Veteran Journalist Alagi Yorro Jallow has challenged Essa Bokar Sey, a former Ambassador under Jammeh’s regime and former deputy CEO of the OIC Secretariat in The Gambia to substantiate his claims by producing the letter he claimed to have sent to Yahya Jammeh on 2nd May 2003, adivising him to adhere to Term Limit.
Alagi Yorro Jallow also reminded Essa Bokar Sey that the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia does not provide term limit. “This incongruity raises pressing questions about why Essa Sey would claim to have advised Jammeh on a matter that was non-existent,” he said.
Mr. Jallow made this remark in a Facebook on Friday, while challenging Essa Bokar Sey to substantiate his claims during an interview he had with journalist Ebrima Baldeh.
“If Essa Sey indeed penned a letter to Yahya Jammeh on May 2, 2003, the question remains: why has he not produced a copy of this letter? Regardless, he still has the right to utilize the Freedom of Information Act to formally request a copy of the supposed correspondence he claims to have sent regarding the term limit. This transparency is not only warranted; it is essential for accountability in our democratic discourse,” Alagi Yorro Jallow argued.
Below is the post he made on his timelime.
“Fatoumatta: The final tell-all interview featuring Essa Bokar Sey, conducted by journalist Ebrima Baldeh, brought to light several critical issues. Unfortunately, the interview came across as more of a public relations exercise focused on personal branding, laden with half-truths. We challenge Essa Sey to leverage the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) to substantiate his claims.Former Ambassador Essa Sey must recognize that 75% of his supporters among the Gambian people are far from naive; they possess the critical thinking skills necessary to analyze information rigorously. Gambian journalists must guard against manipulation and refrain from disseminating information without thorough evaluation. It is crucial to engage in logical analysis rather than merely echoing concepts and theories without scrutiny.The Gambia unequivocally provides for both a Freedom of Information Act and an Access to Information Act, granting every citizen the right to access official information. Essa Sey asserts that he wrote a letter to Yahya Jammeh in May 2003, urging him to adhere to a term limit; however, he was recalled from his position just a month later. It is vital to highlight that the 1997 constitution does not stipulate term limits. This incongruity raises pressing questions about why Essa Sey would claim to have advised Jammeh on a matter that was non-existent.Fatoumatta: Consider the Latin maxim, “onus probandi actori incumbit,” meaning “the burden of proof lies on the one who asserts.” In other words, “he who alleges must prove.” If Essa Sey indeed penned a letter to Yahya Jammeh on May 2, 2003, the question remains: why has he not produced a copy of this letter? Regardless, he still has the right to utilize the Freedom of Information Act to formally request a copy of the supposed correspondence he claims to have sent regarding the term limit. This transparency is not only warranted; it is essential for accountability in our democratic discourse.”
