Opinion: Against Misguided Praise for Ousainou Darboe

By Balang Sisay

A Call to Accountability: Standing Firm It is both disheartening and infuriating to witness yet another attempt to mislead the Gambian populace, this time by an 80-year-old figure who seems unable to discern the line between morality and the legal consequences of his actions. The recent post by Lamin Sabally, which vainly glorifies Ousainou Darboe’s appearance on Menbe Kereng, is not only misguided but also an outright insult to the intelligence of the Gambian people. For Lamin Sabally, it is a shame to see you perpetually writing such nonsense about the UDP and its leader. You now have the audacity to express your opinions, yet when Yahya Jammeh was in power, you were among the journalists who melted down as if you never existed. You should be ashamed to raise your head. Ousainou Darboe has long been ensnared by the very consequences of his own actions—decisions rooted in self-interest, political deception, and manipulation that have marred his career. Rather than owning up to his past missteps, he resorts to twisting the narrative, a tactic unbecoming of any leader worthy of respect. While it’s true that Gambians are a forgiving people, we are not naive. We refuse to overlook a man who has repeatedly demonstrated untrustworthiness. His role in the disintegration of the coalition, the exclusion of principled leaders like Halifa Sallah and Seedia Jatta from President Barrow’s cabinet, and his involvement in the dubious Banjul 9 ambassadorial appointments are all matters we cannot forget. Now, he stands on a national platform, attempting to rewrite history and evade accountability. We must not let this happen. Gambians deserve the truth, not a sanitized version of events shaped by a politician desperately clinging to his legacy. To the producers and host of Menbe Kereng, a program that commands respect nationwide, I implore you to remain impartial. Ask the tough questions that hold leaders accountable. Do not allow Darboe to undermine our collective memory or intelligence with empty platitudes. Gambians are vigilant. We are engaged, and we demand integrity from those who seek to lead us. The time for superficial narratives and evasive rhetoric is over—let us stand firm in our pursuit of accountability and transparency. The future of our nation depends on it.