Gambia Action Party has called on President Adama Barrow to rescind its one-day public holiday declaration.
In a statement, the Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly-led party said: “From the very beginning of Gambia Action Party, we promise to respect the plight of the people and render honest and sincere advices to the government of the day for the best interest of the nation. We are calling on the President to revisit the declaration of making only Tuesday as a public holiday in observance of Tobaski feast.
“The Gambia as a nation has over eighty percent of Muslim population and we urge the Government to make Monday half working day and accord the Public and Civil Servants who may want to travel to the inland country to spend time with their families, Tuesday and Wednesday as public holidays and work resumes on Thursday.
“We must be conscious of the fact that our nation at this juncture is in dare need of prayers as we approach elections campaign full of uncertainties due to security threats. Our collective efforts and responsibilities must be geared towards nurturing national peace and stability. We are calling on all the citizens regardless of political beliefs to preach peace and unity to ensure election free from violence and its related issues.
“Our faith has been tested on previous occasions during an unprecedented period that engulfed the nation with fear and worrisome, but we managed and proved to the world that our strength rest on nationalism, togetherness and tolerance. Our time arrive to maintain similar features that will shape our destiny as a nation through hard work, unity and sincerity.”
