Barrow Welcomes Essa Faal Into Ruling Alliance, Declares December Election ‘Already Won’

By Makutu Manneh

President Adama Barrow on Sunday formally welcomed Essa Mbye Faal, the leader of APP-Sobeyaa and one of his former political critics, into the governing National People’s Party-led alliance, declaring that the new partnership had strengthened his confidence ahead of the December presidential election.

Speaking at State House during a ceremony formalizing the alliance, Mr. Barrow thanked Mr. Faal for accepting his invitation to join the coalition and described the agreement as a sign that political differences could be set aside in pursuit of a common agenda.

“In 2021, no one would have believed that Essa Faal would join me, but the time for that has now come,” Mr. Barrow said. “All the criticism directed at you is of no use, and what matters now is unity and developing the country.”

Mr. Faal’s decision to join forces with the president marks a significant political shift. He ran against Mr. Barrow in the 2021 presidential election and has since been a prominent critic of the administration.

Mr. Barrow said Mr. Faal’s entry into the alliance had reinforced his confidence in his re-election campaign, going so far as to declare that the December contest was “already won.”

Still, the president cautioned supporters against complacency, saying political opponents should never be underestimated. He urged members of APP-Sobeyaa, the NPP, and the broader alliance to intensify their campaigning, engage voters across the country, and work toward what he described as a decisive victory.

Mr. Barrow said such a victory would allow his administration to continue its development agenda.

He also sought to reassure Mr. Faal and other recent entrants into the alliance that they would enjoy the same standing as longtime members.

Those who have supported the alliance since 2016 and those joining now, Mr. Barrow said, would have equal rights within the coalition, emphasizing that its overriding objective was national development.