During an APRC reconciliation meeting at Foni Bondali, a member of ‘No to Alliance’ group, Famara Tamba, disclosed that Former President Jammeh has made up his mind to call and make amends with the current Speaker, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, who doubles as the APRC leader after a longstanding leadership tussle between the two.
The APRC divided into factions after Jammeh refused to endorse President Barrow in the last presidential election calling FTJ and Co. as traitors after going into alliance with the ruling party without his consent.
Jammeh has always maintained that he is Chairman and leader of APRC even after seven years in exile, arguing that he will bounce back to ruling this country at an undisclosed time.
During this crisis in the party, his faction contested the parliamentary election securing five seats in the Fonis and winning Councilor seats as well; and the FTJ camp also won two parliamentary seats and few local government council seats.
The both sides have expressed preparedness to put their notable differences aside and work towards reconciling for the interest of the party.
Speaking at the reconciliation meeting in Foni, Famara Tamba a member of ‘No to Alliance’ said, during his telephone conversation with former President, he has agreed to call FTJ and dialogue with him but emphasized that the militants on the ground should reconcile first before he places his call.
“From Thursday onwards, ‘No to Alliance’ as been abrogated henceforth. There is no ‘No to Alliance’ again; it’s a one big party called, APRC. Let’s stop castigating Tombong and go ahead with the future” he stated.
Mr Tamba stated that the former President wants every member of APRC to forgive each other and stick together as one party.
“Jammeh said he is not prevented by anything to call Tombong Jatta but he wants us to reconcile first as militants and members on the ground before placing a call to Tombong. Jammeh said there are two important ties between him and Speaker Jatta. He (Jammeh) said his surname is Jammeh whiles FTJ is Jatta but also the latter hailed from Nuimi while he is from Foni and there are strong cultural ties that bind these two groups” Tamba quoted Jammeh as saying.
Tamba expressed willingness on the side of Jammeh that he is ready to apologize to FTJ; and henceforth, urged his supporters to immediately stop castigating Speaker Jatta and move on as one party.
Jammeh is known to be inconsistent in his wordings as this will not be the first time for such meetings.
Many political observers believed, he (Jammeh) is the author of the current predicament of his party due to his incoherent communication style.
Earlier, it was peddled that among other hosts of agreements that the President had with the former ruling party was to bring back Jammeh as former head of state and accord him all the privileges he deserved.
Will Jammeh regain such an opportunity again after this planned reconciliation, time will tell.