National Assembly Member for Banjul North, Hon. Modou Lamin B. Bah, has warned that he will not be silenced after leading what he described as the first peaceful candlelight protest in Banjul.

Bah said the protest was held to demand what he described as honesty, dignity and respect in governance.

“We held candles, not weapons. We sang for justice, not for violence. We stood for light in darkness,” Bah said.

The lawmaker alleged that he was threatened by President Adama Barrow over the protest, describing such alleged threats as a concern for democratic freedoms.

Bah said the demonstration was conducted peacefully and that prior notification had been given to the authorities.

He cited Section 25 of the 1997 Constitution, which protects freedom of assembly and other fundamental rights.

The Banjul North lawmaker further claimed that he now has reason to believe that his life and work could be at risk because of his representation of his constituents.

“I hold Mr. Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia, personally responsible” if anything happens to him or any member of his family, Bah said.

Bah called on the Inspector General of Police to guarantee the security of himself and his family and urged the Speaker and leadership of the National Assembly to defend parliamentary immunity and institutional independence.

He also appealed to the National Human Rights Commission, Gambia Bar Association, civil society organisations, religious leaders and the media to support what he described as the defence of justice and democratic rights.

The lawmaker further called on ECOWAS, the African Union, United Nations, European Union and diplomatic missions in The Gambia to monitor what he described as a deteriorating space for dissent.

Addressing residents of Banjul North, Bah urged them not to be intimidated.

“A single candle can light a whole city,” he said, adding that he remained committed to representing his constituents.

By Adama Makasuba