Banjul, The Gambia - October 1st, 2026- Elections are an important part of democracy. They allow citizens to make their choices, hold leaders accountable and shape the direction of their country. But political competition should never come at the expense of our dignity, unity and relationships that hold our communities together.
As The Gambia enters another electoral cycle with the Presidential elections set to take place on 5th December 2026, we urge all Gambians to reject hate speech, tribal sentiments, incitements, misinformation and messages that seek to divide us. Politicians, political parties, women, young people, religious and traditional leaders, the media, civil society and every citizen as voters have a part to play in keeping our political discourse mature, respectful, accountable and responsible.
Word matters. A sloppy statement, inflammatory speech or divisive social media post can quickly create tension and deepen division. The same platform can, however, encourage understanding, tolerance, and constructive dialogue at all times.