Darboe Welcomes NDP as Full-Fledged Party, Calls UDP Best Partner for People’s Cause

By Seedy Jobe

ANM Ousainu Darboe, the secretary general and party leader of the United Democratic Party, has congratulated Kebba Madi Bojang’s National Democratic Party on attaining full political party status and expressed hope that the two parties could work together to advance what he described as the interests of Gambians.

Speaking Saturday at a UDP-led alliance rally in Kotu Quarry, Mr. Darboe thanked the NDP leadership for attending the gathering and welcomed its transition from a political movement to a fully fledged party.

He said he expected the NDP’s constitution and manifesto to share common ground with those of the UDP, arguing that many of the issues Gambians have sought to address since 1996 are the same ones his party has championed for decades.

Mr. Darboe said the UDP’s political struggle had never been directed against individuals or groups, but was instead intended to advance the interests of Gambians.

He said he believed the NDP shared that objective and suggested that cooperation between the two parties could help further their respective political goals.

“And I believe that the NDP, you are also interested in fighting for the people’s cause, and you can have no better partner in doing so than the UDP,” Mr. Darboe said. “And I hope that we can have some kind of cooperation that will further the will of the Gambian people.”

Mr. Darboe also thanked B.B. Darboe and his delegation for attending the rally, describing their presence as a sign of goodwill.

He said accepting a political rival’s invitation demonstrated a willingness to engage and expressed hope that the various groups represented at the gathering would work together in the months ahead.

Mr. Darboe said the country’s next political chapter would require experience, knowledge, commitment, and sincerity, qualities he said would be necessary to restore what he described as The Gambia’s lost dignity.