By: Fatou Krubally
An Islamic scholar, Musa Jallow, has announced plans to form a new political party ahead of The Gambia’s upcoming elections, sparking debate about religion and governance in the country.
In an exclusive interview with The Voice Newspaper, Jallow revealed that the proposed party, The Gambia Reformist and Development Party aims to address key national challenges, starting with security, which he described as “getting doomed.” “Without a stable nation, you can’t think of development,” he said, emphasizing the need to strengthen the country’s security apparatus and tackling economic and social issues.
Jallow brushed aside concerns that his religious background could influence governance. “This country belongs to all Gambians,” he said, adding that The Gambia is a democracy where citizens not individuals decide their government. “No one has the right to bring something Gambians don’t want,” he insisted.
The scholar, who identified himself as the party’s current leader, stressed that the party’s approach is rooted in knowledge and inclusive governance. “Things are based on knowledge,” he repeated, vowing to consult capable Gambians and prioritize their input. “We are coming to develop things not to bring something Gambians don’t want.”
Jallow named several key members of the party, including Abubakar Cham, Yasin Bah, and Omar Jeng, noting that the party’s leadership is composed mainly of youths. “The youths are the backbone of this country,” he said, pledging to work closely with them.
While open to alliances, Jallow cautioned against partisan politics overshadowing national interests. “Parties are just tools,” he explained. “Let us build The Gambia, not just parties.”
Asked about his plans to implement Sharia law, Jallow emphasized that any change must reflect the will of Gambians. “We are here to develop The Gambia,” he concluded. “Let us walk hand in hand, support each other, and build a brighter future.”
