The Gambia: Ethnic rhetoric sparks concerns during presidential tour

Concerns regarding ethnic and identity-based rhetoric have emerged during President Adama Barrow’s ‘Meet the People’ Tour in The Gambia. As the country approaches the December 5, 2026, presidential election, political leaders have faced criticism for statements that may threaten national stability and democratic cohesion.

One notable incident involved the Minister of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs, Hamat N. K. Bah. During a National People's Party (NPP) gathering in Farafenni, Bah suggested that if the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) were to win, certain citizens might be forced to leave the country. He specifically claimed that the UDP targets the Fula and Wolof ethnic groups, stating, “If you vote for UDP, you will all pack and leave this country.”

Bah also remarked that the country must not allow a “foreigner” to lead, warning that such an outcome could turn The Gambia into “the new Lebanon.” These comments have drawn condemnation for invoking ethnic divisions within a diverse population that has historically coexisted with little open strife.