The United Democratic Party (UDP) has joined the chorus of condemnation regarding the arrest and criminal charges filed against Musa Sheriff, proprietor of The Voice Newspaper, and journalist Momodou Justice Darboe.
In a strongly worded statement, the UDP criticized the charges as unfounded and reminiscent of past authoritarian practices in The Gambia, where state institutions were allegedly manipulated to serve presidential interests.
The party expressed concern over the state’s actions, warning that such moves could lead to increased repression and a clampdown on freedom of expression and the press.
Specifically, the UDP dismissed the charges that Sheriff and Darboe’s reporting caused “public alarm” as baseless, emphasising that discussing potential political candidates is not a crime.
The UDP also noted the contradiction between President Adama Barrow’s recent claims at the United Nations, where he asserted that no journalists or human rights activists had been jailed under his administration, and the reality on the ground with the arrest of The Voice journalist.
The party called on the Inspector General of Police to refrain from entangling partisan political matters, such as succession plans within Barrow’s National People’s Party (NPP), with national security or legal concerns.
It urged the authorities to drop the charges and allow the matter to be addressed in civil court, as hinted by Barrow’s legal counsel.
