Hon. Suwaibou Touray has been elected as the next Secretary General of the People’s Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), which will govern the party’s activities for the next four years. At the moment, Hon. Touray represents Wuli East in the National Assembly.
On Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the party’s convention, which was hosted at a nearby hotel in the SeneGambia region, the leadership change occurred.
Hon. Touray stated in his acceptance speech that the nation is dealing with serious issues and that people are suffering greatly. He emphasized widespread poverty, the hardships faced by farmers, who make up almost 75% of the population, the rise in youth irregular migration, and the ongoing maternal mortality rate.
“The recurrent budget is consumed by bureaucracy with nothing left for development, and now we go for loans and mortgaging,” he stated.
He contends that taking out a mortgage on the nation’s assets erodes the foundation for coming generations. He emphasized that cooperation is needed to save the country and urged harmony and understanding both inside the party and throughout the nation. In order to succeed, he continued, the party’s national agenda needs complete recognition and dedication.
Halifa Sallah, the departing Secretary General, called the election “the beginning of another beginning” for the nation and the party.
“We are not leaving; we are shifting gears to prepare ourselves to serve our country better. The country needs all of us. The country is suffering, and her true sons and daughters must take a stand to save her,” he said.
Mr. Sallah emphasized that their words and deeds would speak for the party as a whole and informed the newly elected executive that history will judge their dedication.
“The integrity of the party rests in your hands. You who are elected are the images of the party; if you fall, the party will fall; if you rise, the party will rise,”he continued.
“You will make sure that the truth saves the Gambia,” he stated, adding that the new administration must be prepared to lead the populace without fear, favor, affection, or malice and that they will stand for the truth because it is what it is.
He exhorted the new leadership to continue their commitment to justice and the truth, regardless of the repercussions, and to stand in the vanguard of the people without fear or favor.
Senior party member Sidia Jatta also praised the newly elected executive during her speech at the congress, stressing that a change in leadership entails more responsibilities.
He expressed confidence in the elected officials’ readiness to take on the upcoming tasks and pointed out that they had embraced a collective duty to make a significant contribution to the nation’s development for the benefit of all residents.
“All of you who have been elected, you are committed to contributing your quote to the transformation of this country for the good of everybody, and I am sure that all of you are prepared for the tasks ahead,” he said.
Mr. Jatta emphasized that good teamwork and common effort would be crucial in alleviating the responsibilities of leadership and further reassured the new leadership of the continuous support of senior party members.
The newly elected PDOIS Executive Committee members are:
Chairperson of PDOIS: Essa Wally
Alpha Robinson is the Political Bureau Secretary.
Sam Sarr, secretary to the Information Bureau
Nakula Ceesay, secretary to the organizing bureau
Fatou Sallah Jobe, Secretary to Women and Child Affairs
Aminata Maimuna Baldeh, Youth Bureau secretary
Dr. Bai Biran Jagne, Secretary to the Sovereign Wealth Fund Bureau
Dr. Adama Bah is the Expert Bank Bureau’s secretary.
Baba Muhammad Sambou, secretary to the Consultative and Advisory Committee Bureau
Ndey Yassin Secka is the secretary of the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Bureau.
Secretary of Administration: Fatou Sowe
Joseph Elijah is the treasurer.
Ousman Sillah, Secretary to International Affairs
Musa Cham, NAM Assembly and Councillorship Affairs Secretary
Momodou Mass Jobe is the auditor.
