Breaking News 

President Jammeh appoints Lamin Bajo US Ambassador, sacks Gass Jaiteh, Zambia Consul General

Tales of bad blood abound

By Ebrima G. Sankareh, Editor-In-Chief

Lamin K. Bajo

Unimpeachable sources nestled within the corridors of state power, reveal that Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh has appointed Lamin Kaba Bajo, Gambian ambassador to the United States. A former Cabinet Minister in the regime, Lamin Kaba Bajo was Presidential Guards’ Commander during the July, 22, 1994 coup and as the insurgents advanced into the capital that fateful Friday, he fled to Senegal with President Jawara aboard a visiting US warship, the Lamoure County that sank off the Coast of Haiti, a few years later. About three days after the coup, he returned to The Gambia and was appointed by the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) as Divisional Commissioner to Brikama and later promoted to Interior Minister and Spokesperson of the AFPRC military junta. He had also served as Foreign Secretary and until his appointment, he was ambassador to Iran. He is a graduate of the Gambia Muslim High School and was a comrade to the Gambian dictator at the defunct Gambian National Gendarmerie that was established in the wake of the July 30, 1981 failed coup led by Kukoie Samba Sanyang.

Ambassador Neneh Macdouall Gaye 

Lamin Kaba Bajo replaces Neneh Macdouall Gaye who was relieved of her duties barely two months after she presented her letters of credence to President Barack H. Obama on Wednesday May 20, 2009. Ambassador Gaye’s short-lived tenure follows alleged malicious allegations that she had reportedly divulged confidential memoranda about Gambian national security matters to certain powerful US Senators perceived as “bent on removing Jammeh from power”. While The Gambia Echo has no precise details as to what specific crimes Ambassador Gaye may have committed, it is highly believed around the corridors of state power, that she may have revealed information about Chief Ebrima Manneh, a disappeared Gambian journalist; a case that is almost taboo in Banjul. A highly placed source in Banjul stopped short of stating exactly what she did wrong by using classic diplomatic balderdash, “she touched some very sensitive nerves that none of her predecessors dared touched.”  Based on the semantic precision of such euphemistic statements, it remains to be seen what nerves were touched.

Dr. Huja Gass Jaiteh-Njie presenting letters to Zambia's Foreign Minister 

In another twist, The Gambia Echo reports with unassailable evidence that President Jammeh has also sacked with immediate effect, a very close associate and confidant, Dr. Huga Gass Jaiteh-Njie, Hon. Consul General of the Republic of The Gambia to the Republic of Zambia.

Dr. Jaiteh-Njie is a dentist with years of successful dental practice in the East African nation but like Nancy Njie, Sera Wally Ndow-Njie and Isatou Njie, this lady has also been gravitating towards State House ever since the errant Head of state seized power in July, 1994 albeit, with  high suspicion reveals our State House operative, Kissy Kissy Mansa.

Described by many as a strong supporter of the dictator, Dr. Huja Gass Jaiteh is the first Gambian Consul General to Zambia and many have wondered at the time, if her appointment was out of diplomatic expediency or extra-ambassadorial necessities. “Huja’s appointment really raised eyebrows within close observers at State House and given the poor economic circumstances of the country, it was really ridiculous to open a Consulate in Zambia only to satisfy a friend,” reveals a highly placed State House source.

As we went to press, speculations are rife that Dentist Jaiteh’s axing, is classic Jammeh style of dealing with Gambian women; he enjoys pitching them against each other. According to Kissy Kissy Mansa, it was practically impossible to have Gass Jaiteh, Sera Wally Ndow, Nancy Njie and Isatou Njie in the same government- that tantamounts to political catastrophe reveals Kissy.

“Mr. Sankareh, sometimes State House is like a ghetto, where everyman and woman is trying to eat the other only because of position. It is worse among the sisters; they want to kill each other using profane language against each other” reveals Kissy.

Only last September, three months after the July 22 celebrations, in tandem with Jammeh’s politics of hero worships, Dr. Huja Gass Jaiteh sent in the letter below to the President:         

“Your Excellency
On the occasion of the 22nd July anniversary celebration, I wish to take this opportunity to extend to you personally and to the Government and the people of The Gambia my sincere congratulations on this very special day, which will always remain pivotal in the history of The Gambia.

Notwithstanding the global economic downturn currently impacting negatively on every single country and economy in the world, it is a matter of singular pride and profound satisfaction that The Gambia and the Gambian people have risen to the challenge of continuing and sustained progress with confidence and a sense of purpose, particularly in the area of infrastructural development. I am confident that the momentum which has been generated in this direction will be sustained under your continued wise, dynamic and inspirational leadership for now and for the future.

Whilst wishing Your Excellency my best wishes for your personal good health and well being and the progress, peace, prosperity and success of the Gambian people at all times, Please accept Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration, deep esteem and respect.

Dr Huja Gass Jaiteh-Njie
Hon. Consul General of the
Republic of The Gambia to
Republic of Zambia.”

Well the above letter praise-singing the dictator was yesterday and now is a new day and hopefully, the wise will learn history’s verdict that no rule, no government is infinite except that of God.