Amnesty International has condemned President Adama Barrow’s verbal attack on rights activist Madi Jobarteh. 

The rights group’s in a statement said it expressed grave concern for the safety of Mr Jobarteh “following your televised statement on 2 May in front of Banjul Muslim Elders at State House.”

“It was alarming to see that during speech, you accused Madi Jobarteh of being a ‘troublemaker’ who wants to bring violence and burn down the country, and the media of being irresponsible for serving as a platform to Madi Jobarteh,” the statement said.

“In a society guaranteeing human rights, including the right to freedom of expression, such baseless attacks and accusations against human rights defenders and the media raise serious cincern.

“I fear that not only has your recent statement stigmatised Madi Jobarteh’s peaceful activism, but dangerously exercebated the rise he faces in his personal and professional life, making the target of threats, harasment and criminalisation,” the statement added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba