Wuli East lawmaker and PDOIS Secretary General emphasizes civic awareness, accountability, and economic opportunity By Jarra News Media Staff Reporter Hon. Suwaibou Touray, the Member of Parliament for Wuli East, Secretary General of the People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), and a member of the National Assembly’s Human Rights and Constitutional Matters Committee, has urged Gambian youth to remain politically informed and refuse to be drawn into violence or unlawful activities as the country prepares for the December 2026 elections. Touray made the appeal on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at an open dialogue hosted by Amnesty International’s Gambia Chapter. The discussion examined the difficulties facing Gambian youth and possible solutions as the nation approaches the elections. “Be conscious enough not to allow yourselves to be used to kill other people,” Touray cautioned. He urged young Gambians to resist attempts by political actors to exploit their frustrations, unemployment, and vulnerability for partisan purposes. He said the dialogue was significant because it addressed the circumstances of one of society’s most vulnerable groups. In his view, preparing young people for responsible citizenship begins within the family and must be reinforced by society and the state. Society’s Duty to Support Young People Touray maintained that society must help children develop into responsible, productive, and dignified citizens. He criticized the habit of describing young people as lazy, directionless, or irresponsible without examining the conditions that contributed to their difficulties. He illustrated the point through the example of a tree seedling. If a seedling is planted and then neglected—without water, fertilizer, protection, or proper attention—it may die or develop poorly. The same, he argued, applies to young Gambians. “We must focus on the seedling and guide its development at every stage so that it grows in the way we expect,” he said. Touray emphasized that young people need a safe and supportive environment, free from dangers that could obstruct their development. He said both parents and the state share responsibility for creating such conditions. Parliament’s Role As a legislator and member of the Human Rights and Constitutional Matters Committee, Touray said the National Assembly has significant duties in legislation, oversight, and representation. At the same time, he noted that Parliament is a political institution and cautioned against allowing partisan considerations to shape every national decision. Such a political culture, he argued, can produce policies that fail to serve young people’s interests, even though many young citizens are themselves represented in the Assembly. He therefore called for the youth-development debate to extend beyond Parliament’s formal functions and to prioritize practical responses to the challenges affecting the country’s young population. Unemployment and Desperation Touray observed that many Gambian youths pursue education with the expectation of obtaining decent employment and eventually supporting themselves and their parents. However, a considerable number later remain unemployed and dependent on their families, creating additional financial pressure at home. He warned that prolonged frustration and limited opportunities can drive some young people toward desperate decisions, including drug trafficking, substance abuse, theft, violence, and other criminal activities. Reflecting on visits conducted by the National Assembly’s Human Rights and Constitutional Matters Committee to detention centers nationwide, Touray said the delegation encountered many young people and juveniles in remand facilities and prisons. He described it as a national failure when a vital segment of the population is confined behind bars instead of gaining education, acquiring skills, and contributing meaningfully to society. Prison Conditions Raise Concerns Touray questioned the circumstances that had led many young people into detention. He said some detainees identified drug-related offenses, theft, and fighting as the reasons for their imprisonment. He argued that incarceration alone, without addressing the social and economic conditions underlying these offenses, cannot provide a lasting solution. He was especially critical of conditions at Mile 11 Prison, which he described as swampy and heavily infested with mosquitoes. He also raised concerns about the amount and nutritional value of food served to inmates, stating that he had personally observed the conditions during the committee’s visit. Irregular Migration and the Pursuit of Opportunity The PDOIS Secretary General also discussed the continued migration of Gambian youth through irregular and dangerous routes to Europe and other destinations. He questioned why young Gambians are prepared to risk their lives on perilous journeys merely to reach another country. According to Touray, many say they are seeking to escape poverty and eventually assist their parents and families. He characterized this situation as an “irony,” noting that children are increasingly expected to lift their parents out of poverty instead of parents being able to secure a stable future for their children. Touray also referred to circular-migration programs involving The Gambia, Spain, Saudi Arabia, and other countries. He questioned why comparable economic opportunities could not be developed within The Gambia itself. Agriculture and Fisheries as Sources of Employment Touray advocated increased investment in agriculture, especially in farming, processing, and the export of agricultural goods. He said The Gambia could support farmers and establish stronger agricultural industries capable of producing vegetables, fruits, and other crops for local and international markets. Such investment, he argued, would create jobs, earn foreign exchange, and strengthen the national economy. He made a similar case for the country’s fisheries sector, pointing to the substantial resources of the River Gambia and the Atlantic Ocean. Touray questioned why The Gambia could not expand investment in fishing vessels, fish-processing facilities, and related industries. In his view, these measures could generate employment and wealth while reducing the country’s dependence on imported goods. Youth Must Take Responsibility for Their Future Touray encouraged Gambian youth to recognize their numerical strength and exercise it responsibly. Since young people make up a substantial majority of the population, he said, they possess significant influence over the country’s political future. He advised them to study political-party manifestos carefully before determining which programs merit their support. Rather than following individual politicians without question, young voters should evaluate which parties offer credible and specific proposals for addressing their concerns. Touray also acknowledged that some young activists avoid partisan politics because they believe politicians are broadly corrupt. Although he recognized the basis for that concern, he urged young people not to abandon democratic participation. He called political apathy “the number one enemy of our democracy,” warning that public disengagement could enable politicians to control the political arena without sufficient citizen oversight. Democratic Authority Is Entrusted Power Touray explained that democratic leadership should be understood as power delegated by citizens. Although voters authorize leaders to govern on their behalf, that arrangement does not relieve citizens of their duty to monitor leaders and demand accountability. He emphasized that sustained public participation and vigilance are essential to the effective functioning of a democracy. Post navigation WHEN A POLITICAL PARTY SEEKS TO ANNOUNCE THE ELECTION RESULT: A SERIOUS THREAT TO THE GAMBIA’S ELECTORAL ORDER