A civil society group has condemned President Adama Barrow over his “national security threat” comments against the opposition United Democratic Party. 

Celestine Kujabi, Secretary General of Coalition of Progressive Gambians, said the group is “shock and concern” over Barrow’s comments. 

“Calling a group of people or party, individuals or media houses as a threat to national security is a manifestation of his government’s failure to address the security threats that could have been avoided if a proper and genuine security reform blueprint was critically defined and implemented.

“The general political misconduct and disorder has been instigated by the government’s lack of focus and concentration on the implementation of expected reforms and recommendations. If the President is really focused on accelerated growth and development as he claims, then Gambians should have realised better and critics silenced,” the group’s SG said.

According the group, “Barrow has beyond doubt vindicated some of his critics by expressing his disregard for the respect of the rule of law and the intent to override his authority over the separation of powers.

“We the Coalition of Progressive Gambians call on the President to get back on the track that convinced the Gambians to vote for him, the diaspora to finance his campaigns and the media to promote him and his agenda.”

“We the Coalition of Progressive Gambians express our disappointment and call on the International community and goodwill partners to support and stand in solidarity with goodwill Gambians to dismiss this pronouncement,” he added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba