Speaking to the NPP media in his hometown of Mankamang Kunda on Tuesday, during his one-month vacation, Barrow responded to recent criticisms from Darboe, who returned to the country on Monday and condemned Barrow’s administration.
“Since I became president eight years ago, no journalists have been jailed at Mile 2, no politicians or civil society members have been imprisoned. We sometimes question people, but that’s different from taking them to court and sentencing them. Our report shows that without strong democracy and tolerance in The Gambia, many UDP leaders, including Ousainou Darboe, would be in prison,” Barrow remarked.
Barrow accused Darboe of frequently violating Gambian laws, offenses that, according to him, could lead to imprisonment.
“I am aware of the laws that could lead to his incarceration, but we have refrained from taking such actions. This is due to our political will and our commitment to fostering a robust democracy. If someone claims, ‘I will make this country ungovernable,’ where should that person be? In many other countries, such individuals would spend the night in Mile 2. He frequently holds press conferences and often flouts the law. However, we are dedicated to strengthening our democracy, which is why we have reported this to the United Nations,” Barrow added
