In a Whatsapp audio circulating on the messaging platform, Mr Alieu Kora known as International Jato has called on members of his party, main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), to mobilise, attack and kill the first lady Fatoumatta Bah Barrow and her delegation when they visit the town of Bakau.

Mr Kora told Malagen he is Serrekunda West campaign manager for the main opposition UDP but other sources in the party said he is the campaign manager for Kololi Ward. He runs a Whatsapp platform where he broadcasts audios. His comments have been flagged as dangerous speech. 

Context 

The Gambia will wrap up the 2021-2023 election cycle with the election of mayors in Banjul and Kanifing Municipality, and election of chairpersons in the rest of the regions – West Coast, Lower River, Central River, North Bank, and Upper River. 

Bakau is a major town in Kanifing Municipality where main opposition party’s candidate Talib Bensouda, who is the incumbent, faces challenge from ruling NPP sponsored candidate, Bakary Badjie. 

Malagen could not confirm why or when the First Lady of the Republic Fatoumatta Bah Barrow was scheduled to visit the town. In fact, sources at State House said she did not have any planned visit to Bakau. 

Mr Kora’s words:

Speaking in Mandinka, Mr Kora said: “We have been informed that today [Fatoumatta Bah Barrow] will go to Bakau to buy votes. Residents of Bakau, when you see a vehicle coming in, follow it. I want to tell all Gambians that when you see the people buying votes, attack them, put car tires around their necks and light up a matchstick. Attack them and break their vehicles’ glasses. We are ready. We will put car tires around their necks and kill them. We will set them on fire because this is unjust. This is nonsense.”

What makes Mr Kora’s comments dangerous speech

In flagging Kora’s comments, Malagen conceded that though he may be little known, he still seems to possess some degree of influence in his party, and community. From our findings, the audio has been widely circulated. Moreover, the timing of the comments is particularly a factor. The political climate is tense and Bakau is in fact a scene of clashes recently between supporters of incumbent Mayor Talib Bensouda and his main rival Bakary Badjie of National People’s Party (NPP). 

Conclusions

The UDP – and all other parties – should institute effective intra-party investigative and disciplinary mechanisms. The party should consider taking disciplinary action against Mr Kora as punishment for conduct, and for deterrent purposes. The UDP should issue a statement to condemn Mr Kora’s dangerous speech and dissociate from it. 

About Malagen media monitoring 

Malagen media monitoring tracks and counters mis/disinformation, hate speech and dangerous speech. 

Report to Us:

Have you seen any mis/disinformation, hate speech or dangerous speech? Please, report to us via this email editor.malagen@gmail.com or call/WhatsAPP us on +220 308 6738. 

This dangerous speech alert was published with the support from the UN Peacebuilding Fund through UNESCO Dakar office under the project: countering hate speech and promoting responsible digital citizenship in The Gambia. The project is being implemented by the Open Media Centre (OMC), the publisher of Malagen.