The leader of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), Hon. Mamma Kandeh, delivered a fiery address at a political rally in Kiti over the weekend, sharply criticising the Coalition 2016 and issuing a stern warning to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), regarding the upcoming 2026 election.
Speaking at the rally, Kandeh berated the Coalition 2016, labelling it a “combination of hungry people with a myopic view.”
On corruption, the GDC asserted that the level of corruption witnessed under Barrow has been unprecedented in Gambian history since independence.
“This government think the people of this country are sleeping, but those in power are the ones sleeping because they think Gambians are fools,” the GDC leader declared.
Reacting to rumours that he might join the National People’s Party (NPP), the GDC leader emphatically dismissed the rumours, stressing that after years of work by the GDC, no one should assume the party would simply join another political entity.
However, Kandeh clarified the GDC’s stance on working with other like-minded political entities, noting, “The GDC has no problem to work with other parties that have the interest of this country at heart.”
He further addressed his relationship with President Barrow, stating, “When President Adama Barrow calls me, I will respond.” Kandeh, was, however, quick to clarify the context of his utterance, saying that answering President Barrow’s call for an audience “does not determine that they have come to terms.”
Despite recognizing Barrow as the president, Kandeh said: “By 2026, I can also be the president of this country.”
A significant portion of Mama Kandeh’s speech was dedicated to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). He issued a strong admonition against what he called the repetition of alleged electoral irregularities in 2016 and 2021.
“I am warning the IEC, what happened in 2016, 2021, let it not repeat itself. Gambians are saying enough is enough,” he stressed.
Kandeh demanded that the IEC acts as a “fair referee,” treating everyone equally and recognizing that all are Gambians. He warned that the era of a “few individuals being better than others” has ended and that this would not be tolerated in The Gambia again.
He insisted that anyone given a position must perform their duties and responsibilities diligently and be respected but added that no one should be allowed to take away the rights of Gambians.
“We cannot suffer for five good years, campaigning, talking, fighting for five good years and the person in charge of the Independent Electoral Commission to brainwash us, those days are gone,” he stated.
Despite his criticism, the GDC secretary-general offered a measured congratulations to the newly elected members of the IEC, praying for their success. However, he followed this with an unequivocal warning: “But if they fail to do the right thing, whatever befalls us is what happens. We will not compromise in this 2026 election.”
He reiterated specific past grievances against the electoral body, stating that the IEC nearly burned the country in 2016, citing alleged irregularities in the 2021 voter registration process.
“The IEC gave a date for registration and when it was time to close the process, they went behind to register some people and that is not right,” he concluded.
