The Fulbe Africa Organisation has issued a scathing condemnation of recent remarks made by Hon. Hamat NK Bah, Minister for Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs, accusing him of unfairly linking livestock herdsmen to violence and jihadist attacks in the West African sub-region. The statement, delivered on Sunday, March 30, during the Banjul Muslim Elders’ Meeting at State House, has sparked outrage among the Fulbe community, who call it false, irresponsible, and a threat to their safety.
In a strongly worded response, Fulbe Africa described the minister’s comments as “misleading and very dangerous,” arguing that they perpetuate negative stereotypes about Fulbe herdsmen and could incite resentment or even attacks against their communities. “This statement is not only false… but it is capable of negatively stereotyping decent herdsmen/Fulbe people in The Gambia and West Africa at large,” the organization said. They emphasized that no credible evidence or intelligence supports Bah’s claims, accusing him of undermining the peaceful reputation of the Fulbe, who are known for their contributions to the national economy through livestock husbandry.
The organization also highlighted a pressing issue facing herdsmen: the rapid loss of traditional grazing lands to crop cultivation and settlements. “Land available to livestock grazing is diminishing rapidly, leaving hundreds of thousands herd of cattle and small ruminants in starvation and death,” they noted, urging the Ministry of Lands and other government bodies to designate grazing areas nationwide to reduce tensions between land users.
Fulbe Africa demanded Minister Bah retract his statement and issue a public apology, calling his words an “affront” to hardworking Gambians. They further urged the Government of The Gambia to distance itself from the remarks and compel the minister to make amends. “When leaders speak, they should inspire hope and not cause uncertainty and despair,” the group stated, invoking the Fulbe phrase “Pullo Fof Ko Pullo” (Every Fulbe is a Fulbe) to rally support for their cause.
