By Kemo Kanyi
Fabakary Tombong Jatta, leader of the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), has criticized journalists for what he described as contributing to public confusion over the legitimacy and leadership of the party.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday during the APRC Congress held at the Pencha Mi Hotel, Jatta said the media was responsible for creating the impression that there were two recognized factions of the APRC.
He maintains that under Gambian law there is only one legally recognized APRC, which he says is the party he leads.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) recognizes the APRC under Jatta’s leadership. However, loyalists of former President Yahya Jammeh, who rejected the party’s alliance with the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), have continued to identify themselves as the APRC “No To Alliance” faction, a description frequently used in media reports.
“Our current issue with the No To Alliance is amplified by journalists. The reason I say this is because the law of the country recognizes only one APRC, and I challenge you, journalists, to find out from the institution responsible,” Jatta said.
He accused journalists of creating distinctions between the two groups by referring to his faction as “APRC-Fabakary Tombong Jatta” and the other as “APRC No To Alliance”.
Jatta also criticised civil society organisations (CSOs) and the media for what he described as their failure to support the APRC during what he termed difficult periods of harassment, discrimination and alleged unlawful dismissals from public employment following the change of government.
He said the party’s resilience was demonstrated when he and his supporters organised a political rally at the Buffer Zone, which, according to him, helped restore public confidence in the APRC.
Jatta said the party had remained resilient despite internal challenges and political difficulties, adding that the APRC would continue to defend its position within the country’s political landscape.