Speaking during an appearance on Kerr Fatou, Mr Darboe said the UDP does not engage in tribal politics and distanced the party from Imam Daru, who has claimed to be a UDP supporter.
In a widely circulated audio message on social media, Imam Daru attacked UNITE leader Talib Ahmed Bensouda, referring to him as a Sulaa. He also claimed that Mr Bensouda’s wife, Salimatou Jallow, is Guinean.
“I want to inform the whole world that the remarks made by Imam Daru Sanyang are his own and do not represent the UDP. The UDP does not engage in tribalism, how can you say that Talib Ahmed Bensouda’s wife is Guinean? My own mother, Jarriatou Jallow, was Guinean. So, we cannot tolerate those remarks,” Darboe said.
Mr Darboe said every Gambian has an origin, but that this does not make anyone a foreigner in their own country. He noted that some people holding senior positions within his own party have origins that can be traced to Pakaw in Casamance.
“We should turn our backs on tribalism,” the UDP leader said.
He also urged his supporters to understand that anyone engaging in tribalism is not helping the UDP, arguing that those who exploit ethnic differences for political gain do not want peace and unity in the country.
Darboe stressed that no ethnic group should consider itself superior to another, saying, “In this country, no tribe is better than the other. Fula, Wolof, Sarahule, Mandinka and all other ethnic groups are equals in The Gambia.”
He warned that tribalism would only create division at a sensitive political moment.
“Tribalism cannot develop this country. It will only bring hate and mistrust I do not want to be president in a country where there is disunity, the UDP will never support Imam Daru’s remarks,” he said.
