By: Michaella Faith Wright
The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice, EFSCRJ, has expressed “deep alarm” over what it describes as widespread hate speech, intimidation and the misuse of state resources during President Adama Barrow’s 2025 “Meet the People Tour.”
In a strong public statement, the rights body condemned what it calls a surge in hate speech, political intimidation and disinformation, stressing that the tour, mandated under Section 222(15) of the 1997 Constitution, should allow the President to assess citizens’ living conditions, not serve as “a campaign platform or a stage for attacking opponents and critics.”
According to EFSCRJ, the twenty four day tour was marred by coercive messaging, including remarks in Salikenni where the President reportedly suggested he would be “tired” of providing development without political support. The group described this as “a direct abuse of power.”
The organisation also criticised statements targeting opposition parties, elected representatives, activists and the media, noting that certain comments, including the description of critics as “wounded lions,” were inflammatory and harmful to democratic norms.
EFSCRJ further warned that the tour had been “instrumentalized for partisan mobilization,” with public officials allegedly canvassing support for a third term while using state logistics. The group argued that such conduct echoed “the worst practices of the Jammeh era.”
The rights body is calling for a public apology from the President and cabinet ministers, the creation of a national Code of Conduct on ethical communication and equal enforcement of laws on incitement. It urged all political actors to reject divisive rhetoric, stressing that “The Gambia must not return to a politics of fear and hostility.”
By: Michaella Faith Wright The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice, EFSCRJ, has expressed “deep alarm” over what it describes as widespread hate speech, intimidation and the misuse of state resources during President Adama Barrow’s 2025 “Meet the People Tour.” In a strong public statement, the rights body condemned what it calls a The Fatu Network
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