By Kemo Kanyi & Fatou Krubally
Mamma Kandeh, leader of the opposition Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), has condemned government statements suggesting that citizens should question the development projects brought to their communities by opposition parties.
He described such claims as “shameful,” emphasizing that taxes paid by citizens fund government initiatives, not opposition parties.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to Konko Fulla village in the Lower Fulladu District, Kandeh urged citizens to reject these statements and reminded officials that national development is a government responsibility, financed from public resources.
“This is a shameful statement from government officials. It elicits deep feelings of disgrace, worthlessness, and moral failure,” Kandeh said.
He criticized remarks by President Adama Barrow and his allies as reflecting poor moral standards and a breach of the social contract between the government and the citizens. The GDC leader highlighted that opposition parties do not have access to national funds, which finance public services and privileges for government officials, including official vehicles, housing, medical support, and free air travel.
“Why would they compare themselves to the opposition?” Kandeh asked, calling on citizens to play a decisive role in national development. He challenged the Barrow administration to step aside if it cannot meet Gambians’ development expectations, and urged the government to learn from previous administrations regarding the management of national assets. He alleged that the current administration has sold former President Yahya Jammeh’s assets at prices disadvantageous to the country.
Kandeh also stressed the need for transparency and fairness in the country’s electoral process ahead of the December 2026 presidential election. He encouraged Gambians to embrace issue-based politics and reject personal attacks.
“Politics should be about policies, development, and progress, not personal attacks,” he said.
Outlining his party’s priorities, Kandeh said a GDC-led government would focus on fighting corruption, empowering women, transforming agriculture, and creating jobs, with development projects aimed at directly benefiting Gambians. He also criticized the current administration for shortcomings in healthcare, education, and employment.
During the rally, more than 50 supporters of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) from Konko Fulla and nearby villages defected to the GDC, citing corruption, insecurity, inadequate healthcare, and lack of employment opportunities. Party officials said these defections bring to over 300 the number of former NPP supporters joining the GDC in recent weeks.
Welcoming the new members, Kandeh called for party unity and reiterated his commitment to addressing grassroots concerns. “We are building a movement focused on real solutions for our communities,” he said.
Other speakers highlighted challenges facing women and rural communities, including limited access to healthcare, overcrowded hospitals, and shortages of clean water. Kaddy Touray from Brikamaba cited a case of a woman giving birth in an ambulance due to lack of hospital transport, calling for urgent reforms in the health sector.
Ablie Jallow, GDC Director of International Affairs, pledged to pursue agricultural self-sufficiency and establish vocational training centres to improve livelihoods. Meanwhile, Ndeye Fatou Jallow, the party’s National Women President, urged women to support the GDC, promising empowerment programmes under a Kandeh-led government.
