By Olimatou Coker
The Unite Movement for Change (UNITE) yesterday strongly condemned recent tribal remarks attributed to one Imam Darou Sanyang against its leader,Talib Ahmed Bensouda.
In a statement shared with The Standard, the party described such remarks as dangerous, unfounded, and unbecoming of anyone in a position of religious influence.
“Statements that invoke tribal, ethnic, ancestral, or family identity to question a citizen’s belonging have no place in The Gambia’s national discourse, as they risk fuelling division, mistrust, and resentment at a time when our country needs greater unity, tolerance, and responsible leadership,” Unite said.
The party added that it is disturbed that, amid the significant challenges facing The Gambia, voices with the potential to promote peace, understanding, and national cohesion would instead contribute to ethnic and tribal division.
The statement stressed that Talib Ahmed Bensouda is Gambian, having been born and raised in The Gambia, as were his parents. It said Talib served the Gambian people in an elective public office, twice as mayor in one of the country’s largest municipalities, adding that through his leadership and public service, Talib continues to represent The Gambia locally, regionally and internationally.
“His family too has deep and well-established roots in The Gambia, including his grandfather Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara who served as The Gambia’s first president. These facts should not be distorted or ignored in an attempt to advance a divisive political narrative. To label a Gambian citizen a “foreigner” because of his surname, ancestry, or family connections is deeply irresponsible. If such a standard were applied consistently, many Gambian families could similarly find their nationality and belonging unfairly questioned,” Unite said.
The party further explained that this is precisely why it rejects attempts to define Gambian identity according to surname, ethnicity, ancestry, or political affiliation, because The Gambia belongs to all Gambians.
“Political disagreements are legitimate and necessary in a democracy. Imam Darou Sanyang, like every other citizen, is free to challenge Talib Bensouda on his policies, ideas, leadership, performance, and vision. But political disagreement must never descend into attacks based on ancestry, ethnicity, family background, or attempts to question another citizen’s right to belong. Bigotry does not become acceptable simply because its target is a political opponent,” the party complained.
UNITE therefore reaffirms its firm commitment to confronting tribalism and ethnic discrimination in all forms, declaring that its leader has pledged to pursue appropriate legal measures to address serious acts of tribal incitement and discrimination, consistent with the Constitution, due process, and the rule of law.
“We call on Imam Darou Sanyang to withdraw the remarks attributed to him and to refrain from statements that could deepen ethnic tensions or undermine national cohesion. The Gambia has endured enough division. Our strength lies in our diversity, and our future depends on our ability to see one another first and foremost as Gambians.
“We are one nation, one people, and by the will of God, we will remain one nation and one people”, the statement concluded.