President Barrow’s threatening remarks against Hon. Bah raise concerns about political intimidation, the safety of elected representatives and the right to peaceful protest. His reference to lethal violence against protesters under former President Yahya Jammeh risks heightening political tensions and fuelling fear ahead of The Gambia’s December 5 presidential election.
The reported remarks come against the backdrop of The Gambia’s efforts to confront human rights violations committed during Yahya Jammeh’s rule. The country’s transitional justice process has sought to establish the truth about past abuses and promote accountability. Praising past killings risks undermining these efforts by framing violence as an acceptable response to perceived wrongdoing rather than a violation requiring accountability.
With 58 days to go before the 2026 presidential election, The Gambia’s political environment is already becoming increasingly charged. As campaign activity intensifies, politicians, political parties, supporters and other influential voices have a responsibility to measure their words carefully and avoid rhetoric that could incite hostility, promote discrimination, deepen divisions or encourage the exclusion of political opponents.
The National Human Rights Commission has identified political actors and their supporters as the leading source of hate speech in The Gambia. As the country prepares for the 2026 presidential election, Malagen analyses a viral video that echoes those concerns.
There is no publicly available evidence that foreigners are participating in or influencing The Gambia’s electoral process, including voter registration for the upcoming elections. So far, the IEC has not confirmed any systematic registration of non-citizens, and no court or official investigation has established such claims.
Such rhetoric is deeply concerning, particularly as the country’s presidential elections draw near. In a politically charged atmosphere, inflammatory statements, especially from influential figures, can heighten tensions, fuel mistrust, and embolden extremist behavior. If left unchallenged, this language risks normalizing hostility and creating conditions that may trigger unrest or violence, undermining the peaceful and democratic character of the electoral process.
Concerns have been raised that such rhetoric, particularly coming from the head of state, could weaken public confidence in the independence and authority of the judiciary. In an election year when political tensions are often heightened, and public trust in institutions is especially critical, statements that appear to question or undermine court decisions may fuel scepticism about the fairness and neutrality of the justice system.
Calling for the bombing of an embassy is not only illegal under international law, it is also a serious form of dangerous speech that can incite real-world violence. Such statements, even when shared online or framed as jokes, pose significant security risks and should be treated with utmost seriousness.
Claims about the registration of foreign nationals and minors during elections are increasingly circulating, largely driven by politicians and their supporters. Mayor Bensouda has now joined those casting doubt on The Gambia’s electoral system, alleging the registration of foreign nationals without providing evidence to support the claim.
Such rhetorics are becoming a troubling pattern as the country heads into what is expected to be one of the most hotly contested presidential elections in its history.
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