President Jammeh has spoken on the outcome of the findings on National Television as his government is cleared of any direct or indirect complicit in the deaths of 6 Ghanaian and two other West African nationals found in Gambian territory in 2005. The President must have, however, looked forward to this resolute step facilitated by the UN system, where the foreign ministers of the two countries signed on their behalf a statement, reviewed by representatives of the two governments and impressed upon the leadership to strengthen their traditionally cordial, bilateral ties.

The MOU is significant in the normalisation of relations between The Gambia and Ghana.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by representatives of the UN system and ECOWAS: Dr. Asha Rose Magiro, Deputy Secretary General of The United Nations, stepped in for UN secretary General, Ban ki Moon while Ojo Maduekwe, Foreign minister of Nigeria represented his boss and current chairman of ECOWAS.

The statement indicated the two governments resolve to cooperate in exhuming and repatriating of the bodies to their families in Ghana to be given befitting traditional burial. The Gambia has also agreed to make contributions to the bereaved families, in conformity with African Traditional values shared by both countries.

President Jammeh later rose to speak of the outstanding relations that existed between Ghana and The Gambia, almost shattered by the incident, he described as a sad episode in the annals of The Gambia's history. The incident, according to President Jammeh had been blown out of proportion by politicians, ignorant of the fact that Ghanaian nationals are opportune with a permanent settlement in the Gambia where approximately 5000 of them live in absolute freedom.
The press marshalled a campaign of defamation and insults on The Gambia for the period the bodies were discovered, ignorant of President Jammeh's respect for humanity and the philosophy of African value. At the forum, he told delegates, the issue had hurt him so much. It must be understood that it was a smear campaign against The Gambia hosting the African Union Summit the following year.

It was not during his tenure when the incident happened, but President John Evans Atta-Mills of Ghana is happy that the dividing issue has formally been resolved to open the doors of partnership and cooperation between Accra and Banjul.

The two governments also pledged to pursue, through all available means, the arrest and prosecution of all those involved in the deaths and disappearances of the Ghanaians concerned and the other ECOWAS nationals .
The findings discovered the six Ghanaians and the other two ECOWAS nationals were victims of of a human trafficking scam, the two governments as a result called for stiff measures to punish identified traffickers with support from the international community.

It was the D-Day for The Gambia's vindication before the international community on an issue so sensitive and delicate that almost tarnished the image of little Gambia. The MOU was but clear, that the Government of The Gambia had no hand in the deaths of the eight. In fact, The President explained, there are convicts on death row in Gambian prison facilities whose execution has never been implemented. It will be indeed, ironical then that his government will go on a killing spree of Ghanaian nationals.

Click Here for Statement of the MOU

Report By Abdou Njie