By Buba Gagigo
United Democratic Party (UDP) leader and Secretary General, Lawyer Ousainu Darboe, has called on President Adama Barrow to immediately dismiss Agriculture Minister Demba Sabally from both his Cabinet and his position within the National People’s Party (NPP) for making remarks that Darboe describes as inciting political violence.
Speaking at a UDP rally in Yundum, Darboe expressed deep concern over Sabally’s recent comments, which he believes promote bloodshed as a means of maintaining political power.
“As far as the UDP is concerned, even if we are to slaughter a chicken in politics, it would be for a good cause—such as for food—not to provoke chaos,” Darboe said. “But you have all heard them—they are prepared to spill blood just to keep Adama Barrow in power. Barrow was in the UDP for many years and never encountered such rhetoric, yet a senior figure in his current party is now making these dangerous statements.”
Darboe went further to suggest that Sabally should face legal consequences for his remarks.
“The security forces are aware, yet he remains free. He is actively preparing others for violence. But I believe the women of the UDP can help prevent such outcomes,” Darboe said. “Never again should political bloodshed be tolerated in The Gambia. The UDP will never tread on corpses to reach the State House. We aim to get there through the free and peaceful will of the Gambian people.”
The opposition leader urged Gambian women to disregard Sabally’s remarks and instead rally behind a peaceful, responsible government in the upcoming 2026 elections.
“I trust you will vote for a government that will serve the people without resorting to violence. The Gambian electorate must now choose: do you want a party that clings to power through violence, or one that seeks it through constitutional, peaceful means? I have faith in the wisdom of the Gambian people.”
Darboe also took a swipe at Sabally’s political trajectory, accusing him of opportunism and lacking a credible track record.
“These are desperate people—failed abroad, jumping from one political party to another. Some are only known because of their association with others, like Mama Kandeh. Now they talk about returning Adama Barrow to power even if it means bloodshed. This must be condemned.”
He stressed that individuals like Demba Sabally pose a threat to democratic stability and should not be part of the country’s political future.
“As long as people like Sabally are involved in our political process, violence will remain a threat. The only reason he can speak this way is because he’s protected by the government. If an opposition figure had said something similar, they would already be in jail. That is not democracy. In a true democracy, the law applies equally to all, regardless of political affiliation. I call on Gambian women to vote such individuals out of office.”
Darboe concluded by directly challenging President Barrow to prove his commitment to peace.
“President Barrow, you recently said you were honored in Mauritania as a peaceful leader. If that is true—if you truly are a man of peace—this is the time to act. Remove Demba Sabally from your Cabinet, strip him of his NPP role, and allow the law to take its course. His statements amount to incitement to violence. If you keep him, then it means you endorse what he said—and if that’s the case, we will respond politically, but without violence.”
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.