By Kemo Kanyi
Special Adviser to President Adama Barrow, Momodou Sabally, has accused the United National Transformation Initiative (UNITE) and its leader, Talib Ahmed Bensouda, of fuelling tension and unrest in the country.
Speaking to young people in Faji-Kunda over the weekend, Sabally urged the youth not to allow themselves to be used for what he described as “cheap political popularity”, warning that violent protests could have serious consequences for the country’s young population.
Sabally said he and members of the United Democratic Party (UDP) regretted supporting Bensouda in his bid for public office, urging young people not to repeat what he described as a mistake by electing him to public office.
He also alleged that UNITE members had used fraudulent birth certificates to register voters, claiming that the party was aware it could not win the upcoming elections.
Sabally acknowledged that citizens have a constitutional right to peaceful protest but warned that demonstrations must be conducted within the law to prevent violence and destruction.
He cited examples from other countries where prolonged unrest had resulted in deaths and instability, arguing that young people often bear the consequences of political conflicts.
“Protest is your right. But protesting in the day is not safe, talk less of night unrest,” Sabally said.
He further accused a UNITE deputy party leader in Bakau of encouraging young people to engage in theft, destruction of property and other criminal activities during a previous protest over electricity shortages.
According to Sabally, UNITE was the only political entity that openly associated itself with that protest, which he alleged was part of an attempt to create unrest.
He also criticised the party for challenging a warning issued by the Inspector General of Police against unauthorized protests.
Sabally alleged that Bensouda and his supporters were encouraging young people to regard unlawful demonstrations as part of democratic rights.
He urged Gambians, particularly young people, to distance themselves from UNITE, describing the party as an organization that promotes violence and political instability.
UNITE and Bensouda have yet to publicly respond to the allegations contained in Sabally’s remarks.
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