President Adama Barrow on Monday night gave a stern warning to Banjul North National Assembly Member Modou Lamin Bah, over his participation in a protest at State House gate, describing the act as a treasonable offence.
Hon Bah led a group of Banjulians who walked to the State House gate to protest against acute power cuts that affected the Greater Banjul Area several weeks ago.
The protest that became popular as the candlelight protest, was peaceful and was instantly replicated across towns and villages affected by similar power cuts.
But speaking in the capital at the end of his Meet The People Tour, President Barrow accused Bah of leading young children to State House gate for a protest which he said is a serious crime. “It’s a treasonable offence”, Barrow said. He said any such act under former president Jammeh would result in deadly consequences.
“I am warning him, if he dares go there again, he will not repeat it. What will be done to him, he will never forget that until his death,” the president said.
It is not the first time that Barrow has taken issues with the opposition lawmaker.
On one occasion when he attended the president’s Meet The People Tour meeting Hon Bah publicly lamented the alleged poor condition of the country’s main hospital , a claim the president immediately rejected.
In a swift reply to the latest accusations by the president, Hon Bah characterised the president’s remarks as a threat against him.
He argued that the candlelight demonstration was peaceful, lawful and intended to project the grievances of ordinary Gambians.
“We held candles, not weapons. We sang for justice, not violence. We stood for light in darkness,” Hon Bah said.
He maintained that the protest was conducted with prior notification and was an exercise of rights guaranteed under Section 25 of the 1997 Constitution, which protects freedoms including peaceful assembly and expression.
The lawmaker said the president’s remarks had caused him to fear for his safety and that of his family. He called on the Inspector General of Police to guarantee their security and urged the National Assembly, civil society organisations, human rights institutions, religious leaders and the international community to monitor the situation.
Reactions
Meanwhile the president’s utterances have drawn sharp criticisms from many quarters while his senior aides too came out to defuse the tension with clarifications.
Saikou Camara of the opposition UDP, responsible for Media and Communications, condemned the president’s remarks, describing the ‘threats’ against Bah as an attack on democracy and the rule of law.
He said the candlelight protest reflected public frustration over electricity shortages and that allegations against an elected representative should be handled through lawful procedures.
He also urged Gambians to reject political intimidation and defend constitutional freedoms, arguing that no president should be above the law.
However Momodou Sabally, Presidential Adviser and youth president of the NPP accused Hon Bah of being a charlatan posing as the people’s representative and seeking cheap attention.
“Modou Lamin Bah faces no threat in this country and he knows it. President Barrow simply gave him fatherly advice not to repeat the reckless and treasonable act he performed by using minors to lead a march to State House at midnight. This is unacceptable in any civilised society.
What the president did is what any responsible father would do to his son. You must wag the finger at your son when he acts in reckless and irresponsible ways.
In fact this ‘poseur’ is quite lucky because the president could have brought him to the Arch and flog him in public; and that would actually be acceptable according to our culture because that is how we discipline our unruly kids from our days at Daara Pa Ablie in Primet at Banjul. And that would still be in order because giving your child an injection to cure his malaria is not a sign of hatred. It is still love and care even though the myopic child would not understand.
The NAM for Banjul North wants to take the presidents advice to seek cheap popularity and make the most ridiculous claim that his life is at risk,” Sabally said.
Saihou Mballow, another presidential adviser, said the president did not mean any harm and he was just advising Hon Bah against using minors to a very sensitive security area like the State House to protest .
”Everyone knows that Barrow is the most peaceful leader anyone can get anywhere. Nothing will happen to Hon Bah as Barrow means no harm at all,” Mballow assured.
Madi Jobarteh, a prominent activist reminded President Barrow that daily protests take place before the White House in the US, the most guarded house in the world, as well as in front of presidential palaces or state houses around the world.
“The State House is the People’s House. It does not belong to the president,” Jobarteh said.
