In bold and unexpected revelations, Baboucarr Bob Keita has shared a tense and deeply personal phone exchange he had with President Adama Barrow following his televised interview with journalist Fatu Camara last year. The startling disclosure comes few hours after Keita’s release from police detention, raising new questions about political tolerance and leadership accountability in The Gambia.
Keita, a youth activist and social commentator, made headlines last year when he appeared on The Fatu Network and openly expressed that President Barrow should not seek a third term in office. According to Keita, this led to a direct and fiery conversation between him and the president himself.
In a passage he says will be featured in his upcoming book, “My Story,” Keita recounted the exchange:
President Barrow: “Bob, why would you go on TV and say I should not run for third term?”
Keita: “That’s my opinion and I believe it’s the right thing to do.”
President Barrow: “Bob, you are too small and young to tell me what to do.”
Keita: “Ok.”
President Barrow: “You want to be like Ousmane Sonko of Senegal and that’s why he will never be president — because he’s rude and arrogant. And if you are not careful, I will lock you up.”
Keita: “Ok.”
President Barrow: “It’s like you lack home training from your parents.”
Keita said he was incensed by the personal insult, prompting him to stand his ground before the call was abruptly cut off.
The revelation has sparked a storm of reaction across social media, with supporters praising Keita’s courage and critics questioning the appropriateness of such a confrontation.
Political analysts say this exchange underscores growing tensions between the country’s youthful population and an administration many feel is veering toward authoritarianism.
Keita, who has faced multiple legal battles in recent years, says the phone call and subsequent threats were part of a broader attempt to silence dissenting voices. “This is why I must tell my story. The people need to know what’s really happening behind the scenes,” he said in a brief statement.
JollofNews has reached out to the Office of the President for comment but has not received a response at the time of publication.
Keita’s upcoming memoir promises to delve deeper into his political activism, legal ordeals, and his vision for a more accountable Gambia. As the nation inches closer to another election cycle, voices like his may continue to shape the political narrative — no matter how uncomfortable it becomes for those in power.
