11/06/2026
NAMs slam hate speech demand equal justice
National Assembly Members slammed hate speech and tribal bigotry as threats to national peace and demanded equal enforcement of the law during a “Matter of the day” debate in the House. Hon. Kemo Gassama, the Member for Lower Baddibu, tabled the motion. He told lawmakers that ethnic rhetoric “is dangerous, divisive, and destructive” and “creates mistrust among citizens.”
“Those who seek leadership should be agents of peace and unity, not architects of division, tribalism has absolutely no place in our country.” Hon Gassama said.
Hon. Gibbi Mballow, the Member for Lower Fulladu West, said his constituents had asked him to declare that “hate speech and tribalism will not be tolerated anymore. From anyone, whether provincial, regional, state, or community leaders.”
Hon. Omar Jatto Jammeh, the Member for Janjanbureh, described hate speech as “an indicator of violence.” He warned: “The Gambia is known for peace. If we are not looking at what we are approaching, that is an election here, it might lead to something different.” Jatto Jammeh urged Assembly committees to summon heads of institutions “to hold them to account when issues of this nature arise.”
Hon. Alfusainey Ceesay, the Member for Sami, said: “Travellers, tribalism, have no space in this country. We are in Gambia. My uncle married a Wolof woman so this has no place. We are the eyes of our people. Anybody who has done this it is we who should take steps.”
Hon. Almameh Gibba, the Member for Foni Kansala, said both Islam and Christianity reject tribalism. He cited a case where a woman allegedly “insulted, in a very villain way, against our Islamic scholar,” Imam Fadi. “The country is stuck. Nobody can call to the police nothing is done,” Hon. Gibba said.
Hon. Lamin Ceesay, the Member for Kiang West, questioned police action. “It happened in the case of Roya Kulipure, when he made a remark against the President, he was called for questioning. It happened in the case of Momodistaba. Why not in this case, when this woman spoke against Imam?”
Hon. Ceesay alleged that hate speech was “engineered by senior politicians sitting in this very House.”
Hon. Kebba Toumanding Sanneh, the Member for Foni Jarrol, said: “If the President is not ready to take blamed let him just resign.” “All these things are happening because of their slow control. Our government is not controlling institutions,” Hon. Sanneh said. “If the government is not ready to take responsibility, we are doomed as a country.”
Hon. Gassama had earlier called on “the Government and the ruling party to lead by example” and demonstrate “commitment to national unity, peaceful co-existence, and equal treatment of all Gambians.”
Hon. Alhagie S. Darboe, the Member for Brikama and minority leader said, “The Gambia is a nation blessed with diversity.”
Hon. Yahya Menteng Sanyang, the Member for LatriKunda Sabiji, and the Hon. Member for Banjul North also contributed to the debate.
Hon. Gassama concluded that, “Long after political contests have ended, we shall remain one people sharing one country. The preservation of peace and national unity must take precedence over political interests.”
