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Momodou
Denmark
11734 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Sep 2009 : 17:41:13
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Isatou Njie-Saidy Breaks Vice Presidency Record
Saikou Jammeh
 The Gambian vice president Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy is continuing on her uninterrupted tenure in the country’s second highest and most important office, breaking a record of being the longest serving assistant chief executive in the history of The Gambia.
With 12 years serving in the position -1997 to date, Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy’s tenure of office surpassed that of the previous record holder, Mr. Bakary B. Dabo who had served in the position for ten years during the former regime.
Since 1970 when The Gambia gained republican status with its constitution given the mandate to the chief executive to appoint principal assistant, The Gambia has had six vice presidents, all in the former regime and Isatou Njie-Saidy as the seventh in the present regime.
In the sequence of their appointments; Mr. Sheriff Dibba was appointed by the former president Jawara as The Gambia’s first vice president. Mr. Dibba however resigned and was replaced by Mr. Assan Musa Camara.
The latter was removed and replaced with Alhagie A.B Njie. Mr. Njie’s tenure was short lived and Mr. Camara bounced back in 1977 and continued until 1982 when he was replaced by Bakary B. Dabo, who served in position till 1992.
Mr. Dabo was removed and replaced by Saihou Sabally, whose tenure was brought to an abrupt end by the military takeover in 1994. Since then The Gambia was without a vice president though there were vice chairmen during the two-year transition period namely: Sanna Sabally and Edward Singhateh respectively.
It was not until March 1997 that president Yaya Jammeh elevated Isatou Njie-Saidy from her former post as the Minister for Health, Social Welfare and Women’s Affairs to become the first vice president in the military-turned civilian government and the first woman to hold such a high position in The Gambia.
The Daily news recounted that the appointment of Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy as the deputy chief executive came in the wake of controversy and criticism from the press, opposition parties, and national assembly and the public in general following President Jammeh’s announcement of his constituted cabinet two months after he was sworn-in leaving the position of vice president vacant.
President Jammeh’s obvious choice, according to press records was Rtd Cap. Edward Singhateh who became his number two, following his previous Vice Chairman, Sanna Sabally and Sadibou Hydara’s alleged coup attempt. However Edward was constitutionally disqualified as he was found to be below the constitutionally required age of 30.
Media reports raised concern over the eminent danger of the president’s failure to appoint his principal assistant in the event that he was no more, since Edward was below age and the then Speaker Wadda who should assume office was above age.
The main opposition United Democratic Party in its reaction did not only make a furor at the national assembly, but went up to the extent of unceremoniously marching out, for president Jammeh’s failure to name his cabinet two months after he was sworn-in and even subsequently did without filling the position of Vice President.
In its subsequent press release the lawyer-led party branded the president’s decision as unconstitutional calling on him to respect the constitution which he then newly assented to. Even after her appointment, reports indicated that the row subsided but there was an element of disaffection in some quarters.
The leader of the National Reconciliation Party Hamat Bah had convened a press conference telling journalists in very clear terms that he would not commend the president for the move because the President should have done it earlier instead of waiting for him to be told. Known for his attack on the president and his administration, Hamat Bah is his own words said, “the hanky panky continued until the president knows he will not succeed in his unwise move.”
Isatou Njie-Saidy who was first appointed in the cabinet in June 1996 as the Minister for Health, Social Welfare and Women Affairs is also the longest serving Minister in the Jammeh administration which is notorious for frequent hirings and firings up to date.
Source: The Daily News
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 08 Sep 2009 : 06:48:10
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| A very good overview of the Gambia's vice presidency. Does anyone really know Isatou Njie Saidy? This mysterious woman has served under Jammeh (a hard-to-please, difficult person, who has hired and fired more people than perhaps any living president) uninteruppted for almost a decade and a half-the longest ever in Gambian history. Her late husband Jay Saidy was a prominent person in the Jawara's PPP regime. Since I have never heard any major policy statement made by Ms. Saidy (it is almost always that she has received some diplomats, guests, or precided over some ceremony or workshop on behalf of President Jammeh), I am not familiar with what her personal philosophy of life or world outlook is. I am not equally familiar with her personal life, especially since the death of her prominent husband. What is her role and influence in the government and on President Jammeh? Who is Dr. Isatou Njie Saidy, the person, and the Vice President? |
Edited by - kayjatta on 08 Sep 2009 06:50:13 |
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