By Seedy Jobe
Hakeem Touray, National Coordinator of Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), has criticized presidential adviser Dou Sanno over remarks crediting President Adama Barrow with The Gambia’s current democratic space, describing the comments as disrespectful to those who struggled against former President Yahya Jammeh’s rule.
Touray was responding to comments by Sanno, who argued that the political freedoms Gambians enjoy today were made possible by President Barrow.
“When Yahya Jammeh was in power, we tried several times to field a candidate to contest against him, but no candidate emerged. Ousainu Darboe was here, and so were Halifa Sallah and Sidia Jatta, but they were unable to produce a candidate,” Sanno said. “Today, if you see anyone aspiring to be president, it is because of the democracy that President Barrow has given to Gambians.”
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Touray rejected Sanno’s characterization, arguing that The Gambia’s democratic gains were the result of years of struggle and sacrifice by activists, opposition figures, and ordinary citizens.
“It’s not just disrespectful; it’s insulting to say, ‘President Barrow mo len jokh democracy’ [President Barrow is the one who gave them democracy]. That’s rude!” Touray said.
He cited the late Solo Sandeng’s 2016 protest demanding electoral reforms, demonstrations led by Ousainou Darboe and UDP supporters following Sandeng’s arrest, and Halifa Sallah’s years of political and civic engagement as examples of efforts that preceded Barrow’s presidency.
“Where was Barrow when Uncle Solo Sandeng took to the streets in the face of dictatorship, oppression, and brutality to demand electoral reform?” Touray asked. “Where was Barrow when Ba Ousainou and his UDP supporters took to the streets to demand the release of Solo and his fellow comrades? Where was Barrow when Uncle Halifa was everywhere in this country, spreading awareness and speaking sense into the minds of our people?”
Touray also challenged suggestions that Barrow played a leading role in creating the political conditions that ultimately ended Jammeh’s rule. He argued that Barrow was selected as the opposition coalition’s presidential candidate after political parties, mediators, and other actors had already undertaken significant efforts to unite the opposition under difficult circumstances.
He said those contributions should not be diminished by portraying Barrow as the individual who bestowed democracy on Gambians.
Touray urged Sanno and other government officials to stop belittling the sacrifices of those who fought for political change, saying The Gambia’s democratic transition was the product of a collective struggle rather than the achievement of one individual.
“Stop insulting people,” Touray said, arguing that many of those now taking credit for the country’s democratic gains were not at the forefront of the struggle that made the 2016 political transition possible.
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