A leading human rights defender has accused President Adama Barrow of transforming the constitutionally mandated “Meet the People Tour” into an illegal campaign rally, draining public coffers and echoing the authoritarian tactics of former dictator Yahya Jammeh.
Madi Jobarteh, founder and executive director of the Banjul-based Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice, issued a scathing statement on Saturday, declaring the tour a “blatant violation” of Section 222(15) of the 1997 Constitution. The provision requires the president to conduct nationwide tours twice yearly “to familiarize himself or herself with current conditions and the effect of government policies.”
“This is not a political rally and fanfare,” Jobarteh wrote. “It is a serious official fact-finding mission… a public awareness function… a monitoring exercise… and an accountability mechanism.” Instead, he charged, Barrow has hijacked the exercise for National People’s Party (NPP) gain.
Eyewitness accounts from Salikenni and other stops corroborate Jobarteh’s claims. President Barrow reportedly warned residents: “If I keep providing without support, I’ll get tired,” implying denial of services to non-supporters. Agriculture Minister Demba Sabally, Deputy Speaker Seedy Njie, and NPP activists—joined by chiefs and alkalolu barred from partisan activity—openly campaigned for Barrow’s third term.
The tour’s bloated entourage has paralyzed government offices, Jobarteh alleged. Scores of civil servants, the Deputy Speaker, and unelected NPP supporters travel at taxpayer expense, inflating fuel, hotel, and per diem costs beyond budgeted limits. “This misuse of state resources for partisan gain is a classic case of abuse of office,” he stated.
Opposition figures face vicious attacks reminiscent of Jammeh’s era. Barrow and his officials have labeled rivals “unpatriotic” and “dangerous,” rhetoric Jobarteh says violates Section 60(1)’s guarantee of multiparty democracy and risks national peace.
No genuine dialogue occurs, Jobarteh continued. Communities present needs; officials recite accomplishments and issue promises. Structural crises—such as economic stagnation, youth unemployment, and institutional decay—remain unaddressed.
Jobarteh warned that willful constitutional breach is impeachable and urged the Independent Electoral Commission, Inter-Party Committee, civil society, and citizens to condemn the “illegality.” “Silence is complicity,” he declared.
President Barrow must recognize he is “a constitutional president, not a monarch,” Jobarteh said. “The Gambia cannot afford another era of unchecked executive power.”
The tour continues in the Upper River Region.
