As tradition demands, Banjul Muslim Elders usually call on the President immediately after the Eid prayers to consult with each other and address pertinent national issues. On this occasion on Monday 2nd May 2022, President Barrow this time around decided to attack a human rights activist Madi Jobarteh by falsely accusing him of seeking to set the country on fire because of his criticisms of the Government. The President did not specify or give any evidence of what and how Madi is setting the country on fire. He however said his Government will take a stand on Madi Jobarteh and asked everyone to be careful of the activist. He went further to condemn the media for giving platform to Madi Jobarteh.

We therefore consider the President’s remark to be very concerning as it is a direct attack on a citizen who has not violated any law or engaged in any violent activity. Madi Jobarteh is one of the foremost voices in the country advocating for public sector transparency and accountability. He is a strong democracy and good governance advocate who has taken a public stand on all issues of human rights across the country. He is a peace advocate as well as a member of our society who is dedicated to an inclusive and equal society and social justice. 

The President has a duty by law to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of all citizens. By his remarks, President Barrow is rather threatening not just the rights of Madi Jobarteh but also attacking the fundamental rights and freedoms of all citizens. His remarks tantamount to silencing citizens to prevent them from holding his Government accountable and demanding justice and accountability. Above all, Pres. Barrow is inciting violence against Madi Jobarteh as his remarks could trigger any person to unleash violence on Madi Jobarteh and his family. 

All citizens and citizen groups should therefore condemn this undemocratic and unconstitutional remarks of the President by demanding the following:

1. The President should apologize to Madi Jobarteh and retract his remarks without delay.

2. The President to express his commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Madi Jobarteh and his family. 

3. The President should publicly express his commitment to respect and protect fundamental human rights and freedoms, and to uphold the Constitution of the Gambia as enshrined in his oath of office.

4. The President to assure all media houses and journalists that his Government will not subject anyone to reprisal for giving platform to Madi Jobarteh and to any other Gambian.

5. The President to refrain from spreading false information and incitement to violence against any citizen, journalist, and media house.

We wish to notify all relevant domestic and international institutions that democracy is under threat in the Gambia, and which threat is coming from the President of the Republic.