Darboe Warns Gambia Could Be ‘Gone Forever’ if Barrow Wins December Election

By Makutu Manneh

Ousainu Darboe, leader of the United Democratic Party, warned on Tuesday that The Gambia’s political future would be at grave risk if President Adama Barrow wins a third term in the December presidential election.

Darboe made the remarks on Sept. 22, 2026, during the signing of an alliance agreement between the UDP and Gambia For All at the UDP bureau in Manjai. The agreement formally brings GFA into the UDP-led Gambia First Coalition.

“If Adama Barrow wins this election, Gambia is gone, and Gambia is gone forever,” Darboe said. “And the only way that we can be rescued will be by means other than lawful ones.”

Darboe said he prayed that The Gambia would never reach a point where a government could only be changed through unconstitutional means.

Turning to his party’s agenda, Darboe pledged that a UDP-led government would introduce a new constitution, which he said Gambians have sought since 1996. He also promised to establish what he described as a republican security service free from political, ethnic and religious affiliations, as well as a politically neutral public service.

Darboe said he envisioned a civil service that would be “as neutral as colourless water” — one not identified by the yellow, brown or green colours associated with political parties. Advancement within the public service, he said, would instead be determined by merit.

He also pledged economic reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s economy.

But Darboe cautioned that those proposals would remain aspirations unless voters backed the UDP in the December election, urging Gambians to translate their desire for political and economic change into votes.