By Makutu Manneh
Saikou Mballow, a presidential adviser to President Adama Barrow and a senior member of the ruling National People’s Party, has sharply criticized Essa Mbye Faal, the leader of the APP-Sobeya party, questioning his credibility and accusing him of falling short in his role as lead counsel of the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission.
Mr. Mballow’s remarks came during an appearance on Kerr Fatou’s “Politic Kacha” program on Tuesday, where he responded to recent comments by Mr. Faal suggesting that The Gambia’s economic outlook would deteriorate if President Barrow secured a third term.
“Are you surprised by Essa’s statement?” Mr. Mballow said. “Gambians gave Essa a responsibility, and he failed us. He did not complete his mission at the TRRC.”
He went further, alleging that Mr. Faal used his position at the commission as a platform to pursue political ambitions. “He was using his position as TRRC lead counsel to contest elections,” Mr. Mballow said.
Framing his criticism as a broader question of public trust, Mr. Mballow argued that both Gambians and President Barrow had placed confidence in Mr. Faal, only to be let down. “He should have completed his mission and presented his report,” he said. “That was not what he did. He jumped the gun.”
Mr. Mballow suggested that Mr. Faal’s current political messaging may struggle to gain traction. “Now, if he is shouting, no one will listen to him,” he said, while acknowledging Mr. Faal’s constitutional right to seek elected office.
He also mounted a defense of President Barrow’s tenure, pointing to what he described as unprecedented development gains. The progress and privileges experienced by Gambians under the current administration, he said, “have not been seen in the past 50 years” of the country’s history.
The exchange reflects a broader intensification of political rhetoric as The Gambia moves toward its next presidential election. With a supplementary voter registration exercise underway, political figures have stepped up nationwide tours, media appearances, and public statements, seeking to shape the narrative ahead of the vote.
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