UMC Europe Chapter

16/05/2026

16/05/2026

Stay focused

16/05/2026

Urging all Gambian to stay informed and observe the change

Check out UMC Europe Chapter's LIVE streams on TikTok! Watch, follow, and discover the latest content from UMC Europe Chapter.

27/04/2026

Join us this Wednesday on TikTok for a live discussion with Alagie Sedia Fofana on current political topics and Unite. Bring your questions and join the conversation.

27/04/2026

Democracy Must Not Be Silenced in Mandinaba

Reports coming out of Mandinaba are deeply disturbing and should concern every Gambian who believes in democracy, freedom and fairness.

If it is true that police officers asked women to remove umbrellas showing support for Talib or UNITE, then such an action is completely wrong and must be condemned. No citizen should be made to feel afraid simply because they are peacefully expressing their political views.

In a democracy, people have the right to support the leader or party they believe in. That right does not disappear because someone is holding an umbrella, wearing a colour, carrying a symbol or standing in a public place. Peaceful political expression is not a crime. It is part of the freedom that every citizen should enjoy.

Women, in particular, must never be intimidated for showing support for any political movement. They have the same right as every other citizen to take part in national life, to express their views and to stand with those they believe in.

The Gambia Police Force must now come out clearly and explain what happened in Mandinaba. Did this incident really take place? Who gave the order? Under what law were officers acting?

These are serious questions that deserve serious answers.

The role of the police is to protect citizens, maintain peace and uphold the law. Their duty is not to interfere in politics or make people feel unsafe because of their political choices. When the police appear to take sides, public trust is damaged and democracy itself is weakened.

If these reports are confirmed, the matter must be addressed immediately. Those responsible must be held to account, and clear steps must be taken to ensure that such behaviour does not happen again.

The Gambia cannot allow intimidation to replace democracy. Our country must remain a place where every citizen can support who they believe in without fear.

At the end of the day, democracy is about freedom. It is about the freedom to speak, the freedom to choose and the freedom to support any political leader or party peacefully and openly.

By Hon Cllr Mc Cham jnr

27/04/2026