During a Monday press conference, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, the Secretary-General and Leader of the opposition United Democracy Party, sent a strong message to reporters, saying that they would not be intimidated by the recent arrest of Mr. Ebrima Dibba, an Executive Member of their party.

“We will not be intimidated, Mr. President. The fact that Mr. Dibba was arrested won’t scare us. Actually, the arrest of Mr. Dibba has strengthened our will and determination to ensure that the nation never again experiences dictatorship. We’re going to treat you, Adama Barrow, the same way we treated that last tyrant. We won’t let you truly come here and treat us like garbage. We will not be intimidated into submission. The UDP Leader stated, “We want to assure you that we will continue to take the same actions we did prior to your election in order to safeguard our rights.
Darboe underlined that President Barrow’s intimidating strategies are intolerable and that the country is a collective legacy. He called for the creation of an environment that would allow for free and open political discussion.

“We are aware that the previous government armed the police and the judiciary against the United Democracy Party, but I have no doubt that the judiciary, led by the Honourable Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow, will not be used as a weapon. While I cannot speak for the police, we will oppose any action you take to weaponize any institution. And I want to inform the police, the investigators, and the prosecutors that you were all in this nation during the Jammeh era and that you all left for exile because of the conditions here that require you to go.
Because the police were being militarised, and some of you who are currently in positions of responsibility within the police suffered as a result. You travelled abroad after leaving this nation. Hon. Darboe counselled the Police, “You should not allow yourself to be used by the Barrow administration. You have your families here, you have returned to the Gambia.”
The Honourable Darboe emphasised that his party has strong ties to the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Europe. He went on to say that they have thorough records of every police action throughout the nation.

He warned the police of the consequences of supporting an administration that flouts the constitution and reminded them of their obligation to enforce justice and defend citizens’ rights.
And you understand that by supporting an out-of-control administration that is breaking the constitution, you are endangering your families, and you are aware of the consequences for your family as well,” he said.

In addition, Darboe attacked President Barrow for his recent tour, saying that instead of showcasing ideas that would help the Gambian people, he was using it to target opponents. He said the president’s disparaging remarks regarding the UDP were inappropriate for his position and denounced them.

“The president really went out there attacking individuals, rather than using this as an opportunity to really tell the Gambian people what he was prepared to do in the health, education, and agriculture sectors, or using it to explain to them what policies he has for them. “We don’t believe that the funds provided by the Gambian taxpayers were effectively utilised,” he stated.

The Honourable Darboe questioned President Barrow’s rationale for labelling the UDP as a “bana-bana party.” He stated that he thought the president was being extremely unpresidential by using such language and implied that he was equating himself with “veranda politicians.”

“Calling the Bureaus a “Narr Boutique”—we believe, and draw the conclusion—that he was alluding to the Bureaus that Talib Ahmed Bensouda, the future head of the United Democratic Party, is expected to take over. Barrow’s obsession with the United Democratic Party is extreme. He is completely preoccupied with the idea of someone running against him. Honourable Darboe emphasised, “Should the president descend to the level of a veranda boy; to the extent of classifying our Bureaus as “Narr Boutique” and then also saying that the Narr will be taking over.”