By: Seringe S.T. Touray

A political storm is brewing in Banjul’s Half Die Ward as the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the National People’s Party (NPP) exchange accusations over a leaked audio recording containing tribalist remarks against the Fulani community.

The controversy began Thursday when the UDP issued a strongly worded statement condemning what it described as “tribalist rhetoric” allegedly made by a woman affiliated with the NPP. According to the UDP, the leaked audio – provided to The Fatu Network – originated from an NPP WhatsApp group and targeted the Fula ethnic group, referring to them as “betrayers” and questioning the candidacy of Momodou Salieu, a Fula of Guinean heritage running under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) ticket. The UDP described the incident as part of a broader pattern of “ethnic division” allegedly fostered under the NPP-led administration.

The party demanded a public apology from the NPP, an investigation by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), and a national dialogue on ethnic tolerance, warning that such rhetoric poses a threat to national unity.

In response, the NPP denied any involvement that evening, describing the UDP’s statement as “malicious propaganda.” In a press release signed by Deputy Spokesperson Seedy S.K. Njie, the ruling party said its preliminary inquiry found no evidence linking the woman in the audio to the NPP. It insisted that the person in question has no affiliation with the party, which it said remains committed to inclusivity and the rejection of tribal politics.

The NPP emphasized its appreciation for the Fulani community’s contributions to national development and highlighted that President Adama Barrow himself has Fulani ancestry. The party accused the UDP of exploiting the incident to sway voters in favor of the PPP/UDP-backed candidate, calling the tactic “barbaric” and “divisive.”

On Friday, the UDP issued a second statement refuting the NPP’s denial and what it termed “deceptive propaganda.” The party said it had evidence, including a screenshot – also provided to The Fatu Network – that confirms the audio originated from within the NPP’s “Team Bollo for Councillor” WhatsApp group. The UDP accused the NPP of hypocrisy and attempting to deflect responsibility, insisting that the NPP must apologize and hold its members accountable.

The UDP maintains that the incident reflects a “habitual reliance on lies, bigotry, and deception” by the ruling party and reiterated its call for voters to reject tribal politics in favor of unity and democratic progress.

As the Half Die Ward by-election approaches tomorrow, Saturday, the back-and-forth between the country’s two dominant political forces underscores the rising tensions in a race many are closely watching.

Written By: Seringe S.T. Touray

Mai Ahmad Fatty’s fiery press conference on Thursday, where he accused Kassa TV of hacking his phone and defaming him feels more like a deflection than a defense. If his phone was truly hacked, where is the evidence? Doesn’t he use a password or biometric lock, like most of us? And why wasn’t this reported to the police before facing the cameras? Has he filed that report yet, and will he be keeping the public updated on the findings of such investigation?

Mai claimed once again that his phone was hacked for a second time during his press conference, to publish a post that evidently appeared to have been AI-generated – again accusing Kassa TV. This occurred while he was using his phone to record the press conference, which he presented as evidence that he couldn’t have posted anything at that very moment. But this logic is flimsy at best. One doesn’t need the same phone to post something online. Most platforms are simultaneously accessible via both phone and computer, and it’s entirely possible for someone to coordinate a post on his behalf, especially if the goal is to shift blame.

The reality is, it looks very much like Mai got caught using ChatGPT to help craft a political statement. That’s not a scandal – it’s a sign of the times. In many developed nations, professionals and institutions are increasingly and openly embracing the use of AI technology to improve their work and performance. Of course, like any tool, AI can be used responsibly or irresponsibly – it all depends on the person using it.

Unfortunately, the shame still exists here, in The Gambia, where we don’t even distinguish between responsible and irresponsible use. We simply shame anyone who uses AI at all. Instead of embracing innovation, we turn it into yet another weapon to tear each other down.

Rather than admitting what happened, it appears as though Mai lashed out, accusing a media platform of foul play without presenting a shred of proof. If these accusations are false, what he said could constitute defamation.

We must stop stigmatizing technology and start learning how to use it responsibly, because whether anybody likes it or not, unless you’re one of the indigenous groups in the Amazon who have actively avoided or rejected contact with outsiders, everyone else in the world uses AI one way or another. If Mai used AI, he should have just owned it. Instead, he seemed more worried about protecting his ego than telling the truth – and the public appears to see through it.

By: The Fatu Network Editorial

Kassa TV issued a sharp rebuttal to accusations made earlier in the day by Mai Ahmad Fatty, leader of the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC), who alleged during a press conference that the online media platform had hacked his Facebook account and deliberately spread misinformation to damage his political image.

Fatty, during the press conference, firmly denied allegations that he used ChatGPT to draft political statements, describing the claim as a calculated attempt to “portray [him] as intellectually incapable.”

“Everybody in this country knows who I am—my ability to write and speak. I don’t have to defend myself,” Fatty said. “But it is a shame for Kassa TV to do this… to hack into my phone at a time when the nation is a witness to such a lie.”

He further claimed that a Facebook post cited by Kassa TV as evidence was published while he was speaking live to the press: “God being so good, the post they made appeared at a time when I was using the phone live—in front of you, the journalists.”

Fatty characterized the situation as a politically motivated smear campaign: “Kassa TV and its allies hacked into my phone to create a false political impression. They are shameless… But I can tell them that they have failed.”

