By Kemo Kanyi
President Adama Barrow has called on Gambians to reject tribalism, saying it undermines peaceful coexistence and national unity.
Speaking at a political rally in Sanyang village, Kombo South, President Barrow urged citizens to regard themselves as one family and resist attempts to divide communities along tribal lines.
“Let’s do away with tribalism in The Gambia. It has no use for this country. There is no village in this country that has only one tribe. Fula, Mandinka, Jola and other tribes all live within the same vicinity. We have inter-marriages in our communities. Someone’s mother could be Fula and the father a Mandinka. How can we encourage tribalism in such communities?” he said.
President Barrow said the Kombo area, whose early settlers included Mandinka communities, had over the years become home to people from different ethnic groups.
He urged Gambians to reject tribal divisions and work together towards the development of the country.
Turning to politics, Barrow called on members of his National People’s Party (NPP) and allied parties to strengthen their cooperation, saying unity would be important to sustaining their political partnership.
He said political opponents would continue to criticise the ruling coalition during elections but maintained that the NPP and its allies could secure electoral victories if they remained united.
The President urged his coalition partners to remain committed to their partnership, saying his government was focused on delivering on its promises to the Gambian people.
On the country’s electricity situation, Barrow said efforts were underway to address challenges in the energy sector, arguing that the issue should not be used solely as a campaign tool.
He said access to electricity had increased significantly since his government came to power, rising from 36 percent to about 95 percent of the population.
Barrow also said the government had secured two heavy-duty generators, which would be installed upon their arrival in the country.
According to the President, the generators would help address some of the challenges affecting electricity supply.
He further announced plans for the construction of a 50-megawatt solar power plant, saying work on the project would begin soon.
Barrow said the government’s long-term objective was to strengthen the country’s energy capacity to the point where The Gambia could eventually export electricity to neighboring countries.