(JollofNews) – The Gambia’s minister of the Interior Friday vowed to come down heavily on people using democracy as an excuse to undermine the country’s peace and stability.
Mai Ahmad Fatty said the Gambia is a nation of laws and the regime will take all necessary steps to safeguard the country’s peace.
He added that Gambians voted for democratic change in December 2016 and the Interior ministry will not allow anyone to hide in the name of “New Gambia and democracy” to muddy the well fought change for pluralistic democracy, and respect for human rights.
“You changed the government. You also changed the system. The police are here to uphold and enforce the law,” Mr Fatty aid.
“This new government will not shy away from holding you accountable. Some individuals have been breaking the law in the name of democracy. It happens in Bakau, where some youths attacked drug enforcement officers along the beach for merely executing their duties.
“The New Gambia doesn’t give you the license to smoke weed and use cocaine. The Gambia is a nation of laws and all citizens are expected to abide by the law. An attack on the police will not be tolerated anymore. The police should be respected. The New Gambia comes with new responsibilities. You must protect and defend the law.”
Reacting to Tuesday’s riot in Farato Village where local youths pelted stones at police officers and set fire to a bulldozer and vehicles trying to demolish some houses, Mr Fatty described the incident as mindless violence and unacceptable.
“It was an act of mindless violence meted out to members of the Gambia Police Force in the due execution of their duties,” he said.
“I am not taking it. It is an act of mindless violence against law enforcement. It is not acceptable and I am not going to take it.
“Those who break the law must be dealt with. Such acts are unacceptable. You cannot attack law enforcement for doing their job. We will wage a war against indiscipline and lawlessness.
“We will not condone acts that will undermine the peace and stability of this country. This is a nation of laws. The laws must be enforced. We will not apologize to the citizens and the people Bafalloto for enforcing the law. We will not apologize to anyone. What the police have done was not initiated by this New Government. They were out there to enforce a court order.”