Shortly after Fatty’s press conference, Kassa TV released a response titled “You Got Caught. Don’t Blame Us,” firmly rejecting the hacking allegations and doubling down on its claim that Fatty used AI-generated content in his public address.

“Let’s not waste time sugarcoating the truth,” the statement begins. “Mai Fatty used ChatGPT to write his press conference speech, and he forgot to edit out the AI-generated text before going live.”

According to the media outlet, Fatty later posted the same unedited speech to his Facebook page—before realizing the oversight. “We screenshot [it] as evidence,” Kassa TV claimed. “Now that the public has seen through the performance, he’s trying to spin the story by blaming Kassa TV for ‘spreading misinformation.’ That’s not only false—it’s embarrassing.”

Rejecting any suggestion of misconduct, Kassa TV insisted their reporting was factual and evidence-based.

“We didn’t fabricate anything. We reported the facts, backed by clear evidence: a political leader caught using AI to fake a public address,” the response read. “That’s not leadership. That’s laziness and deception.”

The statement also criticized Fatty’s approach, suggesting that instead of accepting responsibility, he chose to attack the media: “Instead of apologizing to the Gambian people, he’s attacking the media for doing its job. We won’t be intimidated. The truth doesn’t need defending—it just needs exposure.”

Whether these explosive claims and counterclaims will lead to legal consequences or simply deepen the political divide remains to be seen – but the spotlight is now firmly fixed on the intersection of AI, politics, and press freedom in The Gambia.

By: Alieu Jallow

In a dramatic press conference earlier today, Mai Ahmad Fatty, leader of the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC), launched a scathing attack against online media outlet Kassa TV, accusing it of hacking his official Facebook account and deliberately spreading misinformation to tarnish his reputation.

Fatty, visibly agitated after the event, vehemently denied allegations that he used ChatGPT to draft political statements, describing the accusation as a calculated attempt to portray him as intellectually incapable.

“Everybody in this country knows who I am—my ability to write and speak. I don’t have to defend myself. But it is a shame for Kassa TV to do this,” he said. “It’s a shame for Kassa TV and her allies to hack into my phone at a time when the nation is a witness to such a lie.”

The former Interior Minister further alleged that Kassa TV and its affiliates manipulated his social media presence in an effort to discredit him politically.

“They are shameless. But I can tell them that they have failed,” he declared. “God being so good, the post they made appeared at a time when I was using the phone live—in front of you, the journalists. The picture was taken while I was standing here answering your questions. Kassa TV and its allies hacked into my phone to create a false political impression.”

According to Fatty, the alleged orchestration was part of a broader agenda to mislead the public and delegitimize him, claiming Kassa TV is aligned with political forces bent on using digital tools to ridicule and discredit opponents.

He vowed to pursue the matter with law enforcement authorities, warning that such actions not only damage individual reputations but also threaten the integrity of political discourse in the country.

As political tensions in The Gambia rise, Fatty’s explosive allegations may prompt further scrutiny into the digital conduct of media platforms and their potential political affiliations.

By Alieu Jallow

The Governor of the North Bank Region, Lamin Saidykhan, has voiced serious concern over the absence of several key government institutions at a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting currently underway in Kerewan, funded by ActionAid The Gambia.

Speaking during the opening session, Governor Saidykhan underscored the importance of the TAC platform, describing it as a vital space for stakeholders to present achievements and address challenges in the region’s development process. He warned that the nonattendance of some institutions undermines the spirit of transparency and accountability the meeting is designed to uphold.

“We want to identify which institutions are not here and haven’t even sent an apology. This is not a joke—this is a serious matter,” he said. “If you didn’t attend, we need to know why. And let me be clear: this won’t stop here. We are escalating this to the national level. If your institution is absent and fails to provide any information, how do you plan to explain that at the national level?”

He further emphasized that institutions have a duty to attend and submit their reports.
“My responsibility is to compile and present everything you provide at the national level. If your report is missing, I won’t speak on your behalf—your ministry or department will have to answer for that,” he asserted.

TAC meetings are quarterly engagements that bring together local government authorities, civil society actors, development partners, and sectoral departments to evaluate progress and challenges in regional implementation efforts. ActionAid The Gambia, a key supporter of grassroots development in the region, is facilitating the current session as part of its broader efforts to promote participatory governance and citizen engagement.

Governor Saidykhan urged public institutions to treat the meetings with the seriousness they merit, stressing that repeated absences disrupt coordination efforts and reflect a lack of commitment to public service delivery.

“Please convey this message to those who are not here: this is not a joke. It is a serious mandate for every institution to participate in today’s dialogue and fulfil their responsibilities,” he stressed.

Also speaking at the session, Saikou Darboe, Local Rights Programme Manager for Upper Nuimi in the North Bank Region, reaffirmed that the TAC meeting aligns with ActionAid’s governance priorities. He emphasized that supporting transparency and accountability is a key motivation behind funding such engagements.

“TAC meetings are not acts of goodwill—they are a mandatory responsibility for all institutions. I urge all stakeholders to approach them with the seriousness they deserve,” Darboe said.

The ongoing TAC session is expected to conclude with a set of actionable recommendations aimed at enhancing inter-agency coordination and promoting greater accountability among public officials in the region.