Post-Election Violence Leads to Six Casualties, Two Arrests

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The well meaning pre-election advice of the Alkalo of Bakau, Luntang Jaiteh, for the people to do their utmost to nurture the peace before, during and after the elections, has to all intents and purposes fallen on deaf ears, Bakau being the only area in the whole country where incidents have been reported.

The incident started when UDP supporters around the Old Bakau and Cape Point ward began to celebrate the victory of their candidate who emerged as the winner in the elections. In the words of Ousman Jatta, alias Rambo, the councilor elect, it was when his supporters started jubilating after the announcement of the results that his compound became the target of a shower of stones from the direction of the compound of the National Assembly Member, Honourable Kalipha Jammeh, which, according to him, lies some 20 metres away from his, thus instigating a clash that lasted the whole night.

Rambo accused Hon. Kalipha Jammeh as the instigator of the clash. According to him, Hon. Jammeh even threatened to set alight anybody that goes near him, brandishing a two-litre bottle of petrol.

Following reporters of the clash, The Point visited the scene to ascertain the veracity of the problem. This reporter was able to find out that about six UDP supporters were injured during the clash. They include Mabintou Manjang, Isatou Jawara, Fudia Camara, Sulayman Jatta, Fatou Dibba and Nancy Cham.

On Friday morning two UDP supporters, Jai Bojang and Yama Fatty, were picked up by the police and taken to Kombo Station in connection with the incident. 

Author: By Abba A.S. Gibba
Source: The Point