By Omar Bah
Former President Yahya Jammeh will soon announce the position of his “No To Alliance” movement ahead of the 5th December presidential election, with his return to The Gambia described as critical to any coalition agreement or partnership, according to National Assembly Member for Foñi Kansala Almameh Gibba.
Speaking to The Standard Wednesday evening, Gibba said the movement is rebuilding its structures and consulting members, and will likely join an opposition coalition to unseat President Adama Barrow.
He said there is currently “no signal” that they would support the incumbent.
“But for other political parties who are opposition, I can tell you that we will join with a coalition,” he said.
Gibba said no opposition party has been ruled out, including coalitions mushrooming around parties like the UDP, UMC and NDP. However, any final decision will be taken by the movement’s executive in consultation with Jammeh and supporters in The Gambia and the diaspora.
“It will not be merely for the sake of joining a coalition. It would depend on the terms and conditions that we are going to put across to all political parties that we are going to join with,” he emphasised.
He said the movement has not closed the door on fielding its own presidential candidate if its conditions which include the return of Jammeh are not accepted, but he admitted joining a coalition has “the bigger chance” of electoral success in December.
He said Jammeh is committed to return to The Gambia and live as a normal citizen and support peace and reconciliation efforts.
“I can assure Gambians that Jammeh loves this country more than anyone can imagine. This is why he is very worried about the country’s current insecurity and committed to come home and support in that area,” Gibba said.
He said Jammeh has assured them that his return will not cause any security challenge to the country and its people.
Gibba cited the movement’s role in the 2021 election when it backed GDC leader Mamma Kandeh, claiming its grassroots base contributed significantly to GDC’s votes.
Jammeh ruled The Gambia for 22 years after seizing power in a 1994 coup. He was defeated in the December 2016 presidential election by coalition candidate Adama Barrow.
Following weeks of political deadlock and regional intervention by Ecowas, Jammeh conceded and went into exile in January 2017. He has since been based in Equatorial Guinea, where he was granted asylum.
His absence has loomed over the former ruling APRC.
The “No To Alliance” faction, which broke away from the Barrow-era coalition with the APRC, maintains loyalty to Jammeh and says his input remains decisive on electoral strategy.
With coalition talks intensifying ahead of December, Gibba said the movement’s supporters should remain patient pending Jammeh’s announcement.
“We are building and restructuring, coordinating, meeting our people and reconciling differences. When that is done, we will come up with who do we join as a coalition and that would be announced by Jammeh soon.”