Political Party Leaders call for unity in politics

Gambian Political Party Leaders has called on their supporters to unite, and work together and see Gambia as one, and avoid the insulting and fighting.

This call was echoed at the end of the Seminar on promoting inclusive and accountable politics held at the Baobab Hotel from 29 April to 3 May 2019, aimed to further empower youth, women and disability groups within political parties to become more proactive and effective in actively participating and leading party activities, decision-making processes and structures.

Madi Jobarteh, Program Facilitator explained that the program ismeant to encourage all-inclusive in November 2018 Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) launched the ‘Commonwealth Partnership for Democracy (CP4D)’ programme in The Gambia, focusing to promote inclusive and accountable politics across 18 Commonwealth countries, including The Gambia.

He said there are lineup of activities beside this seminar, expressing hope that the action plan developed during the seminar will enable respective political parties engage on effective political activities.

Tina Fahm a UK-based expert on gender and disabilities and co-facilitator expressed appreciation, adding that work done shows that obstacles will be overcome, while commending participants for their commitments towards effecting change in The Gambia.

Mohamadou Musa Njie (Papa) PPP Secretary General and Party Leader expressed gratitude to the organizers, noting that his party’s representatives came from Brikama, Kunrtaur Fulla Kunda, KanifingMunicipality and Wuli, “and they informed me that the key lesson learnt is Gambia First- Leave No One Behind,” Mr Njie said, adding: “We should not give lip service. He expressed the need for unity among Gambians despite diverse political backgrounds, to work towards achieving common objectives.

Ousainou Darboe- UDP Leader commended the organisers for the initiative, and called on participants to harmonise their relationship, unite for common good, and put The Gambia First.

Mama Kandeh, GDC Leader quest why divisions, fighting and insults among party supporters, when all party leaders talks about love to one Gambia, and the same issues. He called Gambian youth to unite and work for the interest of Gambians.

He also echoed the need for more Gambian youth participation in politics, but added that such politics should not disunite us.

Ousman Ramboa Jatta, also expressed similar sentiments, and echoed the need for unity among various political party supporters, regardless of political backgrounds. “Let come as one people, one Gambia,” he said.

He also expressed the need for more youth participation in politics.

 Following the CP4D programme launch, WFD brought representatives from the major political parties from the UK (namely: Labour, Conservative and Scottish National Party) to have an engagement with Gambian political parties to share and learn from each other on how to build effective and inclusive political parties with robust structures and processes. To build further on this engagement, WFD now intends to follow up that fact-finding exercise with an advocacy seminar aimed at youth, women and persons with disabilities within various parties in The Gambia, as well as participants from persons with disabilities organizations in the civil society.

 As part of this fact-finding mission, WFD arranged a cross-party advocacy training workshop from The training seminar conducted by Ms. Tina Fahm, a UK-based expert on gender and disabilities.