Dear Editor,
I write to express my deep concern and disappointment over the recent press release issued by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of The Gambia regarding the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) handling of the nomination of the Unite candidate, Talib Bensouda.
The NHRC is established to be an impartial guardian of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law for all Gambians, regardless of political affiliation. Its mandate demands neutrality, fairness, and evidence-based intervention. Regrettably, its latest statement on this matter fails that test.
By rushing to issue a press release that appears to prejudge the IEC’s nomination process and to side with one political camp, the commission has abandoned its role as a neutral arbiter and entered the political fray. The IEC is an independent constitutional body with its own legal procedures for vetting nominations. If there are genuine human rights concerns, they should be raised through proper, measured, and balanced channels, not through a public statement that reads more like a partisan press release than an impartial human rights assessment.
This is dangerous for our democracy for three reasons:
It undermines public trust: When the NHRC is perceived as biased, citizens lose faith not only in the Commission, but in the entire electoral process it claims to protect.
It pressures the IEC: A public statement from a state human rights body carries weight. Issuing it while the nomination process is on-going creates undue pressure on the IEC to act in a particular direction, rather than according to law and evidence.
It sets a bad precedent: If the NHRC can intervene selectively in favour of one candidate, what stops it from doing the same against another candidate tomorrow?
The Gambia has worked hard to rebuild democratic institutions after years of authoritarian rule. Those institutions only survive if they remain independent and above partisan politics. The NHRC must not become a tool for political advocacy.
I call on the executive secretary and commissioners of the NHRC to withdraw or clarify its statement, to explain the legal and factual basis for its intervention, and to recommit itself to impartiality. It should engage all stakeholders equally, including the IEC, and allow due process to take its course.
Our democracy deserves institutions that protect everyone, not just those they choose to favour.
Bamba K Susso
Bakau New Town
NUP did not join Team Gambia, NUP remains in alliance with Unite Party
Dear Editor,
Out of public interest, we have been overwhelmed by people seeking clarity on the party’s position on the Unite – NUP Alliance and Team Gambia Grand Coalition.
For the avoidance of doubt, the general public is hereby informed that the National Unity Party signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Unite Party. That alliance was signed on behalf of two independent political parties, not individuals and is still legally binding. The parties are firmly committed to the spirit of the Alliance. Thus, I wish to reaffirm that the MoU is an institutional commitment, made in good faith, for the good of the country.
For the record, the decision to commit to the Team Gambia Coalition was never a unanimous decision of the National Executive Committee of the NUP, unlike in the case of the Unite – NUP Alliance which secured a unanimous approval by the National Executive Committee.
The Team Gambia Coalition arrangement was a decision made by Lamin J Darbo and a few other party executives, in their personal capacities without the NUP Executive Committee approval. There is no existing resolution suggesting that the party made a decision to commit to the Team Gambia Coalition process.
Furthermore, a video is circulating online, said to have emanated from the Team Gambia press conference, where Lamin J Darbo allegedly stated that “his party NUP will not be fielding a candidate, so, he has to advise himself as to which coalition to commit to and he chose Team Gambia.”
While I respect Darbo’s personal decision to align with Team Gambia, it is imperative that we set the record straight. I have also taken note of public arguments suggesting that Lamin J Darbo has resigned from the NUP. However, at the time of releasing this statement, the NUP Executive Committee is yet to receive any formal resignation from Lamin J Darbo, well, not to my knowledge. Therefore, as far as Lamin J Darbo has neither resigned nor been removed in accordance with the Party Constitution, he legally remains the party leader.
The NUP remains a registered, active, and principled political party committed to the alliance with Unite Party.
The Gambian people deserve clarity from their parties, and clarity from their institutions. That is all I seek with this statement.
Abubacarr Jarjou
Spokesperson, National Unity Party
