By: Kebba Ansu Manneh
The Grand Imam of Niani Kunting, Sheikh Sanusi Sillah, has issued a strong warning to Gambian political leaders to shun tribalism, describing it as a dangerous “disease” that cannot be cured once it takes root in the heart.
Delivering his Friday sermon on May 15, 2026, Imam Sillah emphasized that tribalism has no place in The Gambia, a nation where all ethnic groups are interconnected through intermarriage. He urged leaders to exercise caution in their words, deeds, and actions, reminding them of the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who warned leaders against selfishness, nepotism, and unequal treatment of citizens.
“Our leaders should be very mindful of their utterances; they should be mindful of their deeds and actions,” Imam Sillah said. “The Holy Prophet has called on leaders to be upright, treat their subjects equally, and avoid nepotism. If any leader fails to adhere to this advice, he or she will surely face the consequences.”
The Imam stressed that racial segregation and tribalism have never developed any country but only set it back. He advised leaders who lack a deep understanding of religious teachings to consult scholars before making public statements that could incite societal tensions.
Imam Sillah further observed that many societal problems stem from appointing individuals to positions for which they are unqualified. He reminded leaders of the Day of Reckoning, when all deeds—good or bad—will be accounted for, urging them to uphold integrity.
“Any country whose leaders cannot provide basic medical treatment for its citizens is not managing the country well,” he said. “Similarly, any country whose leaders cannot provide education for its citizens but relies on other countries to educate them has failed and must assess itself before the Day of Judgment.”
In a pointed reference to recent events, the Grand Imam expressed concern over what he described as the castigation and demeaning of the Mandinka ethnic group.
“What is very unfortunate is to see our own leaders castigating and demeaning the Mandinka ethnic group and even boasting of denying some Mandinkas certain government positions,” he said. “This development is very scary… what we know in this country is that all tribes are equal and no tribe is better than the other.”
Imam Sillah declared that tribal rhetoric should only emanate from “an ignorant person, an unconscious person, or an insane person,” but never from a national leader. He reminded leaders of the oaths they took upon assuming office, warning that they will be held accountable for them both in this world and the hereafter.
The Imam’s remarks come amid widespread outrage over a leaked audio recording of Seedy S.K. Njie, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. In the viral clip, first published on the Whats On Gambia Facebook page, Njie reportedly boasted about blocking the appointment of Abubacarr Darboe as Director General of Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) and Ousman Ceesay as Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Vice President, citing their Mandinka ethnicity and perceived support for the United Democratic Party (UDP).
The comments have sparked shock and condemnation from the Mandinka community and various civil society organizations, who have called on President Adama Barrow’s government and the National Assembly to take decisive action against the Deputy Speaker.
Imam Sillah’s sermon is seen as a timely moral intervention in a country long celebrated for its ethnic harmony. Many Gambians hope his message will encourage leaders to prioritize national unity over divisive politics as the nation continues to strengthen its young democracy.
