Parliamentary aspirant promises to lead criminalisation of hate speech

By Adama Makasuba

 Ebrima Nyang who is ready to contest for the parliamentary seat of the Latrikunda Sabiji Constituency under the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), yesterday promised to champion the criminalisation of hate speech in the country, if he is voted in the upcoming National Assembly elections due in April.

The 29-year-old teacher-turned-politician was speaking to reporters shortly after filing his nomination documents to the Independent Electoral Commission on Kairaba Avenue.

“My priority is to support fiscal policies and work hard to criminalise hate speech,” he said, referring to tribal rhetoric on social media and other platforms.

He added: “we all understand now, this tribal sentiment which is going on and I believe it should be criminalised because it is not helping us in anyway.”

According to him, politics is about the battle of ideas so this is what is expected from politicians and their supporters.

“I believe this should be very much enforced whereby if you make such comment a very harsh punishment is waiting for ‘you, and also, I will also champion in addressing the problems of our people,” he said.

He also said he will promote to ensure a term limit in the constitution and promote plural rule saying to avoid leadership vacuum of the presidency for overstaying, adding he is optimistic of wining the April elections in Latrikunda Sabiji.

“This time we are big and better and we are ready and know the problems from 2017 and we are addressing them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Nyang said he will also advocate for the development of his people citing that he will ensure the water problems is addressed, as he highlighted some developments he has been rendering to his constituency.

However, he blamed the current National Assembly member for Latrikunda for not engaging the people who voted him into office to hear about their plights and needs, as he should from time to time face the people of Latrikunda Sabiji.