By: UDP Media Team

“UDP notes with grave concern that President Barrow perpetually dwells on tribal sentiments exposing his mindset that thrives on division and sees elected public office as an entitlement.

As a political party, and as citizens, UDP is duty-bound to remind the President that it is out of place to single out a community or class of citizens for castigation based on their political choices.

Even more egregious is the singling out of the Mandinka community of LRR and labelling them as personal enemies, exposing them to hate, vilification, and political ostracization.

The presidency is the highest position of honour and privilege, and all citizens expect that the incumbent president will conduct himself with humility as a servant of the people.

The disgraced and exiled former President Jammeh employed the same disgusting tactics and went even further to threaten the Mandinka community with expulsion from their homeland and death.

The Gambian people rejected dictator Jammeh’s bigotry then, and they rejected this despicable attempt by the President and any future leader.

UDP believes that our linguistic diversity is a source of strength for our homeland. Gambians are not blinded by political sycophancy and personal greed for power and wealth to know that tribal acrimony will be disastrous for the country.

Nothing is a greater threat to national security than attacking citizens for who they are.
It is noteworthy that history teaches that all failed leaders employ the same divisive tactics. Because they have nothing to offer to the people. President Barrow has little to show for the improvements he has made to people’s lives or explain the plans he has to improve the lives of the people of LRR, the only thing he can rely on to stay in power is by pitting citizens against each other.

In all his stops across the country, the president not once was heard talking about or defending his extortionist 2025 budget.

But that is not surprising, he sees the constitutionally mandated tour as an extension of his political activities and so conducts himself accordingly.

As a party, the UDP is squarely focused on policies that impact the lives of poor struggling Gambians and at this critical stage, when the executive has proposed a wasteful budget, we will not be distracted by utterances that further attest to a flawed character trait and clear manifestation for Gambians to come to terms with the fact that the man tasked with the role of improving their lives is not up to the task.

That fact should be clear to all. After seven years in power, he has failed to improve himself, speaks with the same demeanour, and lacks a grasp of the most fundamental issues. If governments demand and receive tax revenue from citizens, which The Gambia government does, it is obligated to cater to the needs of those citizens without considering such obligation as a favour bestowed through political allegiance.

The president’s utterances in LRR threatening the citizens that without their political support, their needs would not be addressed is shameful and shows a lack of touch with reality. The president is obligated to serve the needs of the people whether such people voted for him or not because the funds come directly from the people, or indirectly through grants and loans secured in the name of the people and not from the president’s pocket. This conflation of the personal with the state is a manifest threat to democratic norms and unfortunately, this president has proven that democracy is an inconvenience.

As diverse people, we call on all Gambians to embrace our diversity and reject the politics of division and all politicians who trade in such.”

By Michaella Faith Wright

The Gambia Action Party (GAP) has expressed deep concern over recent remarks made by President Adama Barrow during a private meeting with elders in the Lower River Region, describing them as divisive and counterproductive to national unity.

In a statement signed by Secretary General and Party Leader Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly, GAP criticized the President’s reference to a specific tribe, calling it unnecessary and unbecoming of a leader tasked with fostering harmony in a diverse nation. The remarks, reportedly stemming from President Barrow’s reflections on his experiences during the 2021 elections, have been met with widespread public criticism.

“As the head of state, President Barrow is expected to rise above tribal sentiments and serve as a unifying figure for all Gambians,” the statement emphasized. “By singling out one tribe, he risks creating division and mistrust among citizens at a time when our focus should be on strengthening our shared identity as Gambians.”

The party further highlighted The Gambia’s reputation for ethnic diversity and peaceful coexistence, cautioning that divisive language from the country’s highest office could undermine these values. GAP urged the President to adopt a more inclusive approach and avoid rhetoric that may polarize the population.

“We call on President Barrow to reflect on the implications of his words and prioritize dialogue that unites Gambians,” the statement added.

Reiterating its commitment to promoting peace and stability, GAP encouraged all Gambians to reject divisive rhetoric and work collectively to build a cohesive and prosperous nation.

By Dawda Baldeh

President Adama Barrow is facing criticism from the opposition due to what has been characterised as tribal remarks made during a recent closed-door meeting with elders in the Lower River Region.

In a video circulating on social media, Barrow expressed his disappointment regarding what he described as “Mandinka opposition,” saying that he lost in Mandinka-dominated areas in the 2021 presidential election, particularly in Kiang.

“My supporters were angry with me. In Kiang West alone, I constructed 87 kilometres of road, and they don’t support me. My development is everywhere but I lost in all the polling stations in Mandinka villages,” Barrow said.

These comments have been met with criticism recently, especially from the opposition who called on Gambians to condemn such remarks.

Joining the critics are Momodou Mc Cham Junior, the councillor for Business and Tailoring at the Kanifing Municipal Council, and Omar Ceesay, the former opposition member of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) National Assembly for Niamina East.

“We must not allow such tribal politics to continue, and I called on Gambians to condemn President Barrow’s remarks. Tribalism has no place in our country. There is no Mandinka polling station in the country,” Cham told The Fatu Network.

Cham argued that The Gambia has a diverse ethnic group, and all villages are mixed with different ethnic groups. According to him, Barrow’s government has failed the people.

