President Adama Barrow has called on Gambians to reject tribalism and unite as one family for national development, saying all citizens share a common ancestry regardless of ethnic background.
Speaking at a meeting in Kerr Mahlima, the President said tribal divisions have no place on The Gambia's development agenda.
"The issue of tribalism, we should all run away from it. We are all Gambians, and we are all related. We are all from the same mother and father. Let us put tribalism aside and unite as one family," President Barrow said.
Barrow urged citizens to move beyond ethnic identification, noting that surnames and tribal affiliations are only for identification and should not be used to divide the country.
"This person is a Fula and this one is a Mandinka; let us put that aside and distance ourselves from it. Let us unite and move the country forward rather than engage in tribalism; that is what will develop the country," he said.
President Barrow emphasised that character should be judged individually, not by tribe, adding that every ethnic group has both good and bad people.
"If your surname is Barrow, another person's surname is Darboe, it is only for identification, nothing else. In every tribe, there is a good person and there is a bad person," he stated.
The Gambian Leader further highlighted the interwoven nature of Gambian society, where communities live as neighbours and share religious bonds as Muslims and Christians.
"So we are all neighbours, we are all Muslims and Christians. Then we are brothers and sisters," he said.
The President's remarks come amid ongoing national conversations about social cohesion and political tolerance. In recent months, concerns have been raised by civil society and religious leaders about the rise of ethnically charged rhetoric, particularly on social media and at political gatherings.
President Barrow has consistently maintained that his administration's development agenda is anchored on inclusivity and non-discrimination, with projects being implemented across all regions irrespective of tribal or political affiliation.
The meeting in Kerr Mahlima formed part of the President's continued engagement with communities across the country, where he discusses government development priorities and listens to local concerns.