Gambia’s Interior Minister, Abdoulie Sanyang, has defended the police’s handling of inflammatory political statements, saying authorities cannot arrest every politician who makes divisive remarks and are instead prioritising dialogue and engagement to prevent tensions ahead of the 2026–2027 electoral cycle.
Addressing the National Assembly on Wednesday, Mr. Sanyang said the police were engaging political parties, candidates and community leaders to discourage tribalism and other forms of rhetoric that could undermine national cohesion.
He acknowledged that politicians across the political spectrum had made inappropriate statements, saying: “In the right or the left or the centre, all of them are saying things that they should not have said.”
His comments followed concerns raised by a lawmaker over the police’s failure to take action against the Minister of Lands and Regional Affairs over an alleged discriminatory remark in which an individual was reportedly referred to as Lebanese.
Responding, Mr. Sanyang said the police were adopting a preventive approach through community policing, public education and direct engagement with political leaders, rather than relying solely on arrests.
He argued that taking enforcement action during election campaigns could sometimes heighten political tensions, particularly when party leaders have limited control over the conduct of their supporters.
“There are things that the police try to avoid, not to create unnecessary tension,” he said.
“The objective of community policing is not only to arrest. If you can do things otherwise to make sure those things are reduced, you go ahead,” he added.
Mr. Sanyang maintained that the police would continue working with political parties and communities to promote peaceful campaigning, discourage inflammatory statements and ensure that the law is upheld throughout the electoral period.
