Chief Jatta Tells Residents to Stand by Barrow ‘Even If I Die,’ Issues Warning to Alkalos

By Fatou Sillah

Lamin Mondo Jatta, the chief of Brikama North, has urged residents of the district to continue supporting President Adama Barrow even after the chief’s death, as he rallied voters behind the president ahead of the December presidential election.

Jatta said his loyalty to President Barrow extended beyond his own lifetime and told residents that he would be pleased to know they had remained behind the president after he was gone.

“Even if the chief is dead, that should not make you leave President Barrow,” Jatta said. “Be behind him even if I die, because if you do that, I will be happy in my grave.”

The chief also appealed to residents to support Barrow in the presidential election scheduled for Dec. 5, 2026, as political activity intensifies ahead of the vote.

Jatta then turned to the role of village heads, known as Alkalos, during political activities in their communities, drawing a distinction between allowing political meetings and formally receiving visiting politicians or their representatives.

He said that when political visitors arrive in a village and ask an Alkalo to welcome them, the village head should not attempt to circumvent restrictions by sending a representative in his place.

According to Jatta, authorities would regard such a representative as acting on behalf of the Alkalo and could respond by withdrawing the village head’s official stamp—a symbol of the Alkalo’s administrative authority.

“If people come and ask the Alkalo to welcome their guests, the Alkalo can send someone to represent him, but we will consider that as the Alkalo welcoming them,” Jatta said, warning that the Alkalo’s stamp could be taken away as a consequence.

At the same time, Jatta said village heads had no authority to prevent political groups from holding meetings in their communities.

He said Alkalos should allow political parties and their supporters to gather peacefully and conduct their activities without interference, provided they leave after their meetings.

The remarks highlight the sometimes delicate position of traditional authorities during election periods in the Gambia, where chiefs and Alkalos exercise significant influence within their communities while political parties compete for support at the local level.