By Fatou Sillah
Saikou Sawo, leader of the Golden Era Party (GEP), has reaffirmed his party’s support for a coalition led by the United Democratic Party (UDP), arguing that it presents a more realistic path to defeating President Adama Barrow in the Dec. 5, 2026, presidential election than efforts to establish a separate “third force.”
Speaking in an interview with West Coast Radio, Mr. Sawo said the GEP remains committed to working with the UDP and other opposition groups willing to unite under a UDP-led alliance. He said discussions between the two parties have been constructive, although a formal agreement has yet to be finalized.
“I’m all in for a UDP-led coalition. We are ready to collaborate with UDP and other like-minded people that want to come join a UDP-led coalition because I feel like, instead of creating a third force, that’s a more viable path to victory,” he said.
Mr. Sawo also expressed frustration with ongoing coalition negotiations among opposition parties, arguing that too much attention has been devoted to determining who should lead a unified ticket rather than building a coalition capable of contesting the election.
“I don’t think they’re serious about coming together because this whole thing is still all about leadership. It has to be me, me or nobody else. We need to move away from this leadership thing so that we can have a formidable coalition. Four months to the election, we don’t have time,” he said.
Addressing his party’s relationship with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Mr. Sawo said the split between the two parties had not been anticipated and suggested there was little prospect of restoring that partnership.
He said the GEP is now focused on strengthening cooperation with the UDP and other political parties that support the formation of a UDP-led coalition ahead of the presidential election.
His remarks come as opposition parties continue negotiations over possible alliances, with efforts to consolidate support against the incumbent remaining a central feature of the pre-election political landscape.
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