Gambia: The Ambiguity in the Conference of Presidential Candidates

Following a constant public outcry for opposition parties in the Gambia to form a unified coalition in order to try and bring an end to the 22-year reign of the APRC government in the upcoming general elections, opposition party leaders have finally managed to organise a meeting aimed at finding modalities to that effect.

Spearheaded by the veteran politician and PDOIS flagbearer - Mr Halifah Sallah, the presidential aspirants and/or their representatives with some observers converged at the Kairaba Beach Hotel on Wednesday 14th September 2016 to commence discussions on such a matter of national interest. It is reported that the meeting was held behind closed doors and lasted for about two hours.

Photo Source: sharonspano.com

According to foroyaa, the Presidential hopefuls in attendance at the meeting were Dr Lamin Bojang of NCP and Halifa Sallah of PDOIS. Mr. Hamat Bah of the NRP and Mamma Kandeh of GDC were represented by their deputies - Musa Sonko and Yusupha Jaiteh respectively. Both Bah and Kandeh were said to be out of town during the meeting.

Meanwhile, the two presidential candidates who did not appear or send representatives to hold briefs on their behalfs were Mr. Adama Barrow of the UDP and the Independent candidate - Dr. Isatou Touray. Similarly, Mr Henry Gomez of the GPDP promised to send two representatives but no one turned up for him. Also the PPP and GMC sent neither any representatives nor observers - foroyaa reported.

This meeting is undoubtedly a step in the right direction but its ambiguity badly exposes the division amongst Gambian opposition parties. The weakness in participation/representation level from the stakeholders was rather too obvious to formulate conspiracy theories around it.

However, since another meeting is scheduled to take place, we will give this one the benefit of the doubt for now and look forward to the second meeting. We hope for a more meaningful outcome next time around and look forward to a single opposition candidate come December 1st.

It must however be stressed that time is not our side since December 1st is just about 10 weeks away.  We therefore continue to plead with all opposition leaders to put their egos and personal interests aside and put the interest of the country first. May the forthcoming elections usher in a new dawn in Gambian politics and bring us the much sought after 3rd republic.