Fatoumatta: It has become common to hear Gambians refer to their homeland in harsh terms, declaring it beyond redemption. Likewise, it’s frequent to witness many Gambians, justifiably upset with the state of our nation, criticize their compatriots for not being ready for the necessary revolutionary and progressive changes, branding those not protesting in the streets against “the unjust system” as “slaves” and “cowards.” As the 2026 Presidential elections draw near, I urge my fellow Gambians, particularly those active on social media, to recognize that we cannot provoke Gambians from inaction to action through insults, nor can we malign our nation into self-improvement and redemption.
Anyone involved in the popular struggles for change or who has studied the history of revolutions should know that people, the beneficiaries of societal reordering, cannot be swayed by insults, blackmail, or intimidation. They are persuaded to support progressive changes through dialogue, political education, and positive reinforcement, a process known as “mobilization.”
Statements like “The Gambia is a useless country; I have tuned out from the Gambia, I don’t care about or pray for the Gambia anymore, only for myself and my loved ones; Gambians are cowards; Gambians are useless; Gambians can’t fight for justice, freedom, and liberty; Gambians are ignorant; Gambians are enslaved,” etc., will not lead to the desired changes in our economy, politics, and society.
Historically, the anti-colonial struggle in the Gambia was not successful because nationalists insulted Gambians into joining the decolonization effort.
Military despotism did not end in the Gambia because “cowardly Gambians” were bullied into the anti-military struggle by impatient and invective-spewing pro-democracy activists.
Under current conditions, those committed to societal renewal must learn to properly engage with the populace. We must sit with the people, listen to them, learn from them, converse with them, and educate them. Humility is required, not arrogance, even when the nation’s recovery is an urgent task. We must organize without demonizing our people. Assuming we can command them into action for societal change shows the same oppressive traits we condemn in our national discourse.
Revolutionary changes necessitate revolutionary evangelism. Employing insults against political leaders, republicans, independent institutions, responsible government officials, and religious and traditional community leaders has become a strategic tool in politics. The recent confrontations between politicians and activists, amidst political expression and rivalry, highlight the significant role insults now play in public discourse. Insults directed at political opponents and leaders are increasingly voiced and utilized unrestrainedly. Influencers use strong language as a stepping stone to expand their audience and gain visibility. This trend reflects a performative use of insult within the Gambian public sphere, particularly in politics, to amplify its impact. The deliberate use of insults serves specific purposes, and its practitioners are acutely aware of this.
The notion prevails that the greater the outrage, the more attention it garners. The current use of insults in Gambian politics echoes the approach of Henri Rochefort, founder of the newspaper L’Intransigeant, who, in the late 19th century, utilized insults to disrupt the political theater and challenge the established order. Over a century later, a similar pattern of populist tactics, characterized by extreme acts and verbal abuses, was adopted by Donald Trump to disrupt the American political establishment. This mirrors the actions of political figures who position themselves as anti-establishment and advocate for a departure from conventional norms. Their supporters, an army of insulters, pursue an agenda aimed at challenging authority.
For instance, a figure like Ousmane Sonko could not have emerged in politics without the presence of insults, outrageous language, and irreverence, which signal a new paradigm in public discourse characterized by verbal battles and the exchange of vitriolic remarks. His 2018 “Sermon to the Press,” where he openly ridiculed artist Youssou Ndour, exemplifies how, in today’s age of media saturation, political incorrectness has become fashionable. We crave witty, simplistic sound bites that discourage deep thinking. Combined with humor, this completes the picture. In a realm governed by norms and organizations that demand basic interpersonal skills and decorum, insults enable one to effortlessly adopt a counter-discourse stance, to appear as a liberated voice against the status quo, as an ardent rebel, or simply as a “bagnkatt.” Thus, it’s not surprising that the most prolific insulters in our public discourse are often revered as “heroes” for breaking taboos. Once one savors the benefits it brings, it’s difficult to abandon such inflammatory rhetoric.
The days of somewhat spicy exchanges between officials, as seen in parliament among members and in partisan politics during the PPP era, are over. Today’s era disregards all decorum. Insults have become a staple in Gambian politics, elevating the insulter. They confer a sense of superiority, cloaked in pretense and assumed authority. They deny the opponent any semblance of a fair relationship, stripping or dispossessing them as effectively as possible. The insulter positions themselves well above the mediocrity they attribute to their rival, pinning all faults onto them.
The magnification effect caused by people’s shock at verbal assaults and their widespread repetition does the rest. Insults also stifle opposing viewpoints in Gambian political discourse. When arguments fail, resorting to insults becomes the easier path.
Fatoumata: The employment of insults by politicians, self-proclaimed activists, and individuals on social media often serves specific goals and follows a distinct methodology. The damage inflicted by seeking advantage through insult will ultimately undermine the formal codes, etiquette, and rules of decorum that govern civilized public discourse. When individuals in prominent positions engage in such behavior, it leads to the normalization and widespread use of insults. It is often argued that verbal violence foreshadows physical violence, although one hopes this is not the case.
