By Kebba Ansu Manneh
Hamat N.K. Bah, the Secretary General of the National Reconciliation Party (NRP), and Minister of Tourism and Culture, has warned critics of President Adama Barrow to stop castigating the president. He said that if such castigations did not come to an end it may push them to the wall and thus retaliate against such criticisms.
Mr. Bah made the statement at Jarra Soma in Lower River Region where the NRP is holding its National Convention in compliance with the Election Act of 2015. This is the first convention the party is holding since President Adama Barrow assumed office after defeating former President Yahya Jammeh in the December 2016 presidential election.
“Stop castigating Adama Barrow because if you push us too much to the wall we will talk, but it’s not time to talk. It’s time to respect each other, it’s time to honor what we have done, it’s time to respect the efforts of The Gambians in making sure that we enjoy this change. And in enjoying this change we should not victimize anybody, and that is what President Barrow is respected for by the international community,” Bah warns critics of Barrow.
It’s not clear whether the statement by Mr. Bah is directed to Lawyer Ousainou Darboe — Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, the Party Leader and Secretary General of the United Democratic Party (UDP) — who recently criticized President Barrow Youth Movement for National Development (BYMDP), or to Mama Kandeh, Leader of opposition Gambia Democratic Congress(GDC)— an arch rival of president Barrow from his native constituency of Jimara. The GDC is also hosting its Congress in Basse, the capital city of the Upper River Region of The Gambia.
“I want to make this clear that President Barrow is enjoying the full support of the international community 100 percent because he is running a transparent government. He is honest and sincere to The Gambian people and that is why my party is committed to his programs to the end of five years term,” Mr. Bah affirms NRP’s position in the political wrangling over the transition period.
The NRP Leader also harped praises on his members of parliament and urges them to continue the good job they have been doing in the National Assembly. Recently, elected members of the NRP in the National Assembly have been instrumental in supporting key legislations from the Barrow Administration. The controversial Supplementary Appropriation Bill (SAB) of 2018 would not have passed into law in the National Assembly weren’t not support from members of the NRP legislators. A sizable number of the United Democratic Party members in the Assembly opposed the SAB of 2018. Mr. Bah said that other members of the parliament have no other choice but to support President Barrow to the end of his five-year term. He added that its only by supporting the president that the country would move forward.
“We need to stabilize this country; we need to revitalize the economy; we need to set the pace moving; we need to be united and speak one voice; and move forward and move this country forward. It’s God who makes a president. It’s one thing to want to be president and being a president are two separate things. We must go back to ourselves; we must reconcile our differences; we must come back as a family especially for those of us who were together during the struggle must come together as a family”, Mr. Bah said as he enjoins Coalition 2016 leaders to unite.
He said The Gambia cannot afford to be divided at this time of its political history. Mr. Bah added that the country needs unity to move forward as one, stressing that this is the song he has been singing over the years in the quest to building this great country.
Bah also said that stability in The Gambia depends on its security. He added that given the geographic location, The Gambia cannot afford to be unstable let alone becoming a failed state. He added that political stability is the most important factor as far as the security of the country is concern.
“I believed that Barrow is here to stay for the time being whether you like it or not. Believe me, I don’t make mere speeches and mere talks. When I tell you, something don’t throw it away even if you don’t believed it; keep it, don’t throw it away. I can assure you anybody trying to undermine Barrow thinking that he is an easy carry away thing that you can do, you will end up pressing yourself to the doom,” Mr. Bah said as he assures President Barrow’s longevity in office.
He said militants of political parties must try hard to keep peace among the political leaders. Mr. Bah added that militants of the political parties must talk on issues that will not bring divisions among political leaders, but rather promoting understanding among them. He also directed his speech to leaders of the political parties in the country, especially to those who are leading the parties that formed the Coalition 2016.
“It is therefore incumbent on all of us as party leaders to work towards the common good of our peoples. We have five years and two years is already gone, and we are left with three years to do the job government needs to do—that is to reconcile our differences, have a better constitution, amend all the criminal codes, conduct free and fair press, develop strategies that will enhance national development that will move this country forward. When we do this, we will see the benefit of the change we all yearn for,” Mr. Bah concluded.