Tunkara Refutes Sanyang’s Remarks on April 14 Protest

Lamin A. Tunkara has strongly refuted recent comments made by Mr. Abdoulie Sanyang during an interview with West Coast Radio, describing them as “egregious, reckless, and a deliberate distortion of facts.” Mr. Tunkara said the remarks falsely implicated him in the events of April 14, 2016, when Gambians staged a peaceful demonstration demanding electoral reform and addressing the Senegalo-Gambia border impasse.

“The protest involved citizens—including my own brothers—who were exercising their constitutional rights in a peaceful and democratic manner,” Tunkara stated. “To suggest that I played any role in instigating harm is not only false but an insult to the sacrifices of those who stood for justice.” He emphasized that his role at the time, like that of many others, was solely focused on uniting Gambians in the pursuit of democratic change. “My involvement in national affairs has always been guided by principles of justice, fairness, and transparency,” he noted. Tunkara further accused Mr. Sanyang of politicizing a sensitive moment in the country’s history. “Unlike Mr. Sanyang, I have always stood for the values that underpin a free and democratic society,” he said. Reflecting on the events of 2016, he expressed pride in his contribution, alongside thousands of Gambians and international partners, who acted “out of conviction and ism.” He added: “Some paid a heavier price than others, but all did so in the service of The Gambia.” Now serving in government, Tunkara reaffirmed his commitment to the country’s leadership and development. He urged Sanyang to exercise “greater caution and responsibility” in his public statements, warning against “using subterfuge to court relevance.” “As a nation, we must move forward not by tearing each other down, but by building on the sacrifices, hard work, and progress that brought us this far,” Tunkara concluded.