By Muhammed Sailu Bah
It has been announced in the 10pm news bulletin of the national
television on Friday, 26 June 2015, that Hussien Tajudeen, the
Lebanese businessman who was expelled from the country based on
executive orders almost a month ago, has now been pardoned by the
president.This, however, is the second time that this businessman has been
deported and pardoned by an executive order from the president’s
office. The first was in June 2013 which lasted for four months before
he was eventually allowed by a presidential pardon to return and
continue with his business.
According to the news release from the office of the president, Mr.
Tajudeen and his associates are now allowed to continue business
operations after giving assurance that he will practise good business
practices in the country.
This new development came barely few days before the expiry of the 30
June 2015 ultimatum given by the state for Mr. Tajudeen and associates
to close down all their business operations in the Gambia.
Mr. Tajudeen, however, is a major importer of basic commodities in the
country, especially food such as rice, sugar, frozen chicken, flour,
beverages, and also running supermarket chains, among others.
It could recalled that a press release from the president’s office on
Wednesday, 27 May 2015, announced that Mr. Tajudeen was declared
persona non grata and ordered to leave the Gambia within 72 hours and
to wind up his businesses in the country by the end of June.]]>