“Even in his ongoing tour, they gathered people from three constituencies at a meeting to fake a crowd. We all know people are tired of Barrow and his time is over,” he added.

He claimed that Barrow lost the election in many places due to people losing trust in his government.

On the other hand, Omar Ceesay, a former opposition lawmaker also said the remarks from President Barrow are disgusting.

“Barrow’s tribal political rhetoric [is] disgusting. Barrow should desist from any political rhetoric that has the potential to impede social cohesion and hinder progress toward national unity and development,” he said.

They called on President Barrow to focus his energy on uniting Gambians and delivering on his promises.

“It’s imperative for political leaders especially the president to transcend such divisions and prioritize inclusive and equitable policies that will benefit all citizens, rather than perpetuating tribal bigotry rhetorics that only serve to divide and weaken our society,” Ceesay added.

They called Gambians to stand united against any kind of tribal or religious political rhetoric.

By: The Fatu Network Editorial

The United Democratic Party (UDP) has officially announced the postponement of its nationwide tour, which was set to begin today, November 28. In a statement issued by the party, the UDP explained that the delay follows a request from the Inspector-General of Police and the non-issuance of the necessary permit for the tour. While the party expressed that it does not find the reason given by the police “plausible,” it has chosen to comply with the request “for the sake of good order.” The party also reassured the public that new dates for the tour will be announced in due course.

The Inspector-General of Police had earlier requested the UDP to reschedule its tour, citing the allocation of police resources to the President’s ongoing “Meet the People” tour. The police explained that their personnel were fully deployed to secure the Presidential tour, making it impossible to manage additional events at the same time. The UDP has not commented on whether it intends to pursue any further action regarding the police’s request.

The full statement from the UDP reads:

“The United Democratic Party (UDP) regrets to inform the members, supporters, sympathizers, well-wishers, and the public that the UDP Nationwide tour by the Secretary-General and Party Leader His Excellency Alhaji ANM OUSAINU DARBOE, which was scheduled to commence today Thursday 28th November 2024, has been postponed until further notice due to a request and non-issuance of the permit by the Inspector General of Police. The reason given by the Police resulting in this postponement is not plausible in the Party’s view, but for the sake of good order, UDP has decided to delay the Tour. The new dates will be announced in due course.”

This announcement marks the latest development in the ongoing back-and-forth between the UDP and the police over the timing of the party’s tour.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Gambia’s Health Minister, Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, has responded to what many have described as an attack by Gambian protesters in New York during the United Nations General Assembly. Dr. Samateh, who was reportedly harassed by the protesters, condemned them as “Kiang people” who have betrayed him. He made these remarks during a joint meeting in Sankandi village, where he shared his shock and disappointment over the incident.

“I felt very embarrassed and disappointed by the actions of my own people directed against me in New York. I was insulted and humiliated by individuals from my community. This was not a protest; it was an attack,” he recounted. Dr. Samateh further disclosed that he recognized most of the protesters, noting that many had been supported by his father during their schooling. “These are individuals for whom my family has done everything. Some of them were funded by my father,” he stated.

In response to the incident, Dr. Samateh urged those he referred to as “Kiankas” to change their behavior, emphasizing that the conduct of the protesters was malicious and inappropriate. “This was malicious conduct from the protesters in front of the world. They could have acted better. I am not afraid of them, but I have chosen to ignore them. I also have family members and children who could easily retaliate, but we choose to remain humble due to the upbringing we received and the lessons from our leader, President Barrow,” he explained.

The health minister also shared that the incident left him feeling devastated. “Everyone in my family, friends, and loved ones were all affected, but I always encourage them not to respond to anyone,” he said. Dr. Samateh expressed his gratitude to the government and to everyone who supported him during the alleged attack in New York, reassuring his supporters that he would continue to serve with unwavering loyalty.

“I can assure you (people of Kiang) that what you have in this government has not been available since independence. And to those of you urging me to resign, you should understand that even if I step down, I will continue to support President Barrow. I will be even more active in backing Barrow, even if he dismisses me today,” he stated.

Dr. Samateh also emphasized the importance of resolving disagreements peacefully without resorting to violence.

By Michaella Faith Wright

Former National Assembly Member Omar Ceesay has called on President Adama Barrow to use his nationwide “Meet the People” tour as an opportunity to evaluate government policies and directly address the pressing challenges facing Gambians.

Ceesay believes the tour should focus on gathering valuable insights to create actionable solutions that enhance citizens’ livelihoods and drive national development.

Speaking on the significance of the tour, Ceesay emphasized that it must prioritize open dialogue, allowing citizens to voice their concerns, expectations, and frustrations without fear of political bias. He urged the government to actively engage with people from diverse backgrounds to identify key priority areas, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, and employment creation.

“The tour should serve as a fact-finding mission to bridge the gap between the government and the people. It’s an opportunity to review existing policies, address shortcomings, and develop a roadmap that aligns with the needs of ordinary Gambians,” he stated.

Ceesay also highlighted the potential of such engagements to foster transparency and accountability within the government, noting that meaningful interactions during the tour could strengthen democratic governance and promote inclusivity.

He concluded by urging the Barrow administration to use the tour as a platform for rebuilding trust and ensuring that the voices of Gambians guide future policy decisions.