Mayor of Banjul Malick-Lowe Raises Alarm Over “Degrading Politics,” Urges President Barrow to Protect Women in Public Life

Mayor of Banjul, Rohey Malick-Lowe, has expressed strong concern over what she describes as a rapidly deteriorating political climate in The Gambia, warning that rising insults, personal attacks, and intimidation are pushing women away from political participation.

In a public statement, the mayor said the current atmosphere is becoming “unsafe and disrespectful,” particularly for women who want to serve their country. She lamented that many capable women are now reluctant to enter politics because the space “destroys character instead of debating policies.”

Calling the situation a threat to the nation’s democratic future, Malick-Lowe appealed directly to President Adama Barrow to intervene.

> “I urgently call on His Excellency President Adama Barrow, President of all Gambians, to use his leadership and moral authority to stop this degrading style of politics,” she wrote.

She stressed that politics should be defined by ideas and solutions, not verbal attacks or ego-driven exchanges.

“A true politician is not measured by the insults they can give, but by the policies they hold and the solutions they offer,” she said. “Our leaders should be known by what they will do to improve lives, not by who they can verbally attack.”

Malick-Lowe warned that when politics becomes toxic, it undermines national unity and weakens democratic pillars such as the rule of law and fairness.

“If people are to respect and support the law, they must see it applied fairly and evenly… When we lose faith in that consistency, we risk losing the democracy we’re striving to build,” she cautioned.

Referencing the president’s earlier message to political actors about unity after campaigns, she said such goals cannot be achieved if the campaign trail remains filled with “malice and humiliation.”

The mayor concluded by urging political maturity and issue-based engagement.

“We cannot build a united country on the broken pieces of personal dignity,” she declared. “Let our political fights be about who has better ideas, not louder insults.”

Malick-Lowe said her call reflects the concerns of many women and citizens who desire a respectful, inclusive, and democratic political environment.