Darboe Urges Young Gambians to Join UDP, Says Dec. 5 Election Can ‘Rescue’ Country

By Makutu Manneh

ANM Ousainu Darboe, the leader of the United Democratic Party, has appealed directly to young Gambians to join the opposition party, casting the Dec. 5 presidential election as an opportunity to wrest the country from what he described as a “cartel” that has captured the state.

“The Gambia is captured by a cartel, and it needs to be rescued from that cartel and put in the hands of Gambians,” Mr. Darboe said in an interview with Kerr Fatou. “If you want a better Gambia, join the United Democratic Party. I am talking to you, the youths.”

Mr. Darboe did not identify the individuals or groups he was referring to as a cartel or provide evidence to support the characterization.

His remarks come as political parties intensify efforts to court young voters ahead of the presidential election, with employment and economic opportunity expected to feature prominently in the campaign.

Mr. Darboe urged young people to look beyond social media when assessing conditions in the country, arguing that some of the political content circulating on Facebook amounted to propaganda and did not accurately reflect realities on the ground.

He pointed to the UDP’s recent 30th anniversary gathering in Brikama as evidence of the party’s appeal among younger Gambians. Mr. Darboe estimated that about 70 percent of those who attended were young people, including a significant number of young women. That estimate could not be independently verified.

On employment, Mr. Darboe sought to distinguish the UDP’s approach from ambitious numerical pledges to create jobs. He said the party would not promise to create 200,000 jobs for young people, but would instead focus on expanding opportunities and giving them greater prospects for economic advancement.

Mr. Darboe praised the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology for expanding technical and vocational education and training centers, commonly known as TVETs. But he argued that providing skills training alone would not be sufficient if graduates lacked the financing, equipment, and other support needed to put those skills to use.

He said a UDP government would seek to create an environment in which young Gambians trained in trades such as carpentry, auto mechanics, electrical work, plumbing, and machinery could establish businesses, find employment, and earn sustainable livelihoods.

For Mr. Darboe, the appeal to young voters formed part of a broader argument that the December election should be about more than changing political leadership. He presented it as a choice over whether young Gambians would have greater opportunities to build viable futures in their own country.