Essa Mbye Faal has criticised President Adama Barrow, warning that the president is straying dangerously close to the path once taken by former dictator Yahya Jammeh.

Faal, who leads the APP Sobeya party, made the comments during an interview with Kerr Fatou, accusing Barrow of abandoning the democratic values and reformist spirit that swept him to power in 2016.

“President Barrow is no longer the man Gambians supported in 2016,” he said.

 “He has transformed from someone who promised to serve and hand over power, into someone obsessed with staying in power for 20 years.”

Faal’s remarks come amid increasing political tensions ahead of the 2026 presidential elections.

He argued that Barrow’s leadership style has shifted from inclusion and transition to entrenchment and self-interest.

“Barrow played a game with us,” Faal added. “His politics is full of dirty tactics.

“He is now using the same playbook as former President Jammeh,  except for the human rights abuses, and for that, we thank him.”

While Faal acknowledged that Barrow has not repeated the systematic human rights violations that defined Jammeh’s 22-year rule, he warned that the president’s growing authoritarian tendencies could threaten Gambia’s fragile democracy.

“Respect for human rights is important, but it’s not the only measure of democracy,” he said.

“The way power is acquired and retained matters too. And Barrow is beginning to resemble the very system we fought to dismantle.”

By Adama Makasuba