The National People’s Party (NPP) plans to publicly apply for a permit to hold peaceful demonstrations in support of democracy in The Gambia, according to Hon. Ebrima Sillah, Minister of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure.
Minister Sillah underlined that the NPP is still dedicated to maintaining peace and national stability while restating citizens’ constitutional right to demonstrate.
According to Sillah, “only people who live in this country will vote—all the noise on social media won’t influence the outcome of elections.” “While some people use protests to incite violence, NPP youths will also take to the streets to show solidarity and defend our democracy, not to stir up trouble.”
He emphasized that the NPP will apply for the required permits and that any planned demonstration would be carried out within the legal parameters.
“We want to make it clear that the streets do not belong to any particular group. Anyone who believes they can manipulate young people to incite chaos is only fooling themselves. We are committed to defending both the government and the democratic values of this country,” he stated.
While acknowledging that the right to peaceful protest is guaranteed by the constitution, he issued a warning that any protests that cause chaos will be handled in accordance with the law.
“We fought alongside President Barrow for 22 years to ensure democracy prevails in The Gambia. If anyone believes they can sit on the sidelines and undermine that democracy by mobilizing people to cause instability, they should understand—no one owns the streets,” he added.
Small groups were advised by Minister Sillah not to agitate or threaten larger gatherings. “If the greater group doesn’t say anything, it’s because we’re following the law,” he clarified. Our president leads in a calm manner. Today’s radio noisemakers, who pose as intellectuals, were once employed by international organizations and profited for 22 years without once criticizing Yahya Jammeh’s government, his cruelty, or the murders that took place. They assert that they will either succeed or fail in their attempt to seize power in 2026, despite their claims to be champions of democracy.
The minister urged Gambians to avoid deceiving one another, stressing that polite discussion within the bounds of the law is what democracy is all about.
“To resort to insulting people—our elders and parents—is unacceptable. That is why we enacted legislation making it an offense to insult the president or any government official, with legal consequences for violations. This country is governed by law, and we must all respect it. In elections, the winner should govern and focus on national development. Threats to storm the State House regardless of the election outcome are simply political posturing, and I pray such actions do not come to pass,” he stated.
In 2026, the Works Minister urged the people of Wulingkama, Tranquil, Brusubi, Sukuta, and Brufut to stand for President Adama Barrow and embrace one another.
“We are neighbors here, we are the same one people, right now you all have seen the ongoing work happening in Brufut. Sabiji, Kerr Serign and the surrounding area. The development that has taken place is being seen there. Serrekunda and inside the Kombos up to the rural area the work done there is being seen. That same work should continue. So president barrow should win in 2026. People who are sitting doing nothing, will wake up in the morning, drink their tea and eat their bread then go to the internet and start making noise. Can you compare that to people working, helping the masses, operating our finances in a way that the constitution dictates, how can you have equal salary with those people, that’s impossible,” Sillah stated.
Sillah urged National People’s Party (NPP) members to stand together, show bravery, and shun fear.
“NPP members, I ask you—if not President Barrow, then who else deserves to lead? Let us be courageous and stand together. Our peace, and that of the country, depends on the strength of the NPP,” Sillah urged. He cautioned against the rhetoric from other political parties that, despite lacking power, promise punitive actions against political figures if elected. “These parties have yet to assume power, yet they threaten to imprison individuals or deport them. But if they do come to power, what exactly will they do?” he asked.
President Barrow, according to Sillah, is the only political figure with a true vision for The Gambia who is not stained by resentment or tribalism. He is fair to all. We support him because of his behavior and character. The nation has seen unparalleled infrastructure development under his direction—achievements not seen in the previous fifty years.
He underlined that the goal of President Barrow’s first term was to serve the people and gain their confidence. In addition, those five years were a time of reconciliation after a period of upheaval and loss. Except for those who refuse to acknowledge this fact, we are united today in response to the president’s call for unity in order to restore the country.
Sillah emphasized that the same groups that opposed them in 2021 are now opposing them again. Some have vowed to confront us at the State House and stated they won’t wait for the official findings. But as the 2026 elections get near, the public has seen the president’s real progress in every area, whether it is in healthcare, infrastructure, power, or agricultural initiatives. Until 2026, these sustainable development initiatives will persist.
He also pleaded for Gambians to ignore protests against President Adama Barrow’s bid for a third term. “Anyone who says President Barrow won’t run is lying to themselves. We are confident that our candidate is prepared to run and, with God’s help, win.
