By Arret Jatta
The Gambia For All (GFA) has formally signed an alliance agreement with the United Democratic Party (UDP), strengthening the UDP-led Gambia First Coalition ahead of the December 5 presidential election.
The agreement was signed yesterday at the UDP Bureau in Manjai, with GFA representative Bolong Sonko and UDP leader Ousainu Darboe addressing the gathering.
Sonko told the gathering that the event was a renewal of a partnership that dates back to the 2021 presidential election when the two parties campaigned together behind UDP leader Ousainu Darboe.
Sonko said the party had carefully reviewed the draft alliance agreement and considered it inclusive, transparent and focused on practical implementation.
He urged supporters of both parties to respect the agreement, reject political violence and inflammatory rhetoric, and avoid personal attacks, insults and tribal politics.
“We must ensure, alongside all our partners, that we will not fail this time,” Sonko said, calling on supporters to work towards the alliance’s objectives.
UDP leader Ousainu Darboe welcomed GFA into the alliance and said the opposition grouping was growing in both numbers and quality.
Darboe vowed that the alliance would focus on constitutional and institutional reforms, including a new constitution, a politically neutral civil service and a security sector free from partisan politics.
He outlined his proposed five-year national renewal programme, saying it would seek to strengthen the economy and introduce reforms across government.
The UDP leader urged coalition supporters to focus on taking the alliance’s policies and message to communities across the country.
The Gambia First Coalition was formally established in August with the UDP, Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD), Gambia Alliance for National Unity (GANU), Gambian People’s Advancement Party (GPAP), People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC Golden Era Party (GEP) and now Gambia For All UDP leader Darboe is the coalition’s presidential candidate.