By Seedy Jobe
The leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), ANM Ousainu Darboe, has called on Gambians to deepen national unity and collectively work toward a more prosperous and inclusive country in his Christmas Eve address to the nation.
Describing The Gambia as a country built on religious harmony, Darboe underscored the importance of tolerance and peaceful coexistence. “Ours is a nation of faiths. We take pride in our religious diversity and our long-standing tradition of peaceful and harmonious coexistence,” he said. “Virtually every Gambian family includes both Christians and Muslims, and this shared heritage of tolerance remains one of our greatest national strengths.”
Reflecting on the significance of the Christmas season, the UDP leader urged citizens to embrace values of love, compassion, humility, and service to others. He called on Gambians to show solidarity with the vulnerable and to renew their commitment to national development and social responsibility. “Christmas is a season that calls us to reflection. It reminds us of the enduring values of love, compassion, humility, and service to others,” he said.
However, Darboe expressed concern about what he described as the country’s continued stagnation, citing corruption, weak governance, and missed opportunities for democratic consolidation. He noted that despite the celebration of The Gambia’s Diamond Jubilee in 2025, “no determined effort was made to transition the country away from autocratic tendencies.”
“2025 marked our nation’s Diamond Jubilee, yet regrettably, no determined effort was made to transition The Gambia away from autocratic tendencies,” he said.
Outlining the UDP’s vision, Darboe said a future UDP government would pursue a markedly different development path.
“A UDP Government will pursue a different path. We will invest heavily in housing, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and key growth sectors as part of a comprehensive vision to build a resilient, inclusive, and opportunity-rich Gambia,” he said, adding that sustainable development and environmental protection would remain central to the party’s agenda.
The UDP leader also paid tribute to Gambians across various sectors for their contributions to national progress. He commended farmers, fisherfolk, public servants, healthcare workers, educators, security personnel, entrepreneurs, and private-sector actors for what he described as their dedication and resilience, noting that their efforts form the backbone of the nation.
“To our farmers, fisherfolk, public servants, healthcare workers, educators, police officers, entrepreneurs, and private-sector partners, I say thank you. Your dedication, resilience, and daily contributions form the backbone of our nation,” he said.
Darboe reserved special praise for the country’s youth, describing them as “the custodians of our nation’s future.” He pledged that a UDP-led government would prioritize quality education, skills development, entrepreneurship, and job creation to ensure young people can build viable futures at home rather than risking their lives on irregular migration routes, commonly referred to as the Backway.
Looking ahead to 2026, Darboe called on Gambians to approach the New Year with optimism and determination. “Let us enter the New Year with renewed faith in ourselves and in our country. Let us strengthen the bonds that unite us, extend kindness where it is needed, and recommit ourselves to building a Gambia that leaves no one behind,” he said.