Coalition 2026 press statement: The remarks by the Minister of Lands, Hamat Bah, at the NPP rally on Sarturday in Farafenni, held in the presence of President Adama Barrow, represent a dangerous descent into ethnic politics that must not be tolerated in The Gambia. This is becoming the trademark of the NPP government, and it is very dangerous for our democracy and national cohesion. It is even more serious coming from a state minister.
At the rally, Minister Bah declared that “Gambia will never be Lebanon” and warned that “no foreigner will run this country”. While he did not name any candidate, we all understand who he is targeting. What makes this even more serious is that it follows the leaked audio attributed to Seedy Njie, in which he is heard boasting about blocking government appointments and promotions for members of the Mandinka ethnic group. This rhetoric is not only dangerous and hurtful but is a deliberate attempt to distract from the pressing issues of poverty, crime, electricity, financial mismanagement, the weakening of our currency, and governance failures facing our nation.
The Gambia belongs to all Gambians, regardless of their ethnic background or where their great-grandparents came from. The fundamental principle of our democracy is clear: A Jola, Manjago, Serere, Fula, Aku, Sarahulè, or Mandinka born in The Gambia and holding Gambian citizenship has the right to become somebody in this country and to participate in a presidential election, regardless of whether their great-grandparents came from Casamance, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Guinea-Conakry, Sierra Leone, Mali or Lebanon.
Political disagreements are legitimate. Our political discourse should not focus on questioning who is Gambian enough or not based on ethnicity or ancestry. No Gambian should have to prove that they are Gambian enough because of the ethnic origin of their great-grandparents. Every citizen deserves equal dignity, equal protection under the law, and the opportunity to participate in our democratic process in accordance with the Constitution.
We acknowledge the frustration the government is facing due to our unprecedented popularity across the country and in the diaspora. However, this should not become a license to promote tribalism, attack citizens’ constitutional rights, or distract from the real issues: poverty, unemployment, financial mismanagement, and mediocrity in Barrow’s governance – these are the issues deeply affecting every Gambian regardless of ethnicity.
We appeal to President Barrow and his government to calm down and focus their discourse on the real issues for which Gambians are waiting for answers and solutions. That will be far more beneficial than the divide-and-rule tactic they are playing. We condemn this divisive rhetoric in the strongest possible way. We also call on all human rights organizations, civil society groups, religious leaders, and the international community to unequivocally condemn these dangerous statements. The peace and coexistence we have enjoyed for generations are too important to put at risk. We urge President Barrow, as the custodian of the Constitution and the guardian of national unity, to publicly condemn these divisive remarks made by his officials. Silence from the highest office will be interpreted as endorsement and Gambians will not tolerate that.