By Seedy Jobe
The United Democratic Party (UDP) remains a participant in ongoing opposition coalition negotiations because its leadership has not formally notified the Coalition Mediation Committee (CMC) of any decision to withdraw, the committee’s chairman, Prof. Yerro Mballow, said Monday.
His remarks came amid uncertainty over the UDP’s status in the coalition-building process after reports that the party had walked out of a strategic session held on Saturday, prompting speculation that it had abandoned the talks.
Speaking on QTV’s morning program, Prof. Mballow said the committee had not received an official letter from the UDP leadership confirming such a decision, and therefore continued to regard the party as a member of the coalition process.
“As chairman of the CMC, I confirm that we have not actually received this official letter from the UDP leadership communicating a withdrawal,” he said.
Prof. Mballow explained that the UDP’s representative at Saturday’s meeting, Lamin Manneh, informed participants only that the party was “walking away from the session.” He said that statement did not constitute an official withdrawal from the coalition negotiations.
“Until we receive a formal communication from the party’s authorized leadership, it would be premature to conclude that the UDP has withdrawn,” he said.
The CMC chairman said the coalition initiative had continued to make steady progress despite recent tensions, describing the process as structured and inclusive. He noted that participating parties had already endorsed the coalition’s eligibility criteria and guiding framework, a document he characterized as the “constitution of our coalition.”
He also announced that the committee had approved nomination forms, formally opening nominations to political parties and movements participating in the coalition.
“Our doors are also open. The process remains inclusive,” Prof. Mballow said. “With the framework signed and the nomination now open, we believe we are on track to present a united front to the Gambian people.”
Acknowledging that disagreements among coalition partners were inevitable, Prof. Mballow said differences in political interests, leadership ambitions and strategic priorities were natural in negotiations involving multiple parties. He said the committee’s responsibility was to mediate those differences and help build consensus.
He added that nearly two weeks of strategic discussions had reinforced a shared conclusion among participants: that no single opposition party could unseat the incumbent government on its own, and that the country’s development would likewise require broad political cooperation.
Prof. Mballow also pointed to the UDP’s consistent participation in the talks as evidence of its continued engagement. According to him, the party has attended all 14 strategic sessions convened by the coalition, as well as every task force and general meeting held during the negotiations.
His comments leave the door open for the UDP to continue participating in the coalition process unless and until its leadership formally communicates a decision to withdraw.
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