By: Sering Mass Jallow
Prominent legal practitioner, Melville Robertson Roberts has formally resigned from the United Democratic Party (UDP), a move that sent shockwaves through the party’s ranks.
Roberts, long seen as a staunch supporter and vocal member of the UDP, cited the party’s silence on allegations against Abubacarr Ba Tambedou, former Justice Minister and a senior figure in the Janneh Commission, as the reason for his decision.
In his resignation letter, Roberts said he made the decision “with a heavy heart,” expressing disappointment that the UDP has remained silent on what he described as disturbing revelations concerning Mr Tambedou’s role in the disposal of assets belonging to former President Yahya Jammeh.
An investigative report by The Republic alleged questionable transactions in the sale of the assets, casting Tambedou as a key enabler.
“I have been a committed member, believing in UDP’s professed values of accountability, transparency and the rule of law, values I held dear, which once gave me hope for a better Gambia. But hope without action is hypocrisy,” he wrote.
Roberts said he found it “disappointing and disgraceful” that the party continues to endorse Tambedou despite the unresolved allegations. He described the UDP executive’s silence as “deafening,” noting that no explanation has been offered to members who have demanded accountability.
He questioned whether the same tolerance would have been shown if the accused were an ordinary member rather than a high-profile figure, arguing that the silence “speaks volumes.”
“Accountability is reserved for the weak and downtrodden, but certainly not for the powerful and connected,” he stated. “Until the UDP finds its voice again and its backbone, I can no longer, in good conscience, stand under its banner.”
