Africa-Press – Gambia. Saihou Mballow, Special Adviser to President Adama Barrow on Political Affairs, has called on members of the Fula community not to feel threatened or marginalized, stressing that they hold significant positions of authority within the current administration.
Speaking during a community engagement reportedly organized by journalist Mariama Jallow between the Gambia Immigration Department (GID) and the Guinean community, Mballow highlighted what he described as the strong presence of Fulas at the highest levels of government. He pointed to President Adama Barrow himself, along with the Vice President, the Secretary General of the Civil Service, the Secretary to the Cabinet, the Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), and several senior officers within the police, as examples of Fulas in leadership.
“People who are not better than you chasing you in the streets is not something we want,” Mballow said. “I want to inform you that in this government, if Fulas are not more than others, they are at least equal. That is the fact. From the president to the vice president, all of them are Fulas. The secretary general of the civil service is a Fula, the secretary to the cabinet is a Fula, the director of SIS is a Fula, and I, as the president’s political adviser, am a Fula. Why then should you be scared?” he asked.
Mballow assured the community that President Barrow’s administration would not tolerate the mistreatment of Fulas, which he claimed had happened in the past.
“Yesterday, people were making you cry, but today, no one will do that under this government. We will not accept it,” he stressed. “Even in the police, many people holding high-ranking positions are Fulas. This is not tribalism; it is simply the reality. If you don’t stand for your relatives, who are you going to stand for?” Mballow asked.
Saihou Mballow also urged the community to respect the law, assuring them that no one would face harassment while President Barrow remains in power.
“We will never encourage any Fula to break the law. What we are saying is that we will not allow anyone to harass you in this country. Previously, you were paying alien fees exceeding D3,000, as reported by Mamadou Wury and announced on the radio by Mariama Jallow. That was unacceptable to us. But today, the amount is only D750,” he stated.
He emphasized that the reduction demonstrates the influence of their relatives in government, whether they are aware of it or not.
“Your concerns are our concerns. If you look closely, many individuals in top offices have parents from your community. This is not about tribalism; we want everyone in The Gambia to live with dignity and enjoy their fundamental rights, including immigrants from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and beyond. No one should be harassed. President Adama Barrow’s government upholds democracy, the rights of citizens, and respect for human dignity,” Mballow said.
Highlighting his own dual citizenship, Mballow stressed that individuals of good character should be entitled to equal rights and opportunities.
“I am a Gambian and also an American citizen. In the United States, I can hold high positions except the presidency. If I can achieve that abroad, why should other citizens of good character in The Gambia not hold offices or conduct their businesses freely? This applies not only to Fulas, but to all communities—Balantas, whites, or others. We will not tolerate intimidation or harassment. Your rights will be protected. The SIS director is a Fula—why should you feel afraid? No one is superior here. We hold power, but we respect all tribes. Some oppose this, but they will find us standing firm,” he said.
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