By Buba Gagigo
Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, the Minister of Information, has acknowledged a mistake in his recent remarks about the Gambian diaspora but maintains his stance that President Adama Barrow has the right to run for a third term in the 2026 presidential election.
During an interview with Eye Africa TV last week, Dr. Ceesay asserted that President Barrow has worked diligently to benefit Gambians without resorting to threats or harm. He stated, “Barrow will contest, and no one can do anything about it. Gambians will vote for him, and he will be done with them before midday.”
He further commented on the opposition to Barrow’s potential third term, saying, “Some of these kids and some ‘Chunes’ saying ‘No to 3rd term’. They will meet us here in 2026, if the country is owned by their fathers, they will say it. Barrow will contest, and no one can do anything about it.”
In a recent interview with Fatoumata Rahman Coker, Dr. Ceesay clarified his comments about the diaspora, apologizing for any offense caused and expressing respect for those living abroad who support their families in The Gambia. “I was in the diaspora. I will never belittle anyone from the diaspora because I know what is in the diaspora. I was in the diaspora for over 20 years. I respect everyone in the diaspora, especially those working to support their parents in the Gambia. So, I will never say anything that will look like belittling the diaspora. I am a human being. I am not a robot. And is a human being who does good until people say he does good today and the next he does something that people were not expecting from him. He can learn from it,” he said.
Regarding President Barrow’s potential bid for a third term, Dr. Ceesay reiterated his position, arguing that Barrow has the constitutional right to contest in 2026 if he chooses. “About what I said that no one can stop President Barrow’s 3rd term bid because the constitution has allowed him to contest, I still maintain it. The manner in which I say it is unbecoming, and I take full responsibility. If it comes out in a manner that seems not me. I take responsibility that it is unbecoming, that is not me, but I am just a human being. I know people have expectations from me, but I cannot always be there in a sustainable manner. Sometimes I will make mistakes but if you made a mistake just learn from it and listen to people,” he said.
Dr. Ceesay expressed remorse for his comments on the diaspora and acknowledged that mistakes are part of being human.“There are genuine people that will advise you, and you listen to it for your own good. The most important thing is that if you make a mistake, you accept the mistake, learn from it, and do better next time. But no one can say you will be a politician for twenty to thirty years talking in public without making mistakes. That’s not possible. So if I talk in a manner that is not me, is not becoming, the people who like me and those who don’t point it out I have to pay attention to it and make sure next time I communicate better,” he said.
While he reiterated his belief that the president should be able to run for a third term if he chooses, Dr. Ceesay admitted that the manner in which he expressed this opinion was not reflective of his character.
“I still believe in that but the manner that I say it, is not me, a lot of people have condemned it and I have condemned it and wish for that not to happen,” he said.