Alhagie Mamadi Kurang, a former independent presidential aspirant who later endorsed The People’s Democratic Organisation For Independence and Socialism PDOIS, has expressed his view that veteran leader Halifa Sallah should step aside.
After the 2021 presidential elections, Mr. Sallah stated that he would not run for office again as a presidential candidate. Recently, there have been speculations about his potential return ‘by popular demand’. Mr. Sallah stated to QTV over the weekend that those wishing for his return have two options: either he will return or a candidate he supports will take his place.
According to Kurang, who does not hold an official position in the party, he would not endorse any potential return for Halifa, as PDOIS has many capable individuals who are better suited to lead, such as Wuli West NAM Suwaibou Touray.
“Halifa is entitled to contest, but he does not have my backing.” “I believe he ought to simply pass it to Suwaibou Touray, who is a very intelligent individual,” Kurang stated during a panel discussion on Eye Africa TV.
He acknowledged, however, that such a decision rests solely with the party’s congress.
During the party’s congress, Kurang reported that PDOIS militants had enquired about Sallah’s resignation from active politics. The veteran politician responded that he intended to leave after his term expired in two years. He mentioned that some of the militants received that declaration positively, as it will allow the party time to prepare a successor.
“Following that congress, I did not receive any updates on this matter until Halifa participated in an interview with QTV, where he was questioned about suggestions for his return.” Then Sidia came and said that if the people want Halifa, etc. etc. So they are no longer speaking for PDOIS because PDOIS had already held a congress,” Kurang stated.
He stated that the challenges within PDOIS extend beyond Halifa’s potential continuation, encompassing several internal matters, including the party’s “lack of spark.”
“Following the presidential and parliamentary elections, we conducted an evaluation to identify the issues at hand.” Some claimed the party failed to fulfil its obligations, while others suggested that Gambians are influenced by sentiment in their voting decisions, which led to their choice not to support us. However, I rose and expressed that they should not claim Gambians have not awakened. This country experienced an apartheid system in which only the residents of Banjul and its nearby areas were allowed to vote in elections. However, the people rose up, formed the PPP, and achieved universal adult suffrage. “You cannot inform the people that they were unaware when they did that in 1959,” Kurang stated.
He stated that PDOIS might not exert significant political influence as long as it “surrounds itself with this ideology that we know more than the people.” “An opposition serves as a government in waiting and must consequently embody the qualities of a government.” “If we claim that Barrow is not our choice and that a change in the system is necessary, we must demonstrate to the people that we are prepared to replace Barrow,” he stated.
