The newly reinstated Chief of Kombo South, Lamin S. Darboe, has disclosed that he turned down offers of governor and chieftaincy positions on grounds of principle under the regime of Yaya Jammeh. He was speaking to Belgium based Editor of @Gunjur - The Voice of Dabanani, Alieu Jabang who had an exclusive interview with him while on holiday in The Gambia.

Darboe was removed in December 1995 from his position as Chief of Kombo South by the then military junta led by Yahya AJJ Jammeh. Quizzed as to why he turned down several offers of governor and chieftaincy positions in the Jammeh era , he said: "I decided to take my removal in good fate. I distanced myself completely away from them. I knew it was a blessing for me because I never wanted to be associated with such a leadership. This is why I stayed away from them and kept a low profile. I joined the opposition as a member until today. I campaigned for the removal of the dictatorship and it has paid off. It is no surprise to me that I am reinstated again. Frankly, it's not a surprise to me. " Pressed whether local government authorities should be involved in party politics, he said: "As far as I am concerned, all local authorities must stay away from active party politics and concern themselves with their people's needs and concerns since their involvement in active politics might cause mistrust and lack of confidence in them especially those with different party affiliations". On the prospects of Kombo South coming up with a presidential candidate for the next electoral cycle, he equivocated: "We have not arrived yet at that position after 22 years of dictatorship. Let's give the present leadership chance to deliver their electoral promises. I know that Kombo South played a vital role in the independence struggle of The Gambia as well as the struggle against dictatorship. We have some fine gentlemen and women that can take up that challenge, but I think we should allow the present leadership in the coalition government to fulfil their electoral promises." "Rome was not built in one day, we need to exercise patience. We have a long way to go as a people and a nation especially after 22 eventful years of a brutal dictatorship and a completely battered economy inherited from them", chief Darboe concluded.

Photo: Chief Lamin S. Darboe of Kombo South