Halifa Sallah Says Team Gambia Will Consult Public Before Selecting Flagbearer to Avoid A Repeat of 2016 Coalition

By Makutu Manneh

Halifa Sallah, veteran politician and coordinator of the Team Gambia Grand Coalition, has said the alliance will consult Gambians before selecting its presidential flagbearer, seeking to avoid what he described as a repeat of the 2016 opposition coalition.

His remarks follow Monday’s announcement that Team Gambia had reached the flagbearer selection stage of its coalition-building process, with a candidate expected to be unveiled soon.

Mr. Sallah said the 2016 coalition selected its candidate without adequately informing the public about the terms of its agreement, leaving Gambians questioning its provisions even after the coalition’s electoral victory.

“This time, nobody will be selected until we go to the people and tell them exactly what we are going to do. That is the difference,” he said.

He said Team Gambia intends to pursue constitutional reforms, including transitional provisions that would make its proposed single-term presidential commitment enforceable.

Mr. Sallah emphasized that public consultation and political accountability would be central to the coalition’s approach, arguing that Gambians must be sufficiently informed to hold elected leaders accountable for unfulfilled promises.

He said the coalition’s ultimate objective is to empower citizens to exercise their sovereignty and prevent political leaders from misleading them or escaping accountability.