The political temperature in Foni climbed over the weekend as Jerending Sanyang, General Mobiliser of the APRC “No to Alliance” faction, launched a blistering attack on Agriculture Minister Demba Sabally during a large community clean-up exercise in Kanilai.
The clean-up took place at the residence of exiled former President Yahya Jammeh, a site that continues to draw loyal supporters despite his years in Equatorial Guinea. The turnout signaled the strength of Jammeh’s base in Foni and renewed expectations over his long-discussed return.
Sanyang used the gathering to target Minister Sabally, questioning his ties to the region and insisting that he holds no real footing in Foni. He accused the Minister of attempting to insert himself into a community that, in Sanyang’s view, does not accept him.
“Tell Demba Sabally that in Foni he has no space,” Sanyang said, drawing cheers from the crowd. He went on to mock the Minister’s claims of belonging, adding that his family’s presence in the area was limited and imposed.
Emboldened by the reaction, Sanyang went further, challenging Sabally directly and citing Jammeh as a figure whose influence still looms large in the region. He told supporters that even on his own he would be willing to face the Minister “at his compound,” suggesting that Jammeh’s involvement would make the challenge even more decisive.
The remarks lit up the gathering, with supporters applauding throughout. Sanyang later warned that members of the APRC “No to Alliance” faction would not sit quietly in the face of comments from government officials that they view as provocative. He said the group was prepared to respond in equal measure and would no longer accept what he described as political intimidation.
The Kanilai event, and the fiery speech that defined it, shows how active Jammeh’s loyalists remain as speculation grows about his possible return. It also highlights the widening political divide in Foni, where loyalties to the former president continue to shape local and national dynamics.
Sanyang’s outburst against a sitting cabinet minister adds a new layer to the tensions. With both sides trading public shots in recent months, the incident suggests that the political rift is deepening as supporters brace for whatever comes next in the ongoing debate over Jammeh’s future.
