By: Fatou Krubally
Presidential adviser Momodou Sabally has accused opposition leader Essa Mbye Faal of hypocrisy, political opportunism, and prioritizing foreign interests over Gambia’s development.
In a strongly-worded statement seen by this medium, Sabally took issue with Faal’s absence from The Gambia during the Ramadan fasting period, only for him to resurface with a political message on the day of Koriteh celebrations.
“Wai Essa yow daal, nee rek! (Oh, Essa you’re just like this). It’s always on the day of the feast that you show up, but not when the hard work is being done,” Sabally chastised Faal, challenging the Sobeya leader’s commitment to supporting the needy during the holy month of Ramadan.
Former secretary-general and head of the civil service under Jammeh also criticized Faal’s financial and personal decisions, accusing him of favoring foreign investments and interests over the welfare of Gambians.
“A man who lacks trust and love for his own country chooses to marry across the border and invests all his money there. You took your funds abroad to create jobs for their youth while Gambians continue to struggle. And now you want them to vote for you?” Sabally wondered.
Sabally didn’t hold back in criticizing Faal’s political rise, claiming he used the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) as a stepping stone for his personal political ambitions.
“As President Barrow and his team work to improve governance and accountability through commissions like the TRRC, you, Essa Faal, chose to dishonor and misuse that platform. You turned it into a personal political campaign, undermining the credibility of our transitional justice process,” he charged.
He also accused Faal of benefiting from political favoritism rather than merit, pointing to his appointment to the TRRC.
“We all know how you got the TRRC job. It wasn’t through a competitive, meritocratic process, but through backdoor deals. And now, it’s clear that you were lacking in accountability and integrity during your time in that office,” Sabally exclaimed.
He, however, advised Essa Faal to focus on his international legal career which, he suggested, would be more fitting for him than engaging in what, he called, “cheap propaganda” to sway Gambian voters.
“Go back to your perennial hustle on the fringes of the UN court system, defending those accused of heinous crimes against humanity. Let us be, because the youths are too happy to be distracted,” Sabally concluded.