Alagi Yorro Jallow
Fatoumatta: Every nation deserves a leader who epitomizes progress, accountability, and unwavering commitment to the people’s welfare. The Gambia, a country brimming with cultural richness and potential, stands at a critical juncture, questioning the true nature of its leadership. President Adama Barrow, once heralded as a transformative figure, is now entangled by the very forces he pledged to dismantle. This essay scrutinizes the troubling state of governance under President Barrow, identifying the factors that are clearly holding him hostage and the urgent implications for The Gambia’s future. “It is no use saying, ‘We are doing our best.’ You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.” It is high time President Adama Barrow understands the weight of this statement by Sir Winston Churchill. Everywhere we look, we encounter pain, poverty, bitterness, and despair. Yet, the individual tasked with remedying these issues seems more interested in whining, dawdling, and exhibiting indifference.
President Barrow has boldly declared his intention to run for a third term in the 2026 presidential elections, flaunting his confidence of victory. He claims he isn’t rushing and stands unafraid of accountability, asserting he will avoid the mistakes of his predecessors. However, it is glaringly evident that President Adama Barrow is “locked up” in the Statehouse, utterly disconnected from the people he serves. He enjoys a life of comfort while his constituents grapple with hardship. His lethargy is celebrated, but in a race, slowness equates to failure, and the likelihood of him winning in 2026 is increasingly doubtful. Basic life lessons teach us to be efficient and timely in our actions; this is crucial in leadership. The issues plaguing our nation starkly contradict the principles of accountability and good governance.
Timeliness and decisiveness are non-negotiable if we expect our independent institutions to operate effectively. Responsibilities come with authority, yet the inefficiency displayed by the police and judiciary is unacceptable. Their actions are seemingly reactive to social media rather than guided by constitutional mandates. We have witnessed the unjust removal of the late former Commander of the Anti-Crime Unit, Gorgui Mboob, due to the whims of social media activists. Recently, the police failed to address the inflammatory remarks made by NPP loyalist Bahoum against an entire community, displaying a dangerous disregard for due process.
Furthermore, a police officer, who should remain apolitical, is defiantly challenging authority, seemingly at the behest of opposition figures and social media critics, all while avoiding the necessary disciplinary actions as per the Gambia Police Force’s Code of Conduct. Recent reports suggest that President Barrow, Ousainou Darboe of the UDP, and Dr. Chambass of the African Union conducted closed-door meetings regarding the draft constitution, all without transparency or the involvement of other political leaders. Why was only UDP leader Darboe present for such a critical discussion? This raises serious questions about who is truly holding the President hostage. President Barrow has made several significant assertions, including the claim that his party leaders are “closer to the people” than he is. With these glaring disconnections, we must ask: why would he allow discussions laden with ethnicity, regionalism, and vulgarity to proliferate? The politicization and tribalization of independent institutions must be firmly challenged.
Fatoumatta: Do the President’s actions not resemble those of a hostage seeking liberation? Is he a hostage to certain situations, shadowy entities, or detrimental fears? This cannot continue. As George Kohlrieser, a psychologist and hostage negotiator, provocatively questions, “Are you being held hostage without knowing it?” If a leader remains oblivious to the fact that he is a hostage to power and influential interests, then the path to freeing him will be arduous. The one who is asleep needs to be roused. Unfortunately, our President appears aware of his captivity and seems complacent in it, suggesting a concerning acceptance of his predicament. It is imperative that we find a way to help him—and ourselves—break free from this cycle. The President of The Gambia wields formidable power, and he should be the one placing his “captors” in check. Instead, he has become the very embodiment of being “held hostage” to the detriment of the nation. Our laws designate that the President’s actions and inactions significantly impact the well-being of all citizens, and he must recognize the urgency of swift, decisive leadership. The question remains: what does it signify for a leader to be effectively in captivity? We must prioritize the avoidance of this hostage situation and advocate for survival, not just for the President, but for the well-being of all Gambians.
