By: Fatou Krubally
As Gambia inches closer to the 2026 presidential elections, veteran politician and PDOIS secretary-general Halifa Sallah has issued a stark warning against repeating past political missteps.
Addressing the possibility of a coalition, Sallah emphasized that political alliances must not be rushed into without first addressing fundamental national issues.
Speaking in a recent interview, Sallah reflected on the 2016 coalition that ended Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year rule, stressing that while it brought about change, it failed to achieve its deeper objectives. He lamented that instead of a new political culture, Gambia remained a country where parties merely sought political office without laying the foundations for true democratic transformation.
“If we are to move forward in a new way, then let us start by asking ourselves the question: What is wrong with Gambia?” Sallah urged. “Only after answering that can we determine the right course of action. Once that is settled, forming a coalition becomes easy.”
Sallah cautioned against entering coalition talks without a clear national agenda, noting that the ultimate focus should be on eradicating poverty and creating a society rooted in liberty and prosperity. He argued that Gambians must move beyond the traditional approach of political bargaining and instead ensure that power is entrusted based on sound principles and programs.
According to him, political change should not be about individual ambitions but about a collective effort to build a just and accountable society. He further stressed that those who have wronged the nation must acknowledge their mistakes, seek repentance, and ensure victims receive proper compensation.
With election season approaching, Sallah’s remarks send a strong message to opposition parties: Without a solid foundation, any coalition risks repeating the failures of the past.
Whether his words will shape the future of Gambian politics remains to be seen.
