UDP Leader Urges Minister Hamat Bah to Issue Apology to Gambians Over Preacher Licensing Remark
By Buba Gagigo
Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, the Secretary-General and Party Leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has called upon the Minister of Lands, Hamat NK Bah, to publicly apologise to the Gambian populace for his recent remarks advocating for licenses to be issued to preachers in the country.
Expressing his discontent, Darboe highlighted the parallels between Bah’s statement and similar controversial directives made during the era of former President Jammeh. He emphasized that such proposals were widely condemned in the past and should not resurface in the current political landscape.
Asserting the importance of religious freedom, Darboe stressed that preachers should have the autonomy to deliver their messages without external interference. He underscored the need for their teachings to remain aligned with contemporary societal issues.
“Hamat Bah echoed a sentiment that drew condemnation during the Jammeh era: the notion of granting licenses to preachers in the country. This idea, which we all criticized back then, resurfaced as Bah reiterated it recently. Both myself and Adama Barrow had previously denounced it as inappropriate interference with the autonomy of our imams. We firmly believe that religious leaders should have the freedom to preach without external dictates, as their relationship with God should remain personal and unimpeded.” he said.
While acknowledging their shared history in politics, Darboe expressed disappointment in Bah’s stance on the matter, emphasizing that it deviates from their previous discussions and expectations. He urged Bah to retract his statement and extend an apology to the nation, emphasizing that such sentiments do not reflect the collective stance of the Gambian leadership.
“When we were united against Yahya Jammeh, the very situation they’re experiencing now is what they lacked back then. That’s why they’re expressing these sentiments. Hamat Bah is like a brother to me. Our political collaboration was unparalleled, but I believe he should retract his recent remarks and issue an apology to all Gambians. Hamat Bah’s actions have deeply disappointed me. This wasn’t part of our prior discussions, and it’s not something expected from someone in his position. As elders, we deliberated on this matter, and Hamat’s statement doesn’t align with our collective stance,” he asserted