By Makutu Manneh
Lamin Manneh, Administrative Secretary for External Affairs of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has accused Mayor Talib Bensouda and others who later left the party of undermining UDP’s efforts since 2021.
“The problem we have is those who left, the campaign and the organizing—they were not doing the job they were supposed to be doing, and sometimes when some of us try to step in, Ousainu will hold us back and say, “If you give them a role, let them perform it.” We cannot do anything that looks like we are undercutting them,” Manneh said.
Manneh also described the Unite Movement for Change (UMC) as “a cancer that cut off itself,” noting that sometimes matters need to be allowed to unfold naturally. According to him, UMC members eventually revealed their true stance, demonstrating a lack of commitment to democratic principles. “But they said no, it is my candidate or the highway. So they took the highway.”
Manneh added that he and others had repeatedly warned the party leader about these individuals, but their concerns were dismissed. “He is such a loyal person, and when he vests his trust in you, he does not take it back easily,” Manneh said of the party leader.
Ebrima Dibba, former UDP Deputy Organizing Secretary and now a UMC member, responded to Manneh’s claims, expressing disappointment and dismay upon learning from the interview that Manneh and others had allegedly been engaging in character assassination against them with the party leader.
“So on the whole they were going to the party leader talking about us when Allah knows we were working for the party and the party leader,” Dibba said.
Dibba also questioned Manneh’s role during the struggle against dictatorship, noting that while they faced attacks and violence in places like Kanilai and Mankamang Kunda, Manneh was reportedly at the UN and not actively speaking out or writing on the matter.
He urged Manneh to focus on UDP’s programs rather than targeting their movement, adding that he would not tolerate attacks from senior UDP members. Dibba also claimed that Manneh joined UDP in 2021 primarily for personal gain, specifically seeking the position of foreign minister.