By: Kemo Kanyi
The spokesperson of the Coalition Mediation Taskforce Committee (CMTC), Assan Martin, has said discussions among political parties within the coalition framework are progressing steadily and in a positive direction.
Martin, a human rights and political activist recently appointed as the committee’s spokesperson, said the task force was established to facilitate dialogue and ensure the smooth formation of an opposition coalition ahead of the upcoming presidential election.
Speaking to The Voice newspaper after the committee’s eighth meeting held over the weekend at Metzy Hotel, he said all participating political parties are cooperating and contributing ideas to the process.
“The talks are going smoothly, progressively, and in the right direction. There is cooperation among all the political parties, and they are contributing significantly through their inputs, views, ideas, and suggestions in this coalition-building process,” he said.
Martin said the coalition process is currently focused on establishing committees and finalising key frameworks, including arrangements for selecting a flag bearer and defining the structure of the alliance.
He said the taskforce’s objective is to ensure that Gambians benefit from a united coalition, adding that governance arrangements must reflect agreements reached by all participating parties.
According to him, the aim of the coalition project is to promote national ownership rather than individual ambition.
“It is not about personality or who is going to lead, but about governance and ensuring that the coalition serves the interests of Gambians,” he said.
Martin added that mechanisms will be put in place to ensure compliance with agreed frameworks and to guide whoever is eventually selected as the coalition’s leader to work in consultation with all partners.