Human Rights Commission Boss Troubled by Dembo Byforce ‘ Comments’

0
412
Dr. Saihou Gassama, Executive Director, NHRC

The Executive Director of The National Human Rights Commission has expressed concern over comments made by the Presidential Adviser on Religious Affairs, Dembo Bojang alias Dembo Byforce claiming if President Barrow loses the December 4th elections minority tribes will be sent packing out of the Gambia.

Dr. Saihou Gassama told Alkamba Times that politicians like Mr. Bojang should be responsible in their utterances.

He said a few weeks ago, the commission condemned comments made by both President Barrow and the UDP Leader and believes that should remind others that there will be no room for such hateful comments as Gambians head to the polls on Saturday.

“Politicians should learn to be responsible in all their dealings and see the interest of the nation. We are aware of the tribal comments of Dembo Bojang but are yet to issue any statement but we will still rely on the recent statement we made against President Barrow and Ousainu Darboe.”

It could be recalled that Dembo Bojang alias Dembou Byforce claimed during a recent NPP rally in Bakau that if President Adama Barrow loses the December election tribes like Jolas, Serere, Sarahule, Fulas and Karoninkas will all be sent out of the Gambia.

He said there is a party that only believes in Mandinkaism and nothing else and reiterated that “Jolas and Fulas, be prepared to bid farewell to the Gambia if Barrow loses the election.

However, Mr Bojang is not the first demagogue within Barrows camp to make such tribal comments. Tourism Minister Hamat NK Bah was once reported to have said ‘it’s only Fulas that are asked by security personnel to show identification whilst calling on them to vote for Barrow to break that cycle.

Previous articlePresident Barrow lays foundation stone for medical complex in Farato
Next articleNPP Campaign Manager in Wuli East Dismisses Claims of Vote Buying 
Mr. Sainey M.K. Marenah is a Prominent Gambian journalist, founding editor The Alkamba Times and formerly head of communications at the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) and Communications and PR Consultant for The Gambia Pilot Program, under Gamworks. Mr. Marenah served as the Social media Strategist and Editor at Gambia Radio and Television Services. He is also the Banjul Correspondent for Voice of America Radio. Sainey is a human rights and developmental journalist who has carved a strong niche particularly in new media environments in the Gambian media industry. Mr. Marenah began his career as a junior reporter with the Point Newspaper in the Gambia in 2008 and rose through the ranks to become Chief correspondent before moving to The Standard Newspaper also in Banjul as Editorial Assistant and head of News. He is a household name in the Gambia’s media industry having covered some of the most important stories in the former and current government. These include the high profile treason cases including the Trial of Former military chiefs in Banjul in 2009 to 2012. Following his arrest and imprisonment by the former regime of President, Yahya Jammeh in 2014, Marenah moved to Dakar Senegal where he continues to practice Journalism freelancing for various local and international Media organization’s including the BBC, Al-Jazeera, VOA, and ZDF TV in Germany among others. He is the co-Founder of the Banjul Based Media Center for Research and Development; an institution specialized in research and development undertakings. As a journalist and Communication Expert, focused on supporting the Gambia's transitional process, Mr Marenah continues to play a pivotal role in shaping a viable media and communications platform that engages necessary tools and action to increase civic participation and awareness of the needs of transitional governance to strengthen the current move towards democratization. Mr. Marenah has traveled extensively as a professional journalist in both Europe, Africa and United States and attended several local and international media trainings.

Leave a Reply