Darryle Pollack, a well-known American author and cancer activist, was just 14 years old when she unknowingly sat next to the world’s fastest human on a plane in 1964. Captivated by the man, she asked for his name, and he replied, “Bob Hayes.” Pollack, however, shook her head and said, “Sorry, never heard of you.” The next morning, Bob Hayes’ photo appeared on the front page of the Miami Herald as the gold medalist in the 100-meter dash at the Olympics. Pollack later regretted not asking for an autograph, calling herself the “world’s slowest woman” for not recognizing greatness when she was seated next to it.
Fatoumatta: I often wonder about the missed opportunities Adama Barrow has had in nearly ten years to uplift The Gambia. I also think about what kind of books some people read while growing up. In primary school, there was a story about a wealthy man whose son was quite slow. Despite the father’s efforts to help him succeed, he remained unchanging, and the father died, leaving all his riches to his only son, who by then lived abroad. The slow son learned of his father’s death but, accustomed to his leisurely pace, took his time to return home, believing the world would wait for him. When he finally arrived, no one was there to mourn with him, and his inheritance was gone forever. Heartbroken, he realized it was too late. Friends of slow individuals often share the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare, insisting that “slow and steady wins the race.” Yet, they fail to mention the consequences when the slow one is also unsteady. In that race, the improbable happened: the slow Tortoise won only because the swift Hare, in his arrogance, underestimated his opponent.
The story tells us that proud Hare “lies down halfway through and goes to sleep,” while Tortoise, despite being slow, remained focused and persistent. As Tortoise plodded along, he eventually passed the sleeping Hare and crossed the finish line first. At his current pace, Adama Barrow cannot win any race or score any goals. If he does score, it may only be an own goal. His nearly ten years in office have been marked by indecisiveness, leading to significant costs in homes and workplaces. Jobs are being lost in corporate settings, and lives are tragically lost daily to rampant crime and a lack of discipline within the police force. This drift persists due to the absence of clear directives from those in power. Toxic rhetoric fills the air, and unfit trialists and populist politicians create an atmosphere of uncertainty. The reaction from the public, fueled by social media, often keeps security forces on edge. The world watches and shakes its head.
How can a country be so blessed yet so cursed? The Gambia is a challenging nation to govern, regardless of who is president. It boasts Africa’s largest “Smiling Coast,” yet its progress has always been hindered by political divisions, ethnic rivalries, militancy, theft, and corruption. These issues necessitate leaders who understand the pace at which the world is moving. The world is not slowing down, nor is it waiting for any sleeping giant. The race toward progress and prosperity combines elements of both sprinting and endurance. Slow and ineffective leaders cannot keep up.
President Barrow, an Arsenal fan, embodies slowness and failure. He has declared his intention to run for a third term, hoping to win in 2026, much like his team that has been struggling to win trophies for years. Although Barrow is no longer inexperienced, he seems trapped in a “go-slow” mentality, celebrating it like a typical Arsenal fan. He continues to waver when decisiveness is required, remaining ensnared by the complexities of power. The Gambia cannot achieve greatness while remaining under the influence of outdated leadership. What it needs are individuals with clear vision and strong resolve. No leader should feel detained in the Statehouse or believe that they don’t need to act quickly and intelligently. Leaders should not view their humility and compassion as limitations. Ineffective leadership only exacerbates the issues plaguing our politics, economy, and the well-being of our people. We can no longer afford to have slow leaders in charge.
Fatoumatta: In conclusion, the future of The Gambia absolutely depends on its leaders overcoming the challenges of indecision and inaction. President Adama Barrow’s administration has been marked by missed opportunities and an alarming disconnect from the citizens he was elected to serve. As the nation gears up for the 2026 elections, the electorate must demand a leadership that is not only swift and decisive but also unwavering in its commitment to accountability and good governance. The Gambia deserves a leader who will break free from complacency and confidently steer the nation towards a brighter and more prosperous future.
