Africa-Press – Gambia. Ousainu Darboe, leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has cautioned that President Adama Barrow could turn out to be worse than former President Yahya Jammeh, saying the president is “just testing the waters.”
Darboe made the remarks during an interview with Eye Africa TV while reacting to President Barrow’s recent statement that Alkalolu (village heads) and chiefs will campaign for him in the upcoming elections.
“It is unfortunate,” Darboe said, “that we went around the country telling people that Jammeh’s use of Alkalolu and Seyfolu to campaign for him was wrong and should never happen again.”
He reminded the public that Barrow himself had previously condemned such practices, calling them “dirty politics.” “Now,” Darboe added, “he is not ashamed or afraid to declare openly that Alkalolu, Seyfolu, and civil servants will campaign for him.”
The UDP leader further noted that, while Jammeh’s regime coerced traditional leaders into campaigning, Jammeh himself never publicly announced that they would do so.
Darboe urged Alkalolu and Seyfolu to exercise caution, warning that “there will be another commission” to hold them accountable. He recalled that some traditional leaders had testified before the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) and understood the consequences of such actions.
“They should not allow themselves to be paraded on TV, where their children and grandchildren will one day watch them and see that they could not stand for the truth,” Darboe advised. “They can vote for President Barrow if they wish—but they must not campaign for him.”
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