Thursday, April 10, 2025

Dangers Of Alh. Mustapha Sillah’s Rhetoric Tribal Sermons

A Divisive Voice in Gambian Politics: Why Mustapha Sillah’s Rhetoric is Dangerous.
By Alagi Yorro Jallow Fatoumatta: The Gambia’s evolving democracy is a hard-won achievement, a beacon of resilience and progress forged through collective sacrifice and determination. But democracy, though liberating, also opens its doors to the wolves in sheep's clothing—individuals who exploit freedom not for the greater good, but to further their own divisive agendas. It is disheartening to see the toxic rhetoric of tribalism and extremism creeping into our national discourse, led by figures like Alhaji Mustapha Sillah, whose words seek to divide where we most need unity. If The Gambia is ever to fail as a state, it will be because of individuals like Mustapha Sillah and others who perpetuate tribal bigotry and religious extremism. These divisive figures thrive on sowing seeds of hatred in an already fractured nation desperately in need of healing. Yet, instead of being condemned, Sillah is applauded by
some, given platforms in the media to further his toxic rhetoric, and allowed to deepen the cracks in our fragile unity. Fatoumatta: Nobody can deceive us with ethnicity, tribalism, or religious sentiments. In The Gambia, "patriotism" often takes on an ethnic, religious, or regional identity. When a leader shares your primordial characteristics—be it tribe, religion, or region—"patriotism" becomes a convenient shield, and holding that leader accountable is labeled "treason." But when the leader belongs to the "other" side of the divide, everything is reversed. Criticism becomes a duty, and patriotism is discarded. Mark Twain was right when he said, "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." If your "patriotism" is situational, driven only by the affinities you share with a leader, then you are, to borrow from Twain, a "scoundrel." True patriotism transcends tribal, religious, and regional lines—it is rooted in the collective good of the nation. Fatoumatta: We live in a dangerous time, threatened by ethnic, religious, regional, and partisan absurdities. These divisions are not just petty; they are perilous. As one of my professors once hyperbolically described, we risk becoming a nation mentally shackled by these primitive divides. It is time to rise above this silliness and reject the rhetoric of those who seek to exploit our differences for their own gain. Sillah’s audacity to meddle in Gambian politics is as troubling as it is hypocritical. Where was this so-called preacher during Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year reign of terror? When Jammeh persecuted religious leaders, exiled imams, and silenced dissent with brutal force, Sillah remained conspicuously silent. He lacked the courage to speak out against Jammeh’s long stay in power or the atrocities committed under his regime. Yet today, in a democratic Gambia, Sillah finds his voice—not to promote unity or progress, but to attack President Adama Barrow’s leadership and stir tribal tensions. Sillah’s recent remarks are not only divisive but deeply xenophobic. Why should a non-Gambian preacher, with no stake in our nation’s future, feel entitled to dictate our political discourse? His inflammatory rhetoric, blending religion with politics, serves only to incite contempt among Gambians and their leaders. It is a dangerous game, one that exploits the vulnerabilities of our democracy for the benefit of his political paymasters. Fatoumatta: In an interview on VM La Kacha Dula, Sillah accused President Barrow of failing to honor his commitment to step down after three years in office. He claimed Barrow is deceiving the Gambian people by positioning himself for re-election, despite the absence of a constitutional term limit. While Sillah’s critique of Barrow’s leadership may resonate with some, his selective outrage reveals a glaring double standard. Why did he not hold Jammeh to the same standard? Why does he now feel emboldened to attack a democratically elected leader while remaining silent during decades of tyranny? Sillah’s hypocrisy extends beyond his political commentary. As an extreme conservative, he has wielded his sharp tongue to attack various tribes, including his own, targeting individuals and communities without drawing upon the divine teachings he claims to represent. His words are not those of a unifier or a spiritual guide—they are the tools of a provocateur, intent on deepening divisions for personal and political gain.
The Gambia’s democracy is still young, and its strength lies in its ability to foster unity amidst diversity. Politicians who exploit religious leaders like Sillah to wage their battles must be held accountable. Blending religion with politics, especially through unchecked incendiary remarks, undermines the progress we have fought so hard to achieve. Fatoumatta: As Gambians, we must reject the toxic tribalism and xenophobia that figures like Mustapha Sillah promote. Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours to nurture and protect. We cannot allow outsiders with divisive agendas to derail our progress. Instead, we must focus on building a nation where dialogue is constructive, criticism is fair, and unity is paramount. The Gambia’s strength lies in its people—diverse, resilient, and united in their shared aspirations for a better future. Let us not be swayed by those who seek to exploit our differences for their own gain. Instead, let us rise above the rhetoric of division and work together to safeguard the democracy we have fought so hard to achieve.

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