People’s Progressive Party (PPP) leader Ousman Madikay Faal has said the Gambia First Coalition’s alliance with the United Democratic Party (UDP) is seeking to give Gambian voters an alternative to what he described as years of economic hardship, political division and declining living standards.
Faal made the remarks while speaking on behalf of the alliance during the UDP’s 30th anniversary celebration at the Brikama SSP grounds. He said The Gambia had reached a critical point, with decisions made today likely to determine the country that future generations will inherit.
He challenged Gambians to consider whether they wanted to continue facing poverty, rising living costs, unemployment, corruption and political divisions, or pursue a different path based on greater economic opportunity, dignity, justice and citizen participation.
“We choose the latter. We choose Gambia first,” Faal declared.
The PPP leader also paid tribute to the founding members of the UDP and reflected on the political histories of both the UDP and PPP. While acknowledging that the parties emerged from different political traditions, he said their experiences form part of a shared national political history and can now serve as a basis for cooperation in what he described as the national interest.
Faal reserved particular praise for UDP leader ANM Ousainu Darboe, highlighting what he described as Darboe’s long-standing opposition to dictatorship and his advocacy for democracy, constitutionalism and the rule of law.
He said Darboe’s political activities had made him an important figure in The Gambia’s democratic struggle and credited him with inspiring a generation of politicians and activists.
“The Gambia has seen you fight for democracy. We have seen you defend the Constitution,” Faal said, addressing Darboe. He added that the alliance now wanted Gambians to have the opportunity to see the veteran opposition leader lead the country and translate those principles into government.
According to Faal, the Gambia First Coalition was not established simply as an electoral arrangement aimed at winning an election. He described it instead as a political partnership intended to change the country’s direction and tackle economic and social challenges affecting ordinary citizens.
He urged supporters to look beyond traditional party politics, arguing that the alliance should be judged by its commitment to placing the national interest above individual ambitions and partisan considerations.
Faal said the partnership between the Gambia First Coalition and the UDP represented an opportunity to bring different political forces together around a common national agenda.
He concluded by returning to the coalition’s central political message, emphasizing that the alliance’s objective was to put national interests at the heart of governance.
“We choose Gambia first,” he said.
