The United Democratic Party (UDP) has condemned remarks by Agriculture Minister Demba Sabally, who reportedly threatened to arrest Banjul Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe and lawyer Essa Mbye Faal if they joined youth-led peaceful demonstrations.

In a statement, UDP described Sabally’s comments as “reckless and undemocratic,” accusing the minister of undermining the country’s constitutionally guaranteed rights.

“This statement is not only unconstitutional but a dangerous attack on the fundamental rights of all Gambians,” it said.

“For a sitting Minister to openly threaten arrest and imprisonment for exercising a constitutional right is an abuse of authority and a clear violation of democratic principles.”

According to the UDP, the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia guarantees all citizens, including elected officials, the right to peaceful protest.

“Mayor Lowe and Essa Mbye Faal, like any other Gambian, have the full right to participate in peaceful protests without fear of political persecution,” the party said, referencing Section 25(1)(d) of the Constitution which protects the right to “assemble and demonstrate peaceably and without arms.”

The UDP called for an immediate retraction and public apology from Minister Sabally and urged the government to reassure the public that it would respect citizens’ right to peaceful assembly.

“No one should be targeted for exercising their democratic freedoms,” the statement continued.

The party also appealed to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to take up the matter, arguing that public officials “must not be allowed to intimidate citizens with unlawful threats.”

“The Gambia has fought hard to move away from the dark days of dictatorship,” the UDP warned. “We urge the government to act responsibly and uphold the democratic values that our people sacrificed for.”

By Adama Makasuba