The Fulbe Africa Organization has issued a strongly worded statement condemning comments made by the Minister for Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs, Hon. Hamat NK Bah, during a recent meeting with Banjul Muslim Elders at the State House in Banjul.
During the March 30th gathering, Hon. Bah reportedly attributed regional violence and jihadist activities to livestock herdsmen, an allegation the organization has labelled as “false, misleading, and dangerous”.
“Hon. Hamat Bah made a dangerous statement attributing livestock herdsmen to the cause of violence and jihadist attacks within the sub-region,” the organization stated. “This statement is not only false and irresponsible to have come from a state minister, but it is a statement capable of negatively stereotyping decent herdsmen/Fulbe people in The Gambia and West Africa at large.”
The Fulbe Africa Organization emphasised that the remarks by the minister are not grounded in any credible intelligence or evidence and risk inciting discrimination and resentment towards Fulbe communities across the country.
“It is our belief that when leaders speak, they should inspire hope and not cause uncertainty and despair within the country,” the statement added.
Long known for their pastoral lifestyle, Fulɓe herdsmen have historically contributed to The Gambia’s economy and food security through livestock husbandry. The group expressed concern that such unfounded allegations not only misrepresent their role in society but also endanger peaceful cohabitation among ethnic groups.
“Fulbe people are known to be peaceful and law-abiding while they continue to live in peaceful cohabitation within themselves and with other ethnic groups,” the organization stated.
The statement also drew attention to the ongoing challenges herdsmen face due to shrinking grazing lands, which the group described as a growing national concern. They however called on the Ministry of Lands and other relevant authorities to take action.
“Land available to livestock grazing is diminishing rapidly, leaving hundreds of thousands of cattle and small ruminants in starvation and death. We therefore call on the ministry to designate grazing lands all over the country to ease tension between different land users,” the statement added.
The organization concluded its release with a firm call for accountability and further demanded a public retraction and apology from Minister Bah.
“We condemn in totality the statement made by Hon. Hamat NK Bah and call for every peace-loving individual to do the same. Fulbe Africa Organization calls for the Hon. Minister to withdraw his dangerous statement and offer a public apology for his utterly false, misleading, and disappointing message against hardworking Gambians,” the release further stated.
The statement has already sparked responses across social platforms and among civil society groups, many of whom are awaiting an official response from the government.
