In a recent Whatsapp audio, former president Jammeh announced his return to retake full control of his breakaway party the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) which he founded during his presidency.
In response, Sankareh said: "I had a closed-door meeting with President Barrow, and the issue of the ex-President Jammeh audio ranting and several other things were discussed."
"For President Barrow the ranting was uncalled for because everyone knows former President Jammeh was born here, went to school here, joined the army and staged a coup. And then became a President for 22 years. So, like all Gambians he is also a citizen. He has the right to come back to The Gambia," Sankareh told Coffee Time radio program with Peter Gomez on West Coast Radio.
He added that as long as President Barrow is concerned all the threats made by ex- President Jammeh were unnecessary.
"He is a Gambian citizen. He has the right to come back," the government mouthpiece noted.
However, he said President Barrow is least worried about Jammeh's ranting, adding that Barrow felt that former president Jammeh has a right to return home.
Jammeh, who has been in exile since his defeat in the 2016 presidential election, dismissed threats of arrest or legal action upon his return to The Gambia. “Whether anybody likes it or not, by the grace of the Almighty Allah, I am coming back,” he declared. “Let those threatening me with jail wait until I arrive. A day of accountability is coming, and it will be a day of reckoning.”
However, Sankareh said whenever Jammeh happens to come, Gambians would like to hear all regarding the allegations of atrocities: the liquidation of the West African migrants; liquidation of the school children in April 10/11; the liquidation of military officers of November 11; the assassination of Deyda Hydara; assassination of Ousman Koro Ceesay and journalist Chief Manneh."
Moving forward, he said there are several allegations against former president Jammeh citing murders, disappearance without trace, tortures, liquidations and rapes.
"So, basically these are the things President Jammeh faces when he comes to The Gambia," he said.
Sankareh reiterated that the former president has the constitutional right to return home but he is not coming back to number one Marina Parade, State House, and has to accept that he is a former president. "That is his new badge," he said.
Speaking further, he said former president Jammeh has numerous questions to answer citing huge financial mismanagement, brutalising of people, allegations of rape and others.
"People who appeared before the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) made serious allegations against him and his character. As former President, he is responsible for whatever happens under his tenure for 22 years,” the government spokesperson says.
Concerning Jammeh's threat should he step into the country,
Mr Sankareh said the coming back of ex-president Jammeh won’t make President Barrow flee the country, adding: “Jammeh doesn't have the power to take over power.”
President Barrow was voted into office by the Gambian people and he is the Commander-In-Chief of the Gambia Armed Force, and has appointed all security chiefs who are directly working under his command, he pointed out.
“With this strength, Jammeh cannot overcome the State House and let President Barrow flee the country. The Gambian people are stronger than that."
Concluding, Sankareh said President Barrow is committed and serious to ensuring justice for the victims of Jammeh.
