GFC-UDP-Led Alliance Pledges Inclusive Government, Rejects Ethnic Politics

By Seedy Jobe

The coalition led by the UDP has reaffirmed its collective endorsement of a joint manifesto, which a senior partner described as the product of inclusive and thorough consultation.

Bolong Sonko, Chief of Staff of Gambia For All (GFA), spoke on behalf of the coalition partners at the launch of the GFC-UDP-led Alliance manifesto at Paradise Suites Hotel. He said he was also representing GFA Secretary General Bakary B. Darboe and all coalition party leaders.

Sonko said every party leader in the alliance took part in preparing the document, and he commended the UDP for the professional and inclusive way it was drafted. Despite time constraints, he said, the UDP waited for all partners to join before opening discussions and invited parties that had already drafted their own manifestos to submit them for harmonisation.

He said this approach assures alliance members that under a UDP-led government, no one will be left behind or “forced off the bus.”

According to Sonko, the coalition jointly defined the challenges facing the country and the policy measures needed to address them, making the manifesto a product of collective effort and shared commitment. He said it demonstrates the UDP’s readiness to lead an inclusive, transparent, and democratic government and sets out the coalition’s goals, principles, and proposed legislative agenda.

He described the manifesto as a social contract that will allow citizens, the media, and opposition parties to hold elected officials to account. It will also give the coalition a clear roadmap for turning campaign promises into laws and budget allocations, he said.

Turning to the political climate ahead of the December elections, Sonko cautioned against the use of ethnic politics. He said the coalition rejects any attempt to politicize ethnic differences and condemns politicians who exploit ethnicity to stoke fear for political gain.

“For us in the Coalition, where others see ethnic differences, we see complementarity,” he said, adding that the country’s ethnic diversity is a strength. A UDP-led government, he said, would harness that diversity for productive work that advances individual success and collective socio-economic progress. He described ethnic politics as “political bankruptcy.”

Sonko said the coalition stands for a state governed strictly by the rule of law, in which citizens are free to pursue their dreams with the state’s support to develop their full potential.

He said Gambians face a clear choice in December: to regress further, or to embrace change towards a better Gambia under a responsive government.

He urged Gambians at home and in the diaspora to support the alliance’s flag bearer, Ousainu Darboe, whom he said has shown unwavering commitment to the country. He also called on citizens to bridge their differences to build a progressive and prosperous nation for future generations.