Gambia: That Elusive Opposition Coalition Flag Bearer Have Finally Been Unveiled!

The much-anticipated and long awaited convention on opposition coalition has finally come to an end at the Kairaba Beach Hotel on Sunday 30th October, 2016. After a lengthy voting process, Mr. Adama Barrow of the United Democratic Party emerged victorious canvassing about 62% of the votes. Announcing the results, the chairperson for the occasion, Mrs. Fatoumatta Jallow-Tambajang revealed that a total of 490 votes were registered, out of which, 2 were declared null and void.

Mr. Barrow who secured 308 votes was respectively followed by Mr. Hamat Bah of the National Reconciliation Party (NRP) with 75 votes, Mr. Halifa Sallah of the Peoples Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) with 65 votes and Dr. Lamin Bojang of the National Convention Party (NCP) with 40 votes. Surprisingly though, the independent candidate - Dr. Isatou Touray didn’t show up for the occasion, reasons of which are yet to emerge.

Convention on Opposition Coalition, Kairaba Beach Hotel - 30/10/16. Photo source: Gainako

As it stands then, 51 year old Adama Barrow who hails from Mankamang Kunda in the Upper River Region will lock horns with the incumbent; and possibly with the independent candidate - Dr. Isatou Touray and of course Mamma Kandeh of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) who had earlier pulled out of the coalition talks. It all depends however on whether all of them will make it through the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) nominations which is slated to take place between the 7th and 10th November, 2016.

While I deeply regret the fact that there is going to be more than one opposition candidate contesting the December 1st polls, I sincerely congratulate Mr. Adama Barrow for his victory and optimistically looking forward for him to replicate his triumph come December. I also wish to commend all the opposition candidates, civil society activists and all stakeholders who took part in this very difficult process. You have all done your best in the only way you know how! Therefore the onus is now on the Gambian electorates to repay your sacrifices. May December 1st 2016 usher in the 3rd Republic in our dear fatherland!

Rejoinder

The independent candidate Dr. Isatou Touray has since agreed to rally behind the coalition of opposition parties, meaning only two candidates are up for the running against the incumbent. Meanwhile the IEC has given the go-ahead to all three candidates aspiring to vie for the presidency. So all eyes are now firmly fixed on December 1st.