Banjul, July 22 The Gambia Journal

President Jammeh has admitted that he is a dictator, but one for “development” and not for corruption. Addressing thousands of people who gathered at the entrance of the city of Banjul to celebrate the thirteenth anniversary of his thirteenth year rule, Mr. Jammeh said yes he is aware that he is called “dictator” in some quarters. In a six hour ceremony full of color, music, dance and merriment, the Gambian leader made a 56 minutes disjointed speech which touched on numerous issues, including his regime’s achievements, youth discipline, mass youth emigration, Sadam Hussein and Iraq, Bin Laden and the war on terror, and the usual harangue against 400 years of British colonial rule.

Earlier, hundreds of school children, APRC groups, soldiers, cultural groups and voluntary organizations marched past the presidential dais singing his praise. Up to a thousand and two hundred party supporters who had been commandeered from all over the country were among the spectators who formed. Thirty people, including the Taiwanese Ambassador Dr. Patrick Chang, GIPFZA boss Kebba Touray, prominent Lebanese business man owner of Kairaba supermarket Mr. Hussain Tajudeen were decorated during the ceremony. The anniversary celebrations are expected to go on till the end of the month and will include the official opening of about half a dozen projects and institutions. Among the crowds could be seen former Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Momodou Sedat Jobe. In an apparent reference to the difficult relationship with neighboring Senegal, President Jammeh singled out the Mauritanian president for praise, calling relations between the countries one of “strategic” partnership. No other country sent any official delegation to the celebrations with the exception of the Mauritanian government that sent a high-powered delegation to attend the official celebrations. Among the many banners carried by the marching crowds were some caring the picture of the Taiwanese President. Some who had expected that the Gambian leader would use the occasion to grant pardon to political prisoners were obviously disappointed.