Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun (Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we shall return)

The news of Bakary M.A. Jaiteh’s death, affectionately and popularly known as General Baxso, will be met with sadness across the political spectrum. Many knew him through rallies, media appearances, and passionate political engagements rather than through personal acquaintance. Still, few can deny he was one of his generation’s most recognisable political voices.

General Baxso belonged to a rare breed of politicians whose identities became inseparable from the causes they chose to defend. For decades, he remained a steadfast loyalist of the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), unwavering through periods of dominance, defeat, division, and transition. In a political culture where allegiances often shift with changing circumstances, his constancy distinguished him from many of his contemporaries.

From his early days as a businessman at Albert Market in Banjul to his emergence as a grassroots political organiser after the events of July 1994, General Baxso built his reputation not on elite credentials or academic titles but on relentless political activism and organisational commitment.

He had an instinctive grasp of grassroots politics and knew how to connect with ordinary supporters. His political journey eventually led him to serve as Assistant Commissioner and later Deputy Governor of the West Coast Region, while maintaining key responsibilities within the APRC.

Yet public office alone does not explain why he became such a memorable figure. General Baxso’s unmistakable political persona made him unique. He was a polemicist in the classical sense, never reluctant to enter political battles and rarely hesitant to defend those he believed in.

Whether speaking in English or Mandinka, he brought energy, colour, and conviction to his arguments. His speeches often carried the force of a political rally, even in ordinary conversation. Superlatives were not merely rhetorical devices for him; they were part of his political signature.

He spoke with the confidence of a man who genuinely believed in his cause. To his supporters, this made him a courageous defender of principle. To his critics, it sometimes made him controversial. But even those who disagreed with him often acknowledged the passion and authenticity that characterized his interventions. In an era increasingly dominated by cautious political messaging, General Baxso remained refreshingly direct.

After the 2016 political transition, he continued to play an active role in national discourse. As a prominent member of the APRC faction associated with Speaker Fabakary Tombong Jatta, he remained one of the party’s most vocal defenders. At the same time, he became an enthusiastic advocate of the governing coalition led by President Adama Barrow, arguing passionately for political cooperation and national stability.

His contribution to Gambian politics cannot be measured solely by electoral victories or official titles. Rather, it lies in his enduring presence in the public square. He represented a generation of political activists who believed politics was not merely a profession but a vocation.

Through television appearances, radio discussions, public meetings, and countless informal exchanges, he remained engaged with the national conversation until the end.

People often remember politics through presidents, ministers, and party leaders. Still, loyal foot soldiers sustain political movements by dedicating their lives to mobilising supporters, defending ideas, and preserving institutional memory. General Baxso was one of those figures. He helped shape debates, energise supporters, and keep political organizations connected to their grassroots foundations.

As The Gambia enters another important political season, his absence will be felt. The familiar voice that once defended his party with unwavering determination will no longer be heard. The colorful expressions, fiery rebuttals, trademark confidence, and larger-than-life personality that made him a fixture in Gambian political discourse now belong to memory.

Whether one agreed with his positions or opposed them, General Baxso embodied commitment. He believed in political loyalty at a time when people often treat it as expendable. He remained active when others withdrew. He spoke when others remained silent. And he defended his convictions with remarkable vigour.

Today, Gambian politics loses one of its most distinctive characters, and the nation bids farewell to a man who dedicated much of his life to public and political engagement.

May Bakary M.A. Jaiteh, General Baxso, rest in peace. Allah grant him Alijannah Firdaus. His voice may be silent, but his presence will remain part of modern Gambian political history for years to come. His allies will remember his loyalty, his opponents his tenacity, and the nation his unmistakable place in the theatre of Gambian public life.

By Alagi Yorro Jallow