By Buba Gagigo
Young activist Omar Saibo Camara has called on President Adama Barrow to unconditionally withdraw his recent statement and apologize to the Gambians.
He described the actions of Barrow as well as his recent speeches as “terrifying” as the people could see manifest “signs of dictatorial tendencies” which Gambia cannot afford to return.
“His actions and recent speeches are terrifying because we could see clear signs of dictatorial tendencies in the making and as it appears, Gambia cannot afford to return to tranny.
“The President must know that he has no moral or legal authority to decide when, how and where citizens should engage in politics or how political parties should exercise their political rights.
“I therefore call on the president to unconditionally withdraw his statement and apologize to the Gambian people,” activist Omar Saibo Camara said in a statement sent to Kerr Fatou.
Camara said this after President Barrow in a meeting with the Serer Community at State House, said that he will instruct the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to deny permits for political activities when he wins the December 4 presidential election.
However, following public outcry at the President’s remarks, the Government on Tuesday said in a release that President Barrow has no intentions whatsoever to either curtail the freedoms of citizens nor interfere, control or ban political activities either during or after the upcoming Presidential election slated for 4th December, 2021.
The statement argued that the head of state was addressing the amplification of audios and videos in Social Media that subject innocent citizens to daily insults, abuse, innuendoes, ridicule, and urged citizens to desist from such activities.
“Concerned about this worrisome trajectory that has plagued Gambian society in the new dispensation; Mr. Barrow tried to address it in a speech at State House while meeting a cross-section of the Serer Community. That statement has in itself, been grossly exaggerated, mischaracterized and misinterpreted to score cheap political points,” the statement added.
In response to the statement the government, activist Madi Joberteh and persistent critic of the Barrow government described the government statement as a cover up to ‘irresponsible comments of the president’.
Jobarteh maintained that the President’s comments, which seek to undermine the democratic gains of The Gambia, were intentional.
“This press release is an attempt to cover up the irresponsible comments of the president that seek to undermine the democratic gains of the country. The statements by Barrow are indeed his opinion and intention, which his technocrats and advisors encourage him to say. He wants to silence Gambians so that no one will hold him accountable. That means he wants a free hand to rule which tantamount to tyranny and a fertile ground for corruption, ineptitude and human rights violations. Thus, this press release is a mere firefighting strategy but indeed the fire has already blazed out. It cannot be extinguished,” Madi Joberteh said on Facebook
Also reacting was the National Youth President of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) Mc Cham Jr. who urged the president to lead by example.
“Lead by example and ensure what is said is meant and what is meant is said. It’s one of the factors of leadership, which the President lacks. Gambians cannot trust him from the beginning that brought us to this predicament. His actions always demonstrate who he is regardless of the efforts of his press to give people a different view. He is always angry and out of context and touches on the issue at hand,” Mc Cham Jr said
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