Mr. Baboucarr Nyang was removed from his position as alkalo of Nyangen village by the Office of the Governor of the Central River Region, according to a letter issued on May 20, 2026. This administrative action, which stripped Mr. Nyang of his traditional leadership role, has ignited significant controversy. The official communication from the Office of the Governor of the Central River Region, dated May 20, 2026, explicitly stated that Mr. Nyang's removal was due to his alleged non-residency in Nyangen. This reason for removal cited Section 143(1)(b) of the Local Government Act 2002, a specific legal provision which requires an alkalo to reside within the community they serve to legitimately hold their office. The application of this section has become a central point of contention in the ongoing debate surrounding the alkalo's dismissal.
Challenging the Official Narrative
The article asserts that the rationale provided for Alkalo Baboucarr Nyang's removal is not only inaccurate but also deeply disrespectful to the intelligence of Gambians. This claim directly challenges the official statement from the Office of the Governor of the Central River Region, which cited non-residency as the basis for his dismissal. The official narrative relies on Section 143(1)(b) of the Local Government Act 2002, a provision stipulating that an alkalo must reside within their community. The publication contests the application of this specific legal ground to Mr. Nyang's situation, suggesting that the stated reason does not align with the facts on the ground. It argues that presenting such a reason, when easily verifiable facts contradict it, constitutes an insult to the public's discernment.
According to the article's findings, Alkalo Baboucarr Nyang maintains his fixed residence in Nyangen, the very village where his great-grandfather established the community. This historical connection and current residency directly contradict the official explanation for his removal. The article suggests that Mr. Nyang's deep roots and continuous presence in Nyangen undermine the claim of non-residency, portraying the official reason as a pretext rather than a legitimate cause. The publication implies that the administrative decision overlooks the foundational relationship between Mr. Nyang's lineage and the village of Nyangen, making the non-residency claim particularly contentious within the local context. The article emphasizes that for an alkalo whose family founded the village to be accused of non-residency is not merely an error but a deliberate misrepresentation of facts.
Allegations of Political Motivation
The article argues that traditional leaders should not be reduced to pawns in partisan political disputes. Tombong Saidy of the Unite Movement strongly articulated this sentiment, stating, "Traditional leaders should never be reduced to pawns in partisan politics." This statement shows a broader concern about the politicization of traditional institutions. According to the article, the actual reason for the decision to remove Alkalo Baboucarr Nyang is the political affiliation of his son, Mr. Mbye Nyang, who serves as the Niani Constituency chairman for the United Moral Congress (UMC). This alleged link between the alkalo's removal and his son's political activities forms the core of the political victimisation claim. The article contends that the official reason of non-residency is merely a smokescreen to conceal the underlying political motivations driving this decision.
The publication alleges that supporters of President Adama Barrow and the National People's Party (NPP) are using legal mechanisms to intimidate and punish the Nyang family because of their association with the opposition. This action, the article claims, represents a weaponization of the law, where legal provisions are selectively applied or misinterpreted to achieve political ends. Such an approach, it argues, perverts the course of justice and undermines the rule of law. A growing pattern of intolerance and desperation from the NPP is also noted by the article, which attributes this to the increasing popularity of Mayor Talib Bensouda and the UMC. The article suggests that as the political landscape shifts and the UMC gains traction, the ruling NPP is resorting to increasingly aggressive tactics to suppress perceived threats, with the removal of Alkalo Nyang being a prime example of this alleged strategy. The article further elaborates that this pattern of intolerance is becoming more pronounced, indicating a government under pressure and willing to exert influence over traditional structures to maintain its political dominance.
Undermining Democracy and Justice
The article asserts that the removal of Alkalo Baboucarr Nyang constitutes political victimisation and is unacceptable within a democratic society. It argues that such actions, particularly the misuse of state institutions for partisan ends, erode democratic principles and diminish public trust. The article posits that when traditional leadership roles, which are meant to be apolitical and serve the entire community, become targets of political maneuvering, the very fabric of democratic governance is weakened. Tombong Saidy of the Unite Movement unequivocally stated, "The misuse of state institutions for partisan purposes undermines democracy and weakens public trust in governance. Those responsible for this injustice must be held accountable, and this politically motivated decision should be reversed immediately." This powerful statement notes the severe implications of such actions on the nation's democratic health. The article therefore calls for accountability for those involved in what it describes as an injustice and demands the immediate reversal of the decision to remove Alkalo Nyang. It stresses that allowing such politically motivated removals to stand would set a dangerous precedent, further eroding the independence of traditional institutions and the public's faith in the impartiality of state mechanisms. The article concludes by emphasizing that upholding justice in this instance is key for safeguarding the democratic ideals that Gambians aspire to.
