By MB Jalloh
I just read a short piece authored by US – based Sierra Leonean Journalist, Alpha Kamara on President Adama Barrow’s recent incendiary remarks against his former political mentor, Ousaine Darboe.
Alpha Kamara’s piece posted on his Facebook page reads:
President Adama Barrow of The Gambia finds himself in controversy for his remarks about his former political mentor, Ousainou Darboe.
I swear to you all, I will remain as president until Ousainou Darboe dies. When his death is announced, I will attend his funeral, then, and only then, will I feel fulfilled as president and step aside, Barrow said.
Barrow’s ascent to the presidency was heavily influenced by Darboe, who was imprisoned by the notorious President Jammeh.
However, the alliance between Barrow and Darboe quickly disintegrated after Jammeh’s fall from power.
Now, with Darboe at the age of 75, these incendiary comments have sent shockwaves through the nation.
End of Kamara’s piece.
Now, let me give my take on President Barrow’s inflammatory remarks and at the same time, remind our leaders that power is ephemeral.
Like many of my Gambian friends, I was deeply shocked and dismayed by the inflammatory, unwarranted, and divisive remarks made by President Adama Barrow against the leader of the opposition United Democratic Party, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe.
How can President Barrow vow that he would not step down as President until Mr. Darboe passed away? President Barrow, do you have any guarantee that Mr. Darboe will die before you?
Mr. President should know that, it is only Allah, the Supreme Lord, Who determines when a person dies, or who dies before who. Only a person with scanty knowledge about how Allah does things can have the audacity to make such an irresponsible statement.
This unfortunate, toxic and divisive rhetoric has been met with widespread condemnation across the political spectrum. I think President Barrow needs to retract his comments and apologize publicly to Mr. Darboe and Gambians. And what’s more, he needs to seek forgiveness from his Creator.
Such unprovoked remarks by no lesser a person than the Head of State are unacceptable and threaten national unity and social cohesion. I used to respect President Barrow, but his tone and attitude in this regard is both surprising and disappointing.
Those who have been following Gambian politics can attest to the fact that, Lawyer Darboe played a crucial role in bringing about change in The Gambia. He was among the few who stood up against former President Yahya Jammeh’s dictatorship, enduring significant hardship as a result. In 2016, Darboe was sentenced to prison, where he remained until Jammeh lost the election.
Darboe is a respected statesman, especially considering the fact that President Barrow came into power through Darboe’s party before they had a fall out.
Leaders should use their platforms to promote peace and national unity. Instead of making divisive statements that could incite unrest in their countries, they should address the issues impacting the lives and livelihoods of the people and refrain from launching unnecessary political attacks against their opponents.
Leaders must be reminded that power is ephemeral; as they shall vacate their positions/offices one day. Power intoxicated leaders always forget that descending is easier than ascending.
Take for example what happened in The Gambia a few years back. Yahya Jammeh told the BBC in 2011 that he will rule for “one billion years”, which we know is quite impossible, but he ended up in exile.
Nothing is permanent, except the power of the Almighty Allah. The only everlasting power is that of the Supreme Lord, Allah. Power belongs to Him. He is the Most High, the Most Exalted, the Owner of all authority and Lord of the seven heavens and the Magnificent Throne.
Let me end this piece with a meaningful quranic verse:
قُلِ اللّٰهُمَّ مٰلِكَ الۡمُلۡكِ تُؤۡتِى الۡمُلۡكَ مَنۡ تَشَآءُ وَتَنۡزِعُ الۡمُلۡكَ مِمَّنۡ تَشَآءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَنۡ تَشَآءُ وَتُذِلُّ مَنۡ تَشَآءُؕ بِيَدِكَ الۡخَيۡرُؕ اِنَّكَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ قَدِيۡرٌ
Quran 3:26 says:
Say, “O Allah, Sovereign of all dominion! You grant authority to whom You will and remove it from whom You will. You honor whom You will and disgrace whom You will. In Your hand is all good. Indeed, You have power over all things.”
