By Binta Jaiteh
The People’s Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) over the weekend held its congress ahead of the 2026 presidential elections, bringing together party delegates from across the country.
The two-day congress, held at Paradise Suites Hotel, focused on restructuring the party’s political agenda and strengthening its organizational framework.
Addressing delegates, PDOIS Secretary General, Hon. Halifa Sallah, urged Gambians to regard liberty, dignity, and prosperity as fundamental rights.
“Any political system that seeks to deprive citizens of liberty, dignity, and prosperity is not fit to exist, and the people must insist that it does not,” he said, adding that collective action was essential to national transformation.
Hon. Sallah notes that the Gambian constitution guarantees the right for citizens to establish political parties, which he said, have a responsibility to shape the political consciousness and will of the electorate.
He emphasized that political parties must develop clear programmes and policies covering economic, social, cultural, civic, and international affairs to effectively govern.
“We prepare candidates for the presidency, the National Assembly and local councils so that the values we believe in—liberty, freedom and prosperity—can be implemented by those in office,” he said, adding that political leadership begins with party education and discipline.
The Secretary General further underscored the importance of political education, noting that PDOIS had introduced structured membership programmes to ensure shared values and a common ideological outlook among its members.
Responding to critics who question the party’s ability to govern, Hon. Sallah argued that the country remained insufficiently liberated and challenged party members to intensify public education efforts.
“No opposition party has ever changed this country through the ballot box. The people must be educated to understand how to exercise their sovereign power,” he stated.
Meanwhile, PDOIS Chairperson, Sedia Jatta, described the congress as a defining moment for both the party and the country, citing the serious challenges facing the nation.
He said addressing those challenges required critical thinking and collective resolve, reminding delegates that PDOIS was founded to combat poverty, injustice, and ignorance.
“Crying cannot solve the problems of the country. It is through unity, struggle, and determination that injustice and poverty can be defeated,” he said.