By Haddy Touray
A youth leader of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), Haji Sawaneh, has warned that The Gambia’s democratic process is under threat, citing alleged abuse of state authority and interference in recent by-elections.
Sawaneh expressed deep concern over the conduct of the Bantanjang Ward and Kaiaf Ward by-elections, accusing authorities of manipulating the electoral process to favour the ruling National People’s Party (NPP).
“Our democratic process is under threat. The integrity of our elections is being undermined by those in power,” Sawaneh said, describing the developments as “a grave warning” to what he termed genuine opposition forces seeking democratic change.
He alleged that during the by-elections, a village alkalo was verbally dismissed from his position on the orders of the Governor’s Office, an action he described as illegal and aimed at intimidating local leaders to influence the vote.
According to Sawaneh, the Governor of the West Coast Region (WCR) set a “dangerous precedent,” which was later replicated by the Governor of the Lower River Region (LRR), who, he said, toured communities accompanied by senior police officers to influence traditional leaders.
“This is not a win based on trust; it is an abuse of power,” he said, alleging that state machinery is being openly deployed to secure electoral victories. He further accused the ruling party of implementing a strategy in line with President Adama Barrow’s call for alkalolu and sefolu to act as campaign managers or risk losing their positions.
Sawaneh also criticised what he described as selective enforcement of the law, noting that a minister later ordered the reinstatement of the dismissed alkalo, despite the governor’s alleged violation of legal procedures.
Beyond electoral concerns, the UDP youth leader pointed to broader national challenges, including rising living costs, unemployment, failing healthcare services, crime, and drug trafficking. He said these hardships are driving young Gambians to undertake dangerous migration routes through the desert and across the sea.
“This is not a victory based on national confidence; it is a harsh reality check,” he said.
Calling for unity, Sawaneh urged Gambians to defend free, fair, and transparent elections and to resist intimidation and illegal actions. He stressed that his concerns were not directed against any single party but were raised in the national interest.
“It is alarming to see chiefs engaging in house-to-house partisan politics and governors meeting alkalolu and village elders on the eve of elections,” he said.
Sawaneh concluded by urging authorities to respect the neutrality of traditional leaders and uphold democratic principles ahead of future elections.