United Democratic Party (UDP) leader A.N.M Ousainu Darboe has issued a public call for unity within his party following several days of open disagreement and internal tensions that have played out across social and in the mainstream media.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Darboe acknowledged what he described as “public recriminations” between members and supporters of the UDP, warning that such internal wrangling risks undermining the party’s core values and long-standing credibility.
“The nation has been treated to a series of public recriminations among a handful of our members and supporters,” Darboe said. “What has compounded these public outbursts is the unfortunate involvement of leaders in varying degrees and manners.”
The UDP, the Gambia’s largest opposition party, has recently come under scrutiny as factional tensions and leadership rivalries have become increasingly visible. Although Darboe did not mention specific individuals, his remarks appeared to be a response to growing discontent among different camps within the party, some of which have expressed frustration over internal decision-making and future leadership direction.
Darboe reminded members that responsibility for the party’s integrity lies with everyone, from senior figures to new recruits. “The responsibility is not seasonal or momentary or ad hoc. It is a permanent trust,” he said.
He went on to praise the diversity and size of the party, describing it as a “big tent” with space for ambition and competition. He, however, warned that disunity, regardless of cause, only benefits the UDP’s political opponents.
“Our opponents desire to seek vindication in our disunity and the potential for failure that it entails,” Darboe said. “The surest way to make those opponents fail is to deny them the opportunity to vindicate their made-up minds.”
