Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Citizens’ Alliance (CA) Chairman Raffie Diab has reported an alleged attack on his office in Bakau to the police after a group of supporters of the United Democratic Party (UDP) allegedly pelted his premises with stones, smashed windows and damaged property as UDP leader Ousainou Darboe traveled to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for his presidential nomination.
The incident reportedly occurred on Monday as Darboe’s convoy passed through Bakau. According to Diab, he was in his office attending to work when a customer, whom he described as a staunch UDP supporter, informed him that Darboe was approaching and encouraged him to step outside to greet the opposition leader.
Diab said he subsequently went outside to acknowledge Darboe but was met with insults from some UDP supporters. He decided to return to his office rather than engage with them.
However, he said the situation quickly escalated into violence, with people shouting and screaming outside his premises. When he came out to assess what was happening, he found his staff barricaded inside the office, with the main gate locked and stones being thrown at the building.
CA Reports Considerable Damages to Raffie’s Properties
In a statement, Citizens’ Alliance said the attackers also smashed Diab’s car windscreen, shattered the glass on his office door and caused significant damage to his workshop.
The party described the incident as an unprovoked attack and accused UDP supporters of political intolerance and thuggery, warning that violence and intimidation had no place in the country’s democratic process.
Diab said the level of hostility was unnecessary, urging political supporters to keep their disagreements within the bounds of political debate rather than resorting to physical confrontation.
He also confirmed that he had reported the incident to the police, who had launched an investigation.
Citizens’ Alliance called on the Inspector General of Police, the Gambia Police Force, the IEC and other relevant institutions to treat the matter with urgency. The party further said it had obtained video footage showing individuals allegedly involved in the attack and would make it available to investigators to facilitate their identification and prosecution.
The party also called on political leaders to take responsibility for the conduct of their supporters and publicly commit to peaceful campaigning ahead of the December 5 presidential election.
The incident raises fresh concerns about political intolerance and the potential for violence as parties intensify their activities ahead of the election. It also underscores the responsibility of political leaders to ensure that campaign activities and public appearances do not become flashpoints for confrontation.
Citizens’ Alliance warned that it would not tolerate attacks against its leadership, members or property.
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