referred to but said loyal APRC members should remain patient.
Context Remains Unclear
Jammeh did not provide a specific reason for issuing the warning or identify any particular individual, village, or group he believed had been soliciting funds using his name.
Neither Jammeh nor his supporters immediately provided a context for the sudden public message, which marks a notable intervention after a period of relative silence.
His remarks nevertheless suggest concern over individuals allegedly claiming to carry his instructions, particularly in relation to fundraising and activities around Kanilai.
Jammeh, who has remained in Equatorial Guinea since leaving The Gambia in 2017, continues to retain a sizable following within the APRC No To Alliance and among sections of his former supporters.
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