By Seedy Jobe
Former Vice President Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang has formally submitted the registration documents for her newly formed Democratic Renaissance Party (DRP) to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), expressing confidence that the commission will complete its vetting process ahead of the December elections.
Speaking to Kerr Fatou after filing the documents on Thursday, Ms. Tambajang said the party had spent five years preparing for registration and believes the quality and completeness of its submission will facilitate the IEC’s review.
“I know the IEC has a lot of documents to review, but given the quality of our documents and the work we put into them, I hope it will not take much time,” she said.
Ms. Tambajang said the DRP had devoted particular attention to compiling and verifying membership signatures, which she described as one of the most important aspects of the registration process.
While expressing confidence in the commission, the former vice president also called for greater institutional support for the IEC, arguing that it requires additional personnel to manage the demands of the pre-election period.
She praised the commission’s ongoing work but said its capacity remains constrained by staffing shortages, making it difficult to effectively carry out its responsibilities as the country prepares for the polls.
Outlining the DRP’s policy agenda, Ms. Tambajang said her party is committed to expanding citizens’ rights, promoting economic empowerment, and addressing what she described as structural weaknesses in the country’s economy.
She argued that The Gambia’s economy has underperformed in recent years and expressed concern over the country’s public debt, saying it has exceeded acceptable levels.
Among the party’s proposed economic reforms are diversifying the economy, modernizing agriculture through digital technologies, and improving farmers’ access to equipment and fertilizer. She said agriculture remains the backbone of The Gambia’s economy but has been undermined by years of poor management, citing findings in recent audit reports.
Ms. Tambajang also said a DRP government would seek to attract greater international financing by leveraging opportunities through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the African Development Bank, the United Nations, and other development partners. Drawing on her 35 years of experience in government and the private sector, she said she has built relationships that could help attract investment to the country.
She said the party’s broader development agenda includes promoting climate-resilient agriculture, strengthening the healthcare system, improving the quality of education, and supporting indigenous businesses.
Among her institutional reform proposals, Ms. Tambajang said she would establish a national sovereign fund under the Central Bank and create a national think tank to harness the expertise of Gambian professionals at home and in the diaspora.
Addressing public appointments, Ms. Tambajang said her administration would prioritize competence over political affiliation.
“My government will not focus on who worked in the previous government. What we will look at is anyone who is educated, willing to work, capable, and experienced; we will put that person in the right position,” she said.
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