Africa-Press – Gambia. Ebrima Sillah, the minister of transport, works, and infrastructure, on Tuesday, accused Gambian human rights advocates and media organizations of remaining silent over controversial remarks made by Borry Touray, the United Democratic Party’s deputy administrative secretary for legal and human rights affairs.
Speaking at a joint meeting in Bundung during President Adama Barrow’s ongoing “Meet the People Tour,” Mr. Sillah said that activists who routinely criticize the government had remained conspicuously quiet about Mr. Touray’s comments. He added that some media outlets regularly cast government initiatives in a negative light but had “refused to highlight or condemn” the UDP politician’s statements.
“What is saddest,” the minister said, “is that when Borry Touray made these remarks, the party he represents—and on whose platform he spoke—did not come out to condemn it.”
Mr. Touray, a lawyer and vocal opposition figure, has attracted criticism in recent days for comments interpreted by some as denigrating Gambians who do not support the UDP and for suggesting the party was prepared to “die” if President Barrow pursued a third-term bid. The UDP has not publicly disavowed the remarks.
Addressing supporters in Kanifing Municipality, Mr. Sillah warned smaller opposition groups to scrutinize their alliances carefully, arguing that Mr. Touray’s rhetoric implied that the UDP saw itself as superior to would-be coalition partners.
“He is telling you that the UDP is cleaner and better than you,” the minister said. “Yet they still want your votes and your partnership. Be careful of the party you choose to align with.”
Mr. Sillah also directed criticism to a wide swath of Gambian society—including teachers, religious leaders, civil servants, and security personnel—saying Mr. Touray’s comments were effectively an insult to anyone outside the UDP.
“When you hear such words, you must ask yourselves what kind of politics these people are bringing into this country,” he said.
Responding to Mr. Touray’s declaration that the UDP was willing to fight over a potential third-term bid by Mr. Barrow, the minister reiterated that the president would remain the governing National People’s Party’s flag bearer. “If they are afraid,” he said of the opposition, “they can leave the race.”
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