The United Democratic Party (UDP) leader, lawyer Ousainu Darboe, has been recognized for his lifetime dedication to justice, peace, and good government with the 2025 Global Legacy in Statesmanship and Peace Award.
His efforts to democracy and human rights were recognized internationally when he received the prize in Helsinki, Finland.
Darboe said in his acceptance speech that the distinction was really humbling. He considered the duties he took on after finishing his law education, stating that Gambians had a great deal of faith in him amid trying times.
He described the situation as “a burden of hope by ordinary Gambians who were suffering from an orthodox behavior of the executive depriving them of their dues.”
Darboe underlined that he has always been driven to speak up for the voiceless and disadvantaged, making sure that their rights are protected from infringement.
This is a sacred trust that has been gained via hard work and a dedication to fairness, not merely a responsibility. I still bear this weight of trust and hope to this day,” he continued.
As the head of the primary opposition party in the nation, Darboe is a pivotal figure in Gambian politics. Prior to this, he was the minister of international affairs and vice president under President Adama Barrow from 2018 to 2019.
