Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Councillor Sheriffo Sonko of the Brikama Area Council (BAC) has called on Gambians to move beyond what he described as “endless social media battles” and instead focus on protecting the country’s democratic processes ahead of future elections.
In a statement shared online, Sonko said activism should go beyond protests, workshops, and youth seminars, arguing that citizens must also take an active role in safeguarding democracy and holding both politicians and activists accountable.
“I repeat: activism is not only about protests, workshops, or youth seminars,” Sonko wrote. “No amount of activism alone can bring regime change in a democratic country if there is no free and fair electoral system.”
Reflecting on The Gambia’s political history, Sonko pointed to shifts in political allegiance during the eras of former presidents Sir Dawda Jawara and Yahya Jammeh.
According to him, the political change witnessed in 2016 became possible partly because some supporters of the former regime eventually joined the movement for change.
He warned activists and opposition supporters against abandoning the democratic principles that united Gambians during the struggle against Jammeh’s 22-year rule.
“Some people who are fighting against the current system today were once supporters or beneficiaries of the previous system,” he stated. “However, the most important thing is that we should never deviate from the principles upon which our struggle was founded.”
Sonko also stressed the need for national unity grounded in justice, reconciliation, and respect for the rule of law. At the same time, he cautioned against pursuing political change without a clear agenda or direction.
The councilor urged Gambians, particularly activists, to pay close attention to the voter registration process and work to ensure transparency in the electoral system instead of engaging in political hostility on social media.
“Let all activists who truly believe in the rule of law go into the field and observe the voter registration process,” he said.
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