Essa Bokarr Sey, a former Gambian ambassador to the United States, said it might be related to the recent seizure of a weapons shipment from Iran, in Nigeria, that news reports strongly suggest was destined for Gambia. He said that although it was fine for a country to purchase arms for it's own use, it might not be if they were bought for re-export.2
The two countries have previously developed ties after both were internationally ostracized – Gambia over accusations of human rights abuses and Iran over its nuclear program.1
Gambia supported Iran's nuclear program and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in 2006 that they were both being pressured by “bullying” powers.1
Sey suggested that Iran might be the latest victim to be used by the Gambian President Yayah Jammeh who has a history of making U-turns.1
He said that Jemmeh had in the past named an avenue after the Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi during a period of good relations, only to reverse it when things later went sour.1
He explained that,
Whenever there is a lot of noise and he feels scared and he has been unearthed and identified as somebody who was meeting behind the curtains, he would react in this way to clean himself up2
Sources: 1. AFP, 2. Voice of America (VOA)
Previous report on this story:
Nigeria said to have evidence linking Iran to secret weapons shipment to the country
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