By Makutu Manneh
President Adama Barrow has assured Gambians living in Sierra Leone that The Gambia’s presidential election, scheduled for Dec. 5, 2026, will be conducted peacefully, while pledging to raise their concerns with Sierra Leonean authorities.
Speaking at a meeting with members of the Gambian community in Freetown during a recent visit, Mr. Barrow described peace and stability as essential to national development.
“There is only peace in The Gambia,” Mr. Barrow said. “No politician is in prison, and I promise you that this upcoming election will be conducted peacefully.”
The president said countries could achieve meaningful progress only in a peaceful environment and expressed his desire for The Gambia to develop into a nation admired by others.
Mr. Barrow urged Gambians to make an informed choice in the presidential election. He said citizens, who elect a president every five years, were capable of distinguishing between leaders who delivered tangible results and those who relied primarily on political rhetoric.
The president also addressed concerns raised by Gambians living in Sierra Leone, although the specific complaints were not detailed. He said he had listened to the community and would discuss its concerns with the Sierra Leonean government through diplomatic channels.
“I heard your complaints,” Mr. Barrow said. “Everything in life has to be taken step by step.”
He advised Gambians to comply with Sierra Leonean laws while his government pursued discussions with authorities there. He said Gambians in Sierra Leone should receive treatment comparable to that afforded to Sierra Leoneans living in The Gambia.
“We want the way we treat their people in The Gambia to be the same way they treat ours,” he said.
Mr. Barrow also raised the principle of reciprocity, arguing that Gambians in Sierra Leone should not be charged higher fees than those imposed on Sierra Leoneans living in The Gambia.
The president said he had previously discussed the community’s concerns with Sierra Leonean officials and expressed confidence that further talks could produce an agreement.
Addressing requests from Gambians who want to return home, Mr. Barrow said his government was prepared to help facilitate their repatriation. He added, however, that the assistance would be available only to those with families in The Gambia.
Mr. Barrow said his government had supported similar repatriation efforts elsewhere and could extend the same assistance to eligible Gambians in Sierra Leone.
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