A Gambian member of parliament has called for a new law to criminalise insults in the country’s political debates. 

The lawmaker’s suggestion comes almost two years after the Government wanted to criminalise insult, a move widely condemned by Gambians, who described such law as “dictatorial”.

House Minority Leader Samba Jallow said: “In the Gambia insulting is a culture and that need to be address to make sure anyone who insults shall face justice.”

“The former justice minister [Abubacarr] Tambedou wanted to bring a bill that will criminalise insults but people campaign against the bill until it was withdrawn,” he added.

Mr Jallow urged his fellow lawmakers “to advise the citizens for peace and smooth running of the elections,” as he called on all politicians to also sensitise their followers “because each group is represented by a party leader. Politics should be based on rules and regulations to prevent violence.”

“We have seen the warnings and the trend of 2021 presidential election”, adding that “the registration process has laws that is guiding the whole process and elections starts from registration process.”

“We should not take the law in our hands and once that is done, we are inviting violence,” he said.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba