The APRC and nominated members of the National Assembly
have unanimously claimed that The Gambia is ready and willing to forgo the
millions of Euro donated to the government by the European Union than to
implement the 17-point reforms the EU demanded the government implement.
One after the other, the parliamentarians on Monday,
during an extraordinary session of the National Assembly, strongly condemned
the EU.
For them, the EU already knew that the government “will
not accept” to implement the 17-point demand, so in that case they can cut aids
to the government, but the government is ready to weather the storm.
The extraordinary session was convened for the parliamentarians
to discuss the demands of the EU to The Gambia government.
In a 17-point demand presented to The Gambia
government, which are strongly condemned and rejected by President Jammeh
forthrightly, the EU demanded the Gambia government to undertake some reforms in
order to improve the country’s governance and human rights situations.
Among the
reforms they are demanding from the government are the upholding of
moratorium on the death penalty with immediate effect, revision of laws on
freedom of expression and media regulations within 24 months, provision of
information regarding the recent executions, including location of burial to
the families.
“Gambia is willing to forgo any kind of aids than to
implement these kinds of demands,” said Fabakary Tombong Jatta, member for
Serrekunda East and majority leader.
He said the government will be glad to get the EU funds
with respect and dignity, but not under servitude, or slave-master relationship,
though he acknowledged that the EU contributes to the socio-economic
development of the country.
These kinds of things are done with a pre-conceived
mind, Hon. Tombong Jatta says, adding that the EU did this so that if the
government refuses, they can take the next action.
