Gambiaj.com – (KANILAI, The Gambia) – Supporters of former president Yahya Jammeh have been urged to ignore what they describe as President Adama Barrow’s “threats” and continue preparations to welcome the exiled leader back to The Gambia within the next two weeks, as announced by Jammeh himself.
Momodou Yafaye Tamba, interim leader of the APRC-No-To-Alliance faction, delivered the message over the weekend in Kanilai, Jammeh’s home village, where hundreds of loyalists gathered for a large-scale cleaning exercise ahead of the expected return.
Tamba told the crowd that they are “absolutely convinced” Jammeh will come home as promised and said arrangements are already “in high gear,” including plans for a grand reception at Banjul International Airport. He added that the exact date and time of the arrival would be communicated by the movement’s executive committee.
In a pointed jab at President Barrow, Tamba said Jammeh “did not run away” in 2017 but “took permission to leave this country,” arguing that there is no reason for the current government to panic about his possible return.
“You claimed you are the one who chased the lion away; now the lion announced his return, and you are petrified,” Tamba said to loud applause. He urged supporters to “girdle your waists,” prepare their ashobi outfits, and remain undeterred by remarks from Barrow.
Tamba further claimed that supporters across the country—from Kartong in the south to Koina in the east—are eagerly awaiting Jammeh’s return. “Let us come out in our large numbers and make sure when he looks out from the window of his plane before it lands, he sees every place in the airport is green,” he said.
Echoing Tamba’s position, executive member Jerrending Sanyang dismissed comments from President Barrow and Agriculture Minister Demba Sabally during the ongoing Meet The People Tour as “reckless remarks” meant to mislead the public.
“We know what we know, and we are focused until that day comes,” Sanyang said. “Let them know that we cannot be threatened by anybody. We are going ahead with our plans to welcome Jammeh, and we are going to announce it when the time arrives.”
Jammeh, who has lived in exile in Equatorial Guinea since January 2017 after losing the presidential election to Barrow, remains a polarizing figure in Gambian politics. His declaration of an imminent return has reignited political tensions, with the government yet to formally comment on the implications of his announcement.
