By Fatou Sillah
The National Assembly Member for Lower Badibou, Hon. Kemo Gassama, has called for decisive national action to combat hate speech and tribal division, warning that such practices pose a serious threat to peace, unity, and national cohesion in The Gambia.
Raising a Matter of the Day during Wednesday’s sitting of the National Assembly, Hon. Gassama stressed that hate speech has no place in any civilized society.
“Hate speech must never be tolerated in any civilized society; it is dangerous, divisive, and destructive. It creates mistrust among citizens, fuels hostility, and undermines the spirit of national cohesion that we have worked so hard to build as a people,” he stated.
He expressed particular concern over the role of influential figures in amplifying such rhetoric, noting that politicians and individuals in positions of authority are, in some cases, contributing to the problem.
“It is particularly unfortunate that, in many instances, hate speech is being fueled and amplified by politicians and individuals occupying positions of influence and authority,” he added.
Hon. Gassama further warned that hate speech often leads to tribal profiling, bigotry, and discrimination, encouraging citizens to judge one another based on ethnic background rather than character, competence, or contributions to society.
Highlighting the country’s diversity as a national asset, he urged that it be protected and celebrated.
“The Gambia is a nation blessed with diversity. This rich diversity should be celebrated as a source of strength rather than exploited as a source of division,” he said.
The lawmaker emphasized that tribalism has no place in Gambian society and called on the government to enforce existing laws while strengthening institutions responsible for maintaining peace, security, and national cohesion.
“The responsibility lies heavily on the Government to ensure that significant measures are taken to curb hate speech and tribal incitement,” he said.
He also urged political parties, leaders, and citizens alike to actively promote unity, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.
“We must collectively promote the values of peace, tolerance, respect, and national unity. Reject hate speech, reject tribalism, reject division, and embrace the values that unite us as one nation,” he concluded.
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