Essa Faal Denies Seeking Position or Receiving D10 Million to Join NPP Alliance

By Makutu Manneh

Essa Mbye Faal, the leader of APP-Sobeyaa, on Sunday denied claims that he sought a government position or received D10 million in exchange for joining President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party-led alliance, saying his decision was motivated by what he considered the national interest.

Mr. Faal made the remarks at State House during a ceremony formalizing his political alliance with President Barrow ahead of the Dec. 5 presidential election. The agreement marks a significant political shift for Mr. Faal, who has been one of the president’s most outspoken critics.

“God knows I did not ask for any position in joining the ruling party alliance,” Mr. Faal said. “I did not join to get a position.”

He said he remained willing to serve the country in any capacity offered to him, drawing a comparison to his previous appointment as lead counsel to the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission.

“I will take whatever I am offered, and wherever I am invited to work for the country, I will work there,” he said.

Mr. Faal said Gambians should be prepared to serve when called upon, adding that he did not reject the opportunity to work for the TRRC and did not intend to begin turning down opportunities to contribute to the country.

His decision to align with Mr. Barrow has drawn criticism, including from some founding members and senior officials of APP-Sobeyaa, who have rejected the alliance and called for his resignation as party leader.

Mr. Faal said the political backlash had also been accompanied by what he described as false claims that he joined the governing alliance because he was financially struggling or had been promised money and senior government appointments.

He specifically rejected allegations that President Barrow had given him $10 million, insisting that no money had changed hands in exchange for his support.

Mr. Faal said his decision followed an assessment of the country’s political circumstances and his conclusion that joining the alliance was in The Gambia’s interest.

“If anybody sees me, they will know that I do not need anything from anybody,” he said. “I have been bestowed with knowledge, and no one can deny this in this country and the world. I have something I can take care of myself with.”

Mr. Faal said God was his witness that he had not received “any butut” for joining the alliance. He added that expenses associated with Sunday’s ceremony were jointly covered by himself, APP-Sobeyaa, and the NPP-led alliance.

He also said President Barrow, who was present at the ceremony, could contradict him if his account was untrue.

The terms of the alliance have not been publicly disclosed.

Mr. Faal’s comments come amid scrutiny over what, if anything, was negotiated before he agreed to support Mr. Barrow. Kerr Fatou previously reported, citing people familiar with the discussions, that talks included Mr. Faal’s longstanding dispute over land near the Tanji Bird Reserve and possible diplomatic appointments for some of his associates. Those claims have not been independently verified, and neither APP-Sobeyaa nor the NPP has publicly disclosed the full terms of the agreement.

Mr. Faal, who challenged Mr. Barrow as an independent candidate in the 2021 presidential election, later became leader of APP-Sobeyaa and has repeatedly criticized the Barrow administration over corruption, governance and accountability.

His decision to join the president’s coalition ahead of the December election therefore represents a notable reversal in his political relationship with Mr. Barrow and has prompted questions from both supporters and critics about the circumstances surrounding the alliance.