Lamin Jawara, a prominent member of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has officially declared his bid for the party’s flagbearership, stressing the urgent need for fresh leadership to address the Gambia’s deepening socio-economic challenges.
Jawara said his decision was driven by the plight of young people struggling with unemployment, women facing poor healthcare, and an underperforming agricultural sector that remains untapped despite the country’s vast potential.
“The youth and unemployment are rampant, our women lack access to proper medication, and our agricultural sector needs empowerment,” Jawara told reporters. “We have the resources; what we need is government intervention through machinery and support for farmers.”
He argued that the Gambia’s fertile land, manpower, and natural resources could be transformed into engines of national growth if given the right political will and investment.
Jawara also commended the UDP’s internal democratic process and promised to support whichever candidate eventually emerges. He insisted that his ambition was not driven by personal gain but by a desire to see meaningful change in the country.
“I did not join the United Democratic Party to be given a position,” he said. “I joined the party to get the country where we all want it to be. Gambians should note that if there is no UDP government in 2026, there will be endless suffering in the country.”
As the UDP prepares for its leadership contest, Jawara’s bid underscores growing debates within the opposition on how best to position the party ahead of the 2026 presidential election.
