Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Brikama Area Council Chairman Yankuba Darboe has launched a fierce online offensive against prominent Gambian activist Madi Jobarteh, following Jobarteh’s public criticism of Darboe’s controversial call for United Democratic Party (UDP) supporters to “install” their presidential candidate “by force” if the party wins the 2026 election.
In a series of combative Facebook posts, Darboe lashed out at Jobarteh for suggesting that his earlier remarks could fuel post-election unrest. The council boss accused the activist of interfering in what he described as private affairs of the opposition UDP.
“An activist who calls for the arrest of an opposition official for his utterances at a political meeting in democratic Gambia should not affiliate himself with the name of Edward Francis Small!” Darboe wrote on Facebook. “Mr. Small never championed the arrest of anyone.”
The remark drew applause from Darboe’s social media supporters, many of whom accused Madi Jobarteh of double standards, citing his silence over recent comments by National People’s Party (NPP) executive Demba Sabally, who declared President Barrow would win the 2026 election regardless of circumstances.
However, others condemned Darboe’s stance as dangerously incendiary, likening it to a call for post-election violence.
The uproar comes on the heels of Darboe’s recent political rally in Farato, where he told UDP supporters to be ready to install their candidate “by force” if the party is victorious in 2026 but denied power.
His rhetoric has drawn national attention, sparking fears about democratic backsliding and weakening respect for the rule of law ahead of the high-stakes election.
As previously reported here, legal experts and civil society leaders have warned that such inflammatory language risks undermining democratic norms and institutions. Darboe, a senior UDP figure and vocal critic of President Barrow, has refused to retract the comments, instead doubling down by targeting dissenters like Jobarteh.
In response, Madi Jobarteh reaffirmed the importance of holding public figures accountable for their speech. In a statement posted online, he wrote:
“Misleading or inflammatory statements can erode confidence, incite unrest, and undermine institutions. Robust accountability through transparent fact-checking, legal consequences, and public condemnation ensures officials uphold truthfulness and promote responsible discourse.”
The back-and-forth highlights the fragile nature of the country’s democratic progress. With the 2026 presidential elections looming, calls are growing for all political actors to uphold peace, legality, and civil discourse.
