𝐍𝐔𝐏 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐉. 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐧𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐜𝐡, 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐝𝐚

National Unity Party (NUP) Party Leader, Secretary General and Standard Bearer Dr. Lamin J. Darbo has condemned what he described as “reckless” and divisive remarks made by Imam Daaru Sanyang in an audio recording currently circulating on social media.

In a solidarity statement dated 27 August 2026, Dr. Darbo said he had taken note of an audio recording attributed to Imam Sanyang in which the imam allegedly called on Kanifing Municipal Council Lord Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda, who is also Party Leader of the UNITE Party, to “join the army and lead a coup to become president.”

Dr. Darbo also condemned an alleged reference in the recording to Gambians not electing a “Narr,” describing the remarks as an attack on democratic values, peaceful coexistence and the dignity of Gambian citizens.

“I condemn these statements in the strongest and most unequivocal terms,” Dr. Darbo said, arguing that such remarks have no place in a democratic society.

The NUP leader expressed his “absolute and unwavering solidarity” with Mayor Bensouda, saying the mayor’s public service and leadership of the Kanifing Municipal Council should not make him a target of intimidation, bigotry or persecution.

Dr. Darbo used the statement to call for an end to what he described as the politics of insults, tribalism and religious provocation.

He urged Gambians to focus political debate on issues affecting citizens, including the cost of living, youth employment, access to clean drinking water, healthcare, education, accountability, transparency and good governance.

“The presidency, and every office of public trust in The Gambia, shall be determined by one principle alone - the sovereign will of the Gambian people, freely expressed at the ballot box, and protected by our Constitution and the rule of law,” he stated.

Dr. Darbo further warned against using ethnicity as a political weapon, stressing that The Gambia belongs to all its citizens regardless of ethnic background.

“Our diversity is not our weakness. It is our greatest strength,” he said.

He concluded by appealing to Gambian youths and citizens of goodwill to remain calm and resolute and to channel their energy towards building a country founded on peace, justice, opportunity and national unity.

Gunjur Online notes that the remarks attributed to Imam Daaru Sanyang are contained in an audio recording in circulation which this medium has not listened to and have not been independently verified by this publication.