By Makutu Manneh
Kemo Bojang, Deputy Party Leader for Political Matters and Governance for the Unite Movement for Change (UMC), has called on opposition parties to halt internal attacks and instead direct their criticism toward President Adama Barrow. He warned that continued infighting risks eroding public confidence in The Gambia’s political leadership.
Speaking in an interview with Bitilo, Bojang stated that UMC presidential candidate Talib Ahmed Bensouda would not be drawn into online disputes, particularly with party figures at the chairman level. He emphasized that Bensouda, as a presidential aspirant, is focused on higher priorities rather than engaging in social media exchanges.
Bojang underscored that the UMC remains committed to delivering for the Gambian people and will not be sidetracked by political squabbles online.
Responding to allegations that Bensouda sponsors individuals to counter his critics, Bojang dismissed the claims, noting that such assertions are unfounded. “That is not possible; Talib is a leader, and insults against one’s leader provoke retaliation.”
He further urged opposition groups to concentrate on presenting a credible alternative to the current administration. Bojang argued that President Barrow benefits from access to state resources, which he claimed are being leveraged for political purposes.
“The opposition should focus on how we deliver this country. We are going against someone who has a treasure chest. President Barrow is in charge of the country’s coffers, and we are seeing how he is using it for politics,” he stated.
He also criticized recent remarks by President Barrow regarding infrastructure development, noting that previous administrations had similarly overseen projects from which Barrow himself benefited prior to taking office. According to Bojang, such statements reflect deeper systemic issues in governance and accountability.
“I heard President Barrow saying the opposition are driving on his roads, forgetting that in 2016 he was driving on roads and bridges not built by him. This just tells you how decayed the system is. To an extent, the president is thinking that the work he is doing, the money comes from his pocket.”
Bojang stressed that the opposition’s primary objective should be to offer a viable path to leadership change, rather than engaging in unsubstantiated accusations against one another. He called for greater mutual respect, maturity, and a shared commitment to reducing national dependency and advancing development.
He added that while there have been attempts at opposition collaboration, including discussions around a broader agreement with Apex, consensus has yet to be reached.
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