Two opposition groups have joined forces by coming together under the banner of the Gambia For All (GFA) ahead of presidential polls , the groups revealed in a statement issued out over the weekend.
According to the statement, Gambia For All (GFA) Party and the Patriotic Progressive Alliance (PPA) movement have agreed to merge into a single political party following successful discussions between officials of the two groups.
The statement noted that the relevant competent organs of both organisations unanimously approved the fusion, describing the decision as being in the supreme interest of the country.
According to the parties, their discussions revealed shared views on major national challenges as well as agreement on policies and programmes considered necessary to achieve meaningful political and socio-economic change.
The groups expressed concern over what they described as the negative impact of decades of poor governance, mismanagement of resources and corruption, which they said had weakened state institutions and undermined effective public administration.
They pledged to work towards rebuilding state institutions through governance reforms, including the adoption of a new constitution aimed at strengthening democracy and ensuring a greater balance among the three branches of government.
The proposed reforms would also focus on improving judicial services and access to justice, enhancing transparency through electoral reforms, modernising the civil service and revitalising the national economy to increase productivity and support social services, with particular emphasis on women and youth.
The merger, the statement added, represented a significant step in ongoing efforts to unify opposition forces into a stronger political bloc capable of driving political change in the country.