By Haddy Touray
The United National Intellectuals for Transformation and Empowerment (UNITE) has condemned the reported removal of the Alkalo of Nyangen Village, describing the decision as politically motivated and an abuse of administrative authority.
In a statement issued by Tombong Saidy, the group said the decision by the Office of the Governor of the Central River Region to “retire” Mr. Baboucarr Nyang was deeply troubling and undermined democratic principles.
According to the statement, the official reason given for the removal was alleged non-residence in Nyangen Village, in line with provisions of the Local Government Act 2002.
However, UNITE rejected this justification, arguing that Mr. Nyang is a long-standing resident of Nyangen with ancestral roots in the village and a family history tied to its founding.
The group described the decision as “political persecution disguised as administrative action,” alleging that it was linked to the political affiliation of Mr. Nyang’s son, who is reportedly active in opposition politics.
UNITE further claimed that the action reflects a broader pattern of political intolerance and misuse of public office to target individuals associated with opposition parties.
It warned that such developments risk undermining public trust in governance and weakening democratic freedoms, including the right of citizens to freely associate with political parties of their choice.
The statement also criticised what it described as increasing use of state institutions for partisan purposes, calling for the immediate reversal of the decision.
UNITE said traditional leaders should not be drawn into partisan politics, stressing that Alkalolu are custodians of community stability and cultural heritage and should only be replaced under clear and non-political circumstances.
The group urged authorities to uphold fairness, accountability and respect for local governance structures, warning that failure to do so could set a dangerous precedent for other communities.
It called on government to ensure that administrative actions are not influenced by political considerations and to protect citizens from any form of victimisation based on political affiliation.
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