Women
vendors around the Greater Banjul Area have appealed to President Yahya Jammeh
to step down, as the political impasse is affecting lives and livelihood in the
country.
As
the political impasse continues with President Jammeh still holding on to his
decision of not stepping down, and the Coalition preparing for inauguration of
the president-elect, come January 19, various individuals, institutions, as
well as local and international bodies have called on the incumbent to step
down, and facilitate a peaceful transition of power to president-elect Adama
Barrow.
The
latest to appeal to the incumbent were the women vendors around the Greater
Banjul Area.
Talking
to this reporter, the women vendors complained that the business at the market
is getting harder on a daily basis, as people are hesitant to spend, while
non-Gambians are also leaving The Gambia for other countries.
At
the Serrekunda Market, one Fatou Sonko said that since the incumbent delivered
a statement on state TV on 9 December, that he had annulled the results of the
December 1 presidential election, the market has not been the same again, with
prices of foodstuff rising on a daily basis.
They
are left with no choice, but to increase prices of their commodities too to
meet the current trend of price hikes of especially basic food commodities, and
take care of their family needs, she said.
She
sells smoked fish which was very cheap, but since the change of the political
tempo in the country they have been compelled to sell three (3) smoked fish for
D20, “not because we want to do so deliberately; it is because of the situation
we have found ourselves in.”
Since
a lot of young people have embarked on irregular or illegal migration to
Europe, those who go to fish nowadays are mostly non-Gambians, she went on.
The
moment they sensed there might be serious conflict due to the decision made by
the incumbent, those people too have been packing and leaving for their or
other countries, she added.
“If
all those fishermen return to their homes, it is likely that we may not even
see fish at all to buy, and if there is any it will be very expensive.
“His
decision to hold onto power will bring us nothing but conflict, and we the
women are the ones who are going to suffer the most. So I am appealing to him
to step down so that we can eat, drink and sleep in peace.”
Binta
Marong, another vendor at the market, said things are very bad these days, and
even food items that are made locally like “Daharr” are hardly seen these days.
“We can only get them from the neighbouring countries.”
“Even
other important ingredients that women buy to add to food for lunch and dinner
are every day missing as well,” she said.
They
as vendors are, therefore, pleading with President Jammeh to accept the
election result, and let the country go through a smooth transition and
governance.
Lamin
Njai, a butcher at the market, said meat is also very expensive these days,
because most of the livestock owners are taking their livestock and family out
of the country, and businesses are closing down on a daily basis.
“This
is all happening because the country’s peace is being threatened and people are
fleeing for their lives. The incumbent and the president-elect should try to
put Gambians first, and resolve the issue before it gets out of hand.”
The
more people leave the country the more the country would run out of food, and
hunger is more dangerous than war itself, he further noted.
“I
am appealing to President Jammeh to step down the moment his term expires, and
allow a peaceful transfer of power to his successor.”
At
Westfield Junction, young ladies and men who walk into restaurants at night to
get something to eat for dinner, especially those that love to buy half chicken
and chips, complained that prices of food at restaurants have risen
unexpectedly.
This
situation would make business dull for restaurants, and restaurant workers like
them would lose their jobs, she explained.
She
said as a young person, she is appealing to the incumbent to step down and
allow the president-elect to assume his duty, so that lives and livelihoods of
Gambians will be protected.
Mama
Touray, a housewife, told this reporter that D50 could no longer sustain a
single parent and a child, talk less of a large family.
“Women
are suffering a lot these days, because there is nothing at the market and, as
the situation shows no signs of dying out soon, there is a likelihood of food
shortage,” she said.
She,
therefore, appealed to President Jammeh to step down for the sake of the
Gambian people, especially the children.
