On Tuesday, six opposition parties and political movements in The Gambia revealed that they had signed a voluntary “Harmony Pact.” This agreement is intended to diminish hostility and mistrust among competing factions as they engage in negotiations for a potential coalition in anticipation of the presidential election set for Dec. 5.
The agreement, officially named the “Tri-vergence Accord,” was established on March 3 with the support of APeX, an independent civic platform that has been facilitating discussions among opposition leaders aiming to unite against the current government.
The parties who signed include the All People’s Party Sobeyaa, led by Essa Mbye Faal; Gambia for All, headed by Bakary Bunja Dabo; the National Unity Party, led by Dr. Lamin J. Darbo; the Tabax Rewmi Movement, led by Ahmadou Kah; the United Democratic Party, under ANM Ousainou Darboe; and the Unite Movement for Change, with interim leadership by Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda.
The parties released a joint statement in Banjul, characterizing the accord as a “good-faith framework” aimed at fostering mutual respect, constructive engagement, and non-hostility amid the complex and competitive nature of coalition negotiations.
Although the agreement lacks legal binding, the involved parties described it as a “solemn moral and political commitment” to fostering harmonious coexistence among opposition stakeholders and presidential candidates ahead of the December election.According to the terms of the agreement, the signatories committed to ensuring that their members and supporters would avoid inflammatory rhetoric, incitement, false statements, and any actions that could lead to violence or public disorder. The agreement allows for debate and political disagreement — which the parties consider vital in a multiparty democracy — while aiming to prevent disputes from escalating into public confrontation.
The document outlines dialogue and mediation mechanisms designed to address inter-party grievances and emphasize de-escalation when tensions emerge.
The term “Tri-vergence,” as stated, signifies what the parties referred to as a symbolic convergence on Feb. 18, when The Gambia celebrated its Independence Day in conjunction with the initial days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Christian season of Lent.The signatories stated that the agreement was designed as a temporary protection for the integrity of the current coalition-building efforts, as well as a measure to foster trust among opposition members who have traditionally faced challenges in achieving unity.
The agreement is still available for other parties and presidential candidates who are not presently involved in the coalition discussions. Groups that are interested can formally express their intention to join by reaching out to APeX or any of the current signatories, according to the statement.
In conclusion, the six parties called on their members, supporters, and the wider public to honor what they referred to as the “letter and spirit” of the accord, both in online interactions and in direct political engagement.The pledge’s potential to form a unified opposition ticket is still unclear, yet Tuesday’s announcement indicates a fresh effort to address internal rivalries as the campaign season draws near.
