Disagreement over land ownership has led to a conflict between the president of The Gambia and the main opposition, culminating in a death wish. This disagreement was triggered by the leader of the main opposition, Ousainu Darboe, who asked the president, Adama Barrow, to return a piece of land allocated to him by the government. He insists the land is a state property. It is the same property on which the president is said to be constructing his retirement home in Fajara.

The Ministry of Land confirmed that the land had been allocated to the president. The Ministry also stated in a press release that Darboe’s wife and daughter had also been allocated lands. Darboe confirmed this but refuted claims that he was in government when his family applied for this.

When the controversy over the press release appeared to settle, the president commented, which seemed to generate more controversy.

On July 27, at a political rally in Brikama, Adama Barrow said:

“Today, I take an oath that I will continue to be President until Ousainu Darboe dies. I will be President until he dies. Then, I will step down. If he does not die, I will continue to be President. That is the contract I signed now. Until he dies and I receive news of his death and I bury him myself… I witness his burial… then I would have had enough and would retire from the Presidency.” Watch the video here.

The president’s comment caused a huge uproar on traditional and social media, ultimately leading to the family of Darboe’s complaint against the President to the Inspector General of Police.

Given the direction this controversy has taken and its implications for the democratic ethos in The Gambia, DUBAWA has decided to explore the matter even further.

Government’s stance
The Gambia government has defended Barrow’s words, describing them as “political statements.” The presidential adviser has also played down the seriousness of the comment, describing it as “jokes.” Despite criticisms and calls for an apology, the government has maintained that the President will not apologise.

“I mean, why would he apologise? Apologise for what? It’s a political statement, and the President obviously, when he speaks, mountains move. But for me, I think people are blowing this out of proportion. They are taking it out of context,” the Information Minister, Dr Ismaila Ceesay, said in an interview with QTV.

Also, rationalising the president’s comments, the Minister for Agriculture said:

“What Barrow said is not wrong and he will not apologise today nor apologise tomorrow. What President Barrow said has a context. Ousainu Daboe had said in Brikama that when he takes over the Presidency, he will take the house Barrow plans on staying in at Fajara. He [Barrow] said, given that you [Darboe] said you will take my land when you become president, then fine, I will stay as President until you die. Or I will never stop being president as long as you are alive. This is the context.”

The government later issued a statement assuring the Gambian people of its commitment to maintain national unity.

Reactions:

Criticisms and condemnations continue to pour on Adama Barrow from activists, politicians and ordinary citizens, as his remarks are viewed as “death threats” against Darboe. Specifically, the mention of a “contract” Barrow said he had signed.

Human rights activist Madi Jobarteh wrote on Facebook,

“Indeed, it’s Ousainu Darboe who is threatened today, but it’s about a president who does not respect the Constitution, the Republic, and her citizens! That should concern all citizens seriously. From 2017 to date, President Barrow has distinguished himself with insults, divisiveness, betrayals, and violations of Gambians and our laws! This is his trademark.”

The National Human Rights Commission did not publicly condemn the President’s remarks, but according to The Standard, they wrote to the President and the Attorney General.

“We deliberately did not issue a press statement because we did not want to be drawn into the political point-scoring and bantering between political party supporters,” NHRC’s chair, Emmanuel Joof, said.

Darboe’s children wrote a letter to the Inspector General of Police expressing concerns over the president’s comments about their father.

“We had wanted to write to you immediately as the IGP and the primary custodian of law and order, the protection of property, the prevention of crime, and enforcement of all laws and regulations with which the police are charged. However, we did not want our concerns and message diminished within the uproar and unprecedented condemnation that followed.

“We wanted to wait until the dust settles before writing to you for two reasons. First, we did not want our letter to be confused or seen as political. Second, we wanted to express our heartfelt hurt, anguish, and anxiety within the immediate and extended family. We love our father dearly. He has sacrificed his blood, sweat, and tears for this country and helped salvage this country from the clutches of dictatorship. He achieved all of these through peaceful means and the due process of the law.

“By this letter, we, as the family of Hon. Darboe, are formally notifying you that we view the President’s statements as veiled threats to our father’s well-being and life. For these reasons, we would like you to be acutely aware that if anything happens to our father, President Barrow could be held responsible. If you would like to speak to us to further discuss this matter, please let us know,’’ the letter partly reads.

Dangers and fears:

The Gambia, a small West African country, has a 22-year history of dictatorship. The former president, Yahya Jammeh’s tenure, was marked by widespread human rights violations and abuses. He is known for making hateful speeches against the opposition, members of the press, or anyone he viewed as an enemy.

Although torture and disappearances are not prevalent under the current regime, it is feared that remarks Barrow has been making recently and the government’s reaction to free speech may be leading The Gambia back to its horrific past.