Selective Justice Is Not Rule of Law, It Is Political Weaponization
by Ndey Jobarteh
The Gambia Police Force has issued a Statement charging Lawyer Borry S. Touray with “Incitement to Violence” over remarks made at a Political Rally.
Yet this force, and the Government it serves, has turned a blind eye to far more dangerous and violent rhetoric from Ruling Party Figures, including statements from the very Highest Office in the Land.
Let us recall:
The President himself recently bragged about what he did to protesters before, and openly threatened stronger action against those who oppose his 3rd Term ambition.
Senior NPP militants routinely use inflammatory, degrading, and threatening language at rallies, without summons, without investigation, without a single charge laid against them.
Even members of the Security Services have made political threats with impunity.
So the question is not whether incitement is wrong. It is why only Opposition voices are being labeled criminals.This is not the enforcement of the law, it is the enforcement of fear.
It is not public safety, it is political suppression.
When armored vehicles are deployed against peaceful citizens.
When barricades rise against democratic participation.
When the Police become the frontline of political intimidation.
Then The Gambia is not upholding the law, The Gambia is abandoning democracy.
We demand:
Equal application of the law, not selective persecution
Protection of political speech, not criminalization of dissent
Security Institutions free from executive interference
Respect for the rights guaranteed under the Constitution
If one law exists for the Opposition
and another law for the ruling party
then there is no law.
If one group may speak freely
while another faces punishment
then there is no democracy.
Gambians are peaceful!
Gambians are patient!
But Gambians are not fools!
No intimidation will erase the right of citizens to speak, to organize, to protest, and to demand accountability from those who govern them.
The survival of democracy does not depend on the courage of those in power, but the courage of those who challenge power.
We are watching!
We are documenting!
We will not be silent!!
