The political tension between President Adama Barrow and his former ally, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, has reignited after the President responded sharply to Darboe’s recent description of his administration as a “foolish government.”
Speaking at a rally in Sukuta Sabiji over the weekend, President Barrow took direct aim at the leader of Gambia’s main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), accusing him of ingratitude and political hypocrisy. Using a biblical reference, Barrow likened their strained relationship to that between Prophet Musa and Pharaoh, lamenting how the man who once praised him as a savior now portrays him as a tyrant.
“When you called my government a foolish government, it means its leader is also foolish,” Barrow told supporters. “But I want to remind him that when he was in prison and praying for his life, I was the one who led the campaign that defeated Jammeh and got him released.”
The President recalled a personal encounter following Darboe’s release from jail in 2016, claiming the veteran opposition leader had then compared him to Prophet Musa for his role in ending Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year rule.
“I ejected him from prison he called me Prophet Musa because he thought the crocodiles would eat him,” Barrow said. “I also called him Nelson Mandela. But today, he says I am Pharaoh. How can that be possible?”
Barrow said no one had done more for Darboe than he had, insisting that the UDP’s continued relevance in Gambian politics stems from his efforts. “If you see people saying UDP all over, it is because of President Adama Barrow. My party is not a foolish political party,” he declared.
The President went on to defend his administration’s record, citing key infrastructure and development projects as proof of competence. He highlighted road construction from Keleng village to Bush Town, extending to Darboe’s home village of Naini Dobo, as well as the extension of electricity to several rural communities.
Barrow also spoke about education challenges in Darboe’s home area, saying the village’s only school was overcrowded and poorly equipped. “They have a three-classroom school with about four hundred students in each class. From grade one to nine, they only have three classrooms,” he said.
To address the issue, Barrow revealed that he had personally reached out to the MRC Holland Foundation to fund the construction of nine new classrooms. “I signed the contract with my so-called foolish government,” he added, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Barrow concluded his remarks by saying his actions were not motivated by political rivalry but by a sense of duty and respect. “Knowing he is the Khalifa of Dobo, I want his prayers and to enhance education in his community,” he said.
