16/08/2026
It is time to wake up. Enough is enough.
The continued attacks, discrimination, and negative rhetoric directed at Mandinkas in The Gambia are deeply concerning and should not be treated as normal. For years, many Gambians have witnessed tribal sentiments being used to divide our people, and we have remained silent for far too long.
Let me be clear: no tribe is superior to another. Mandinkas, Fulas, Wolofs, Jolas, Serahules, Manjagos, Saraholes, and every other ethnic community in The Gambia deserve equal respect, dignity, and protection. Our diversity should be our strength, not a weapon used to create division.
Much of the current frustration stems from the conduct of the government and the way certain tribal remarks have been handled. President Adama Barrow's decision to defend Seedy Njie's controversial remarks about Mandinkas has understandably caused anger and disappointment among many people. When statements that are perceived as insulting or discriminatory toward an ethnic group are defended rather than condemned, it sends a dangerous message that such rhetoric is acceptable.
Likewise, those who attempt to use tribal sentiments for political purposes should understand that Gambians are watching. Baba Leigh and anyone else who believes that tribal politics can be used to weaken or intimidate Mandinkas should not expect people to remain silent forever. We must reject attempts to turn our ethnic identities against one another.
What is particularly painful is seeing some Mandinkas continue to give unconditional support to a government whose officials and supporters are accused of making statements that demean or discriminate against their own community. Political loyalty should never require us to ignore injustice. Supporting a government does not mean defending everything it does, and criticizing a government does not mean hating the country.
At the same time, our response must not become another form of tribal hatred.
