By: Fatou Krubally
The Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Yankuba Darboe, has issued a strong rebuttal to recent claims made by activist Bubacarr “Bob” Keita, describing them as “false, misleading and dangerous distortions of the truth.”
Keita, in a widely circulated social media post, alleged that he had a heated phone call with President Adama Barrow, during which they reportedly exchanged words over political tensions involving Senegalese opposition figure Ousmane Sonko. But Darboe, who says he personally facilitated the conversation, insists no such confrontation took place.
According to Darboe, the call occurred at his own residence after Keita, now a family relative through marriage, approached him seeking reconciliation with the president. “I personally dialled the President and handed the phone to Bob after explaining the reason for the call,” Darboe said in a public statement. “At no point was Ousmane Sonko or Senegal mentioned.”
He emphasized that the interaction was cordial and that Keita used the opportunity to apologize to President Barrow. Following the call, Darboe said he attempted to arrange a face-to-face meeting between the two men, but the President declined, stating that he had already forgiven Keita and saw no need for further discussion.
“The President accepted the apology graciously and gave instructions that no further action was necessary,” Darboe stated. “To twist this act of grace into a tale of intimidation is dishonest and untrue.”
Darboe, visibly frustrated by the allegations, swore by the Holy Quran that President Barrow made no insulting remarks toward Keita or his family. He warned that such fabrications risk undermining the dignity of the Presidency and misleading the public.
“This is not just a mischaracterization—it’s a deliberate attempt to rewrite what happened,” Darboe said. “The Gambian public deserves the truth.”
The statement marks the latest twist in an ongoing public spat between Keita, a prominent youth activist, and the Barrow administration, as political tensions continue to mount ahead of the next election cycle.
