"His Excellency, Sheikh Professor Doctor President"
"There is no way my government will allow 99 percent of the population to be held to ransom by criminals." President Yahya Jammeh
Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh has "sworn on the Qur'an before the whole world to execute murderers according to the laws of the land. Allah entrusted this position to Yahya Jammeh and anybody who is averse to the decree of Allah can bite their nose." Lamin Jobarteh, Gambian Justice Minister
Those of whom they speak, the prisoners on death row represent, unfortunately for their longevity, officials and soldiers representing the previous regime. The one that existed in Gambia before the 1994 military coup that brought Jammeh to the presidency. The former president, Sir Dawda Jamara, left Gambia in a panic at the inception of the military takeover.
Current president Jammeh, then 29 years of age, and a lieutenant, just happened to be the first army officer on the scene at the presidential palace in Banjul at the time of the coup. The opportunity was there, so he took it, and declared himself president. Or, to use his preferred nomenclature of office: "His Excellency, Sheikh Professor Doctor President".
His Excellency, Sheikh Professor Doctor President had decided to mark the Muslim celebration of Eid with the announcement that prisoners with capital sentences hanging over their heads, will be mercifully relieved of the suspense they linger under. They are destined to be summarily expelled from life.
Eid is the traditional festival requiring gestures of mercy.
On August 19, eight men and one woman were shot at Mile 2 jail near the country's capital, Banjul. And a deadline of September 15 was fixed for the remaining prisoners on death row to meet their maker.
In the fine old traditions of African despots and presumably, African-style Islam.
Labels: Africa, Human Rights, Islamism, Justice
posted by Pieface @ Sunday, September 16, 2012
<< Home