Jammeh accuses Wade of aiding Gambian dissidents

Thursday, 07 January 2010 15:59

Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh, recently accused Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade and his government of aiding and hosting Gambian dissidents. 
He said Senegal was the only country in the sub-region that could host Gambian dissidents like Ndure Cham, alleged leader of the 21 March, 2006 failed coup attempt. Jammeh made this allegation while addressing a group of 'Mourids', loyalists of A Senegal based religiou cleric, Khalif General Alhaji Serign Muhammad Lamin Bare of Touba. The men and women were in The Gambia to help in harvesting the president's farm.
According to reports monitored on Gambia Radio and Television Services, the 'Mourids' were led by one Papa Demba Diop, a representative of the Khalif General. ''We do not have problems with any other country in the sub-region except Senegal,'' Jammeh said, adding that he had spoken with President Wade so many times but got no response from the Senegalese leader. The Gambian leader alleged that at one time during the misunderstanding between the two countries, Senegal went to the extent of closing its borders with The Gambia. He reminded them that there are many Senegalese living in The Gambia, moving about freely and dominating the country's business sector.
On the wider African continent, Jammeh said mismanagement of state affairs has been the cause of poverty in Africa, saying "If the resources on the continent are well managed, Africa will move forward."