By Seedy Jobe
The People’s Progressive Party has confirmed that it will formally join a new political alliance with five other opposition parties ahead of The Gambia’s coming elections, ending days of speculation over the party’s standing in the coalition talks.
In a video statement posted to the party’s official Facebook page on Friday, Kebba Nanko, the P.P.P.’s director of policy, implementation, media, and communications, said the party would sign a memorandum of understanding on the 14th with the Alliance for Democracy and Development, the Gambia National Alliance, the Gambia for All Progress Party, the United Democratic Party, and the People’s Alliance Party. The six-party bloc, he said, will operate under the name “Gambia First Coalition.”
Mr. Nanko said the alliance had its origins in talks between the PPP and the UDP, which later broadened to include the four other parties.
“The news circulating that the PPP has met with these parties and that an MOU will be signed on the 14th is true,” Mr. Nanko said. “Let everyone know: the PPP is part of it, and we are not out of it. This is the official confirmation from the PPP’s communication and media department.”
His remarks appeared aimed at putting to rest reports that the party had withdrawn from the coalition, a suggestion he rejected outright, saying the party remained fully committed to the process.
According to Mr. Nanko, the memorandum will first be presented to the party’s national executive committee for ratification before the coalition partners sign a formal agreement laying out a unified platform for the elections. He said the PPP was approaching the negotiations in accordance with its constitution and internal procedures and would not compromise on the party’s core principles.
He added that talks among the parties were continuing, with mediators involved to help guide the process.
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