The recent tribal remarks made by President Adama Barrow during his meeting with elders in the Lower River Region are deeply concerning and must be unequivocally condemned. Such rhetoric has no place in a nation that prides itself on unity, diversity, and inclusivity. The notion of pitting one ethnic group against another undermines the very fabric of our society and jeopardizes the progress we have made as a people.
President Barrow's comments, which suggest that the Mandinka community should be loyal to him and other past leaders simply because of shared ethnic ties, are divisive and counterproductive. Leadership should be based on merit, policies, and a shared vision for the country’s future, not on ethnic allegiance or tribal solidarity. Our strength as a nation lies in our diversity, and it is essential that all Gambians, regardless of their ethnic background, feel respected, included, and valued.
Tribalism is a dangerous force that has historically caused division and conflict, and we cannot afford to let it take root in our society. Remarks that perpetuate ethnic division should be condemned at all costs, for they sow the seeds of mistrust and division among the very people we should be striving to unite.
We must insist on a politics that transcends ethnicity, where all Gambians—whether Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, or any other group—are equally valued and given the opportunity to contribute to the nation’s progress. It is essential for our leaders to champion this unity, not exploit ethnic divisions for political gain.
We call on President Barrow and all political leaders to rise above tribal considerations and work for the betterment of the entire Gambian people. Let us reject tribalism in all its forms and build a nation that is united, inclusive, and focused on the collective good of all.
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By Yahya Makalo
Administrative Secretary
Tabax Rewmi Movement
The Gambia
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