Omar Saibo Camara, Spokesperson for Gambians Against Looted Assets
By Makutu Manneh
The spokesperson for the activist group Gambians Against Looted Assets, Omar Saibo Camara, has called on voters to treat the country’s upcoming presidential election as a referendum on corruption, urging the electorate to prioritize integrity and competence in leadership.
Speaking in a recent interview on “the Brunch” with Kerr Fatou, Mr. Camara described elections as a critical mechanism for public accountability, arguing that they provide citizens with a rare opportunity to hold leaders responsible for their actions.
“Every Gambian should understand that an election is one of the biggest accountability tools,” he said. “The only time every mature Gambian has the right to go out and hold the leaders to account is during elections, and therefore Gambians should embrace the 2026 election. It is another do-or-die; it reminds us of the 2016 election.”
He likened the stakes of the 2026 vote to those of the 2016 Gambian presidential election, a contest widely seen as a turning point in the nation’s political history, and urged voters to approach the upcoming ballot with similar urgency.
While emphasizing that GALA would not endorse any candidate, Mr. Camara said the group would continue to advocate against supporting individuals implicated in corruption or those who disregard the rule of law.
Mr. Camara also underscored the organization’s nonpartisan stance, noting that members, like all citizens, may hold personal political affiliations but remain united in their broader advocacy goals.
“Everybody has a political affiliation regardless of not being partisan, as all have the right to vote.”
Also appearing in the interview, Hakeem Touray, the group’s national coordinator, echoed the call for discernment at the polls. He warned against electing leaders who seek public office for personal gain, urging voters instead to choose candidates committed to serving the broader national interest.
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