The Shape-Shifter’s Creed: Essa Bokarr Sey and the Politics of Opportunism

Alagi Yorro Jallow

 Fatoumatta: In the delicate fabric of Gambian democracy, few figures embody moral inconsistency and political opportunism as starkly as Essa Bokarr Sey. Once a sergeant in the defunct Gendarme and later an ambassador under the dictatorship of Yahya Jammeh, Sey has spent decades perfecting the art of ideological transformation.  His recent act —a bold defense of Jammeh’s legacy and his anticipated return —was paraded on WhatsApp audio posts and social media propaganda.  This is not a tale of redemption; it is a clear and present danger, a stark warning about the perils of expedience.

 Essa Bokarr Sey’s political journey is a study in contradiction.  From a loyal sergeant in the Gendamarie to an ambassador basking in Jammeh’s favor, he has mastered the art of ideological shape-shifting.  His recent endorsement of Jammeh’s return, wrapped in propaganda and selective amnesia, is a stark contrast to his past.  The evidence is clear: Sey was a vocal supporter of Jammeh’s regime, even justifying the appalling April 10/11 student massacre of 2000, which claimed the lives of 14 innocent students.

 As an ambassador, he wielded multiple pseudonyms—Hamadi Massina, Mama Yero Pullo, and Town Crier—to insult, threaten, and silence dissenters.  He did not merely serve Jammeh; he reflected his tyranny.  This is not a narrative of redemption; it is a chilling study in opportunism.  Sey’s trajectory reads like a tragic farce: a devoted loyalist to Jammeh when the perks flowed freely, a critic when the tides turned, a Barrow supporter when his job was secure, and a cyberbully when his position was threatened.

 Now, as Jammeh’s shadow looms once more, Sey reemerges as a self-proclaimed champion of the dictator’s legacy—advocating economic development while conveniently erasing the horrific record of human rights violations.  Where, then, is his moral compass?  Let us be clear: Essa Bokarr Sey was no passive diplomat.  He was an active enabler of Jammeh’s brutal regime, defending the indefensible, including the heinous April 10/11 student massacre of 2000.  In online forums like Gambia-L and Gambia Post, Sey’s pseudonyms served as digital disguises for vitriol, blackmail, and ideological thuggery.  He did not merely diverge from his principal; he mirrored his darkest impulses. Even in Washington, D.C., Sey’s loyalty to Jammeh was unshakeable.

Fatoumatta: When asked to share his speech with “The Independent”, an outlet accused of leaning toward opposition, he outright refused.  His directive?  Exclusivity to the “Daily Observer,” Jammeh’s propaganda mouthpiece.  So much for fair and objective reporting.  Yet, when Jammeh dismissed him, Sey sought asylum rather than return.  He aligned himself with the pro-democracy movement he had once vilified, unleashing his acerbic rhetoric against the very regime he had served.

 Until 2016, Sey portrayed himself as a dissident.  However, after Adama Barrow’s election, he pivoted once more, lobbying for a position and securing a spot on the OIC.  When that contract expired and his lobbying efforts failed, he reverted to his old ways—attacking the government, blackmailing innocent citizens, and presenting himself as a political savior.  His announcement of a 2026 presidential bid, based on a ‘Third Term’ debate already settled by the constitution, was not a serious campaign; it was a desperate cry for relevance.

 Now, with Jammeh’s return looming, Sey has assumed yet another guise.  He defends Jammeh’s economic legacy while willfully ignoring the regime’s atrocities: the murders of journalists, acts of torture, arson, and systemic corruption.  This is not an analysis of political realities; it is an act of historical vandalism.  Essa Bokarr Sey is not a paradox; he is a predictable pattern of opportunism.  His story is a stark warning for fragile democracies: be vigilant of the opportunist who wears many masks but cannot claim a single truth.

Fatoumatta: In our pursuit of justice and a truthful civic memory, we must reject the politics of convenience and recommit to the principles of accountability, dignity, and historical integrity.  Let it be known: those who enable dictators—whether in military uniform, in exile, or on social media do not merit our silence; they deserve our scrutiny.  It is our collective responsibility to remain vigilant and hold such opportunists accountable.