EDITORIAL: The Coordinated Smear Campaign Against Yankuba Sonko Must Stop

By Jarra News TV Editorial Board

A dangerous trend is emerging in The Gambia where accusations, political emotions, and selective activism are increasingly being elevated above facts, evidence, and fairness. The latest target of this troubling culture is former Inspector General of Police Yankuba JN Sonko — a man whose contributions to national stability, security reform, and democratic transition continue to be deliberately ignored by certain activist groups and politically motivated actors.

For years, some organizations and individuals have attempted to portray Yankuba Sonko as a symbol of repression without producing a single piece of direct evidence proving he personally tortured, killed, or ordered the torture of any Gambian citizen. Repeating allegations does not transform speculation into truth.

The truth many Gambians know — but some activists refuse to acknowledge — is that the brutal machinery of former President Yahya Jammeh operated through secretive networks that answered directly to Jammeh himself. The notorious Junglers and rogue elements within the intelligence apparatus did not function under conventional police command structures. This was repeatedly established during proceedings of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission.

Yet despite this reality, there are continued attempts to unfairly drag Sonko into narratives unsupported by concrete proof. Why? Because some activists need political villains to sustain relevance and public sympathy.

It is becoming increasingly clear that certain rights groups have transformed activism into selective persecution. Instead of pursuing balanced justice, they appear determined to destroy reputations based on assumptions and emotional rhetoric. Worse still, some individuals now calling themselves “victims” were elevated through a TRRC process that many Gambians believe was itself selective, inconsistent, and influenced by personal agendas.

There are credible concerns that real victims were sidelined while unknown individuals with questionable claims were handpicked and publicly recognized. These concerns cannot simply be dismissed because they are uncomfortable to discuss.

The TRRC was never meant to become a weapon for settling personal scores or silencing alternative perspectives. Unfortunately, some have attempted to treat its recommendations as sacred and beyond criticism. That is not democracy. That is intolerance disguised as activism.

What is most disturbing is the hypocrisy surrounding the treatment of Yankuba Sonko. Many public officials named in various commissions continue to occupy influential positions today without attracting outrage from these same activists. Why the silence? Why the selective outrage only when it comes to Sonko?

The answer appears obvious.

Yankuba Sonko challenged aspects of the TRRC findings and refused to quietly accept what he considered unfair conclusions. Since then, some groups have intensified efforts to politically isolate and publicly demonize him.

But Gambians must not forget history.

During the tense 2016–2017 political impasse, when fear and uncertainty gripped the nation, Yankuba Sonko stood on the side of peace and democratic stability. Veteran politician Halifa Sallah himself reportedly acknowledged the role Sonko played in ensuring that the police protected the will of the Gambian people after the coalition victory.

At a moment when the country was on the brink of confrontation, Sonko reportedly coordinated security protection for coalition leaders, shared intelligence information, and helped prevent bloodshed and instability. Those were not the actions of an enemy of democracy. Those were the actions of a patriotic officer who understood the catastrophic consequences of national conflict.

Without the quiet intervention of responsible security officers like Sonko and others, The Gambia could easily have descended into chaos.

Yet today, instead of recognizing his role in safeguarding peace during one of the nation’s darkest political moments, some groups seek to erase his contributions and reduce his legacy to politically convenient accusations.

That is not justice. That is historical manipulation.

Even the allegations surrounding the West African migrant killings remain surrounded by contradictions and unanswered questions. Evidence reportedly presented before the TRRC showed that Sonko was outside the country studying in the United Kingdom during critical periods linked to those events. Multiple testimonies before the commission were inconsistent and contradictory, while some witnesses carried credibility concerns and personal grievances.

Still, these contradictions were largely ignored in favour of sensational conclusions designed to damage reputations.

No fair-minded society can build justice on selective testimonies, emotional pressure, and predetermined narratives.

Beyond politics and controversy, Yankuba Sonko’s professional achievements remain undeniable. Under his leadership, the police force experienced major infrastructural development, stronger discipline, merit-based promotions, welfare improvements, and institutional reforms that benefited officers nationwide. Numerous police stations, police quarters, and operational facilities were built or renovated during his tenure as IGP.

These are facts that cannot be erased by propaganda campaigns.

The Gambia must be careful not to allow immature activism and politically motivated campaigns to destroy the principles of fairness and national reconciliation. True justice demands honesty, consistency, and equal standards for everyone — not selective condemnation based on public mood or political convenience.

As a nation, Gambians must reject the dangerous culture of demonizing individuals without incontrovertible evidence. History will judge not only those accused of wrongdoing, but also those who manipulated justice for personal and political interests.

Yankuba Sonko deserves fairness, not persecution disguised as activism.