By Fatou Sillah
The Gambia’s Minister of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, on Tuesday questioned the legitimacy of veteran journalist and former Information Minister Demba Ali Jawo to criticize government policy, calling him “conflicted” in his assessments.
Dr. Ceesay made the remarks in an interview with West Coast Radio while responding to Mr. Jawo’s comments on President Adama Barrow’s recent statements concerning the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
“DA is not the person who can now criticize in a legitimate manner what the government does because he’s conflicted,” Dr. Ceesay said.
The minister defended President Barrow’s diplomatic approach, emphasizing the need for measured language amid international crises. As chair of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, he said, the president must maintain neutrality while pursuing behind-the-scenes efforts to mediate tensions.
“He is a leader, a statesman who will have to be measured in his statements when there is a conflict; you do not just make a statement because you add oxygen to fire,” Dr. Ceesay said. “The president is working behind the scenes 24 hours a day to put an end to his conflict.”
Dr. Ceesay said President Barrow has been actively working behind the scenes to mediate the international crisis. “He understands what he is doing, he knows what he is saying, and he has his advisors who know exactly the right words to say,” he said.
Addressing concerns that the president’s statement might appear biased, the minister defended it as measured and balanced.
“The statement was very fair, very balanced, and it spoke to the crisis and the situation as well,” he said.
The minister also criticized Demba Ali Jawo for his efforts to form an association opposing the president. He argued that Mr. Jawo’s activism undermines his ability to provide neutral commentary on government affairs.
“DA is conflicted because DA is trying to form an association to go against the president; that person cannot be a neutral voice that can criticize the government.
“He has a motive, he has an agenda, and his agenda is not in the national interest because he has clearly shown that he is conflicted, that he wants to form an association that is going to remove the president, so it clearly means that he is against this government,” he said.
He added that Mr. Jawo’s activist background limits his understanding of diplomacy.
“An activist who doesn’t understand the nuances of diplomacy critiques a diplomat who is doing his job,” he said.
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