The opposition Gambia Democratic Congress, GDC has condemned the shooting of demonstrators in a statement sent to The Standard yesterday.
The full statement reads:
“The leadership of the Gambia Democratic Congress, GDC have condemned in the strongest terms the killing of an unarmed civilian in Kanilai by ECOMIG forces.
The t use of firearms was unnecessary to quell a peaceful demonstration by civilians. This is definitely defeating the purpose of fighting against the 22 years misrule of Jammeh. The incident is a catastrophic intelligence failure and demonstrates that the government is struggling to come to terms with the realities on the ground. The Government’s snail’s pace towards the path to reconciliation will only further divide societies.
GDC urges government to investigate the incident and address the situation without delay. We also want to extend our condolences to the family of the victim and wish the injured a speedy recovery.”
Also reacting to the incident on Fcaebook is Nanama Keita, a Gambian living in the US,
“Again, I’m going to put this out there. The loss of life in Foni incident is regrettable, but touting that this is in any way the gov’t or regional forces’ fault would be misleading.
First, anyone who is not in favor of Ecowas forces’ presence in Gambia is either a Jammeh faithful or someone who holds grudge against the composition of the present government.
Yes, Gambians had voted, but their votes alone wouldn’t have kicked Jammeh out. The threat of regional forces forcing him out did. And the only reason Adama Barrow will continue sleep away from home without worrying about military coup after this incident is the presence of regional forces. They are the most critical piece holding together our fragile democracy.
And since when did Gambians have the right to banish from within their community legally mandated security officials who are neither harassing them nor occupying their private spaces?
Let’s call a spade a spade,” he wrote.
