Africa-Press – Gambia. Majanko Samusa, a senior member of the National Convention Party (NCP), has voiced concern over the government’s decision to issue national identity cards to Gambians living abroad, warning that the move risks fueling suspicion and mistrust among citizens.
Speaking in an interview with Kerr Fatou, Samusa said the practice is unprecedented in The Gambia’s political history and could easily be interpreted as politically motivated, especially with elections approaching.
“I have never seen any government issuing ID cards abroad. It has not happened in Jawara’s time or even Jammeh’s time, so if you bring something new, people must talk about it, and they will associate it with something else. We are entering elections, so this type of thing will bring suspicions between you and your opponents,” he stated.
Recalling events in 1991, Samusa alleged that attempts were made in Dakar to register people outside official hours, but he personally intervened and stopped the process, noting that former President Dawda Jawara himself cautioned those involved.
A seasoned opposition figure, Samusa stressed that his long political career has taught him to recognize signs of manipulation.
“I have seen all types of games, and I know the game. This ID card issue has never happened, so it will bring suspicions, and people are going to talk about it, and what are they going to think?” he asked.
He further urged the government to act with caution, warning against policies that could destabilize the country.
“So we should be careful and not create or design something that will create problems. We should not allow that,” he said.
Samusa also drew lessons from the downfall of former President Yahya Jammeh, pointing out that those who once enabled him quickly abandoned him during his exile.
“So the ID card issuance abroad has created lots of suspicions among people. I have never seen it all my life, and we don’t know the rationale behind it,” he said.
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