Gambia: Darboe leads protest against President Barrow, calls for “Three Years Jotna”

Abdulmumeen Sulaiman

Under the umbrella of “Three Years Jotna”, thousands of aggrieved Gambians, led by Yankuba Darboe, have stormed the street yesterday, holding President Adama Barrow to his election campaign promise to hand over power after three years in office.

An enormous crowd of Gambian protesters has taken to the streets of Gambia demanding that President Adama Barrow respect his promise and step down from power.

Adama Barrow came to power in 2016 backed by the coalition of political leaders on a promise that he would only rule the country for three years.

In an interview with pressmen, the protest leader, Yankuba Darboe said, “We are holding this protest because the President had an agreement with the Gambian people – that he would serve as transitional government for three years; thereafter he’ll hold a presidential election in which he will not be a participant, and that he will graciously handover to whoever emerges as the winner of that election.”

Barrow’s coming to power marked a historic moment in the political history of the country as his election victory brought to a halt the dictatorial regime of a strong former Gambian president, Yahaya Jammeh, whose 22 years in power was characterized by gross violation of human rights, corruption, and high-handedness.

Some protesters lamented that Barrow’s three years in power is worse than that of dictator Yahya Jammeh’s 12 years rulership.

“There’s shortage of water, electricity, high prices of goods… The country has gone backward,” said Fanta Mballow.

“Jammeh was better than him… He’s worse tha Jammeh,” she added.

However, Barrow’s government has failed to get full support of the Gambians. And Pro-Barrow Gambians have alleged that the former Vice President, Mr. Ousainou Darboe of the United Democratic Party, who was sacked by the Barrow government, initiated and fund protest to behind a move that has cost Barrow the support of his own political party.

“We know who is behind this protest. It’s definitely the power-drunk Lawyer Darboe. Gambian constitution is supreme. It’s above any individual or group. Whether they like it or not, President Barrow must serve his five-year constitutional terms,” said Aminata Jallow, during an interview with MCR reporter.

Making a promise is one thing, fulfilling it is another. Barrow’s stand to extend his stay in office is an indication that he is determined to renege on his campaign promise. In this development, “Three Years Jotna” which in a local Wolof dialect means “It has reached three years”, acquired police permit to stage a peaceful protests to exercise their fundamental human rights holding Adama Barrow to his promise.

The movement staged a peaceful procession from Sting Corner to Denton Bridge, where members of the movement handed over a formal request document addressed to President Adam Barrow through a government representative.