The United Democratic Party (UDP) has issued a scathing condemnation of Agriculture Minister Demba Sabally’s inflammatory statement, in which he suggested that “shedding blood” might be necessary to secure President Adama Barrow’s victory in the 2026 Gambian elections. The opposition party labeled the remarks as reckless, irresponsible, and a direct assault on the nation’s democratic principles and peace.
In a strongly worded statement, the UDP expressed alarm at Sabally’s comments, arguing they violate the democratic values and peace that Gambians have fought to uphold. “As a sitting Minister of the Republic, Sabally’s remarks are not only irresponsible but also a blatant violation of the peace and democratic principles that The Gambia upholds,” the UDP stated. The party warned that such rhetoric risks inciting violence, undermining the integrity of the electoral process, and betraying the ministerial oath to serve all Gambians, not just partisan interests.
The UDP emphasized that Gambians have suffered the consequences of divisive politics in the past and must not return to an era of fear and bloodshed. “The UDP condemns in the strongest terms any suggestion of violence as a tool for political gain,” the statement read, calling Sabally’s words a “direct threat to national stability.” The party demanded an immediate retraction of the statement and urged President Barrow to publicly denounce his minister’s dangerous rhetoric and hold him accountable.
The opposition also called on the National Human Rights Commission and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to reject any normalization of violence in Gambian politics. Additionally, the UDP appealed to the international community to take note of what it described as rising threats to democracy in The Gambia ahead of the 2026 elections.
Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful and transparent elections, the UDP urged Gambians to reject fearmongering and unite in demanding accountability from public officials. “We remain committed to peaceful, transparent, and issue-based elections in 2026,” the statement concluded, rallying citizens to safeguard the nation’s democratic future.
The controversy surrounding Sabally’s remarks has sparked widespread concern, with many Gambians taking to social media to express outrage and call for unity. As tensions rise, all eyes are on President Barrow and his administration to address the growing unease and reaffirm their commitment to a peaceful electoral process.
