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"...about six tourist buses arrived from hotels, in a matter of hours on Friday, dropping clients to catch return flights."
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TOURISTS FLEEING GAMBIA IN ANTICIPATION OF 3YRS JOTNA DEMO?
Our reporters gather that tourists were fleeing Gambia fearing the consequences of the planned December protests in West Africa’s tourist magnet. The protest is hinged on gung-ho President Adama Barrow’s announcement to stay in power beyond campaign promise.
At Gambia’s international airport, eye witnesses say about six tourist buses arrived from hotels, in a matter of hours on Friday, dropping clients to catch return flights. Earlier, we received information that the Barra ferry terminal witnessed a surge of traffic as many cross to Senegal for safety.
Below, we reproduce tips from our strategic sources: “As we speak thousands of people have started crossing the border at Amdalai into Senegal, revered sources stationed at the border said from North Bank region Thursday morning.
Sources continued that Gambians are fleeing en masse into Senegal following the official announcement of ‘3 years Jotna’ to embark on a country wide protest to demand President Barrow to respect the coalition agreement and step down after the transitional period of three years. Sources reported similar developments in Farafenni where people were crossing the border into Senegal.
We also contacted ferry officials in Banjul who also said they’ve seen a huge increase in passengers crossing to Barra from Banjul. We don’t know where they’re heading to but one of them said to me, ” I’m taking my family to my sister in Dakar because this country is on the verge of burning if the government does not take the necessary steps to arrest the situation,” The GPA official kindly told this medium on a whatsapp call from Banjul ferry terminal.
In Banjul, Serrekunda and Brikama, people are buying rice and other commodities to stock at home in the event the situation goes out of hand. “My son, all my children have all gone to their Uncle in Senegal since yesterday because we don’t want a replica of what happened in the political impasse. I think they should sit and talk about this and solve it amicably in the interest of the country. I’m here in the Serrekunda market but since this was aired in the public every body started parking their goods and taking them home because we don’t know what’s going to happen, ” stated Aja Binta Njie on the line from Serrekunda market Thursday morning.
Eyewitnesses further confirmed to this medium that most businesses are closing in Serrekunda and Banjul. Modou Sarr, said in Banjul most shops are owned by Senegalese and a majority of them are closing for fear of the protest. Mr. Sarr said the government should not take this matter lightly and called on President Barrow to cancel his tour and address this matter before it goes out of hand. He said the “Albert market is like a ghost town and businesses are dead here.”
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