SOURCE: Kerr Fatou
FINDINGS
At a rally in Brikama yesterday evening, President Barrow directly attacked Ousainou Darboe, sparking reactions across the country. Mr. Darboe, who doubles as the flag bearer of the United Democratic Party, is President Barrow’s closest challenger to the presidency.
Speaking in one of the country’s local dialects, Mandinka, the President can be heard saying, “I’m taking an oath today that I’ll be President until Ousainou Darboe dies. I, President Barrow, will be President until he (Darboe) dies, only then will I leave the presidency.” The president then immediately continues by saying, “That’s the contract I’ve signed now. Until my father (Darboe) dies, and it’s announced that he has indeed died, and then we go and bury him, that’s when I can finally say that I’ll leave the presidency.”
The president’s comments can be interpreted to be more than just a direct attack against an individual but also against democratic norms. In his speech, he seems to suggest self-entrenchment in power, going against term limits and shunning the democracy that the country fought hard for. Further giving validity to many Gambians complain/frustration about the countries leadership
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the President’s speech on the evening of Saturday, July 28, 2024, exemplifies hate speech. With the video making the rounds on social media, it is likely to stir bad blood and deepen division amongst the country’s populace, with Ousainou Darboe having statistically a large following as the leader of the biggest opposition party. The president’s unprecedented remarks are potentially life-threatening and troubling, going against democratic beliefs and posing a threat to peace.
BY: Alhaji Alie Sesay
Intern
