The recent remarks made by Baboucarr Bahoum, posted on his social media account, have sparked widespread condemnation. In his post, Bahoum described the people of Kiang as “the most ungrateful people” in the country, accusing them of choosing “backwards” over “progress.” He further criticized the people of Kiang for supporting the United Democratic Party (UDP) instead of President Barrow and the National People’s Party (NPP), claiming that the NPP sought to lead them to “heaven” while the UDP would lead them to “hell fire.”
The post has led to calls for Bahoum’s arrest, with many demanding that he be taken into custody for his inflammatory comments about the Kiang community. Some have argued that if he is not questioned by authorities, it would suggest a lack of fairness from the police.
The controversy followed the UDP’s victory in the recent by-election at the Masembeh council. In the wake of the backlash, Bahoum issued an apology several hours later, stating, “I write to apologise to the people of Kiang. It is not my intention to write to hurt or call people names. I apologise to you all and other Gambians.”
Despite the apology, the statement has been widely condemned by politicians, the people of Kiang, and others across the country.
Photo credit: Kerr Fatou
