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Hadram Hydara
Ousainou Darboe, leader and presidential candidate of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has urged Gambians in the diaspora to mobilise resources, influence voters and return home to support his campaign, saying that the party’s sole focus ahead of December’s presidential election should be defeating President Adama Barrow.
Addressing the UDP Diaspora Convention in London on Saturday, Darboe described the upcoming vote as a defining moment for the country and appealed for greater support from Gambians living abroad.
“This election is a very consequential one. Our nation is at a crossroads. Our people are suffering. Our youths are desperate and hopeless. We must change leadership and redirect the course,” he told delegates. He added: “Our citizens want change and we offer the best opportunity to bring the change our people are desperately yearning for.”
Darboe accused the government of corruption and warned supporters not to be distracted by political attacks as campaigning intensifies.
“We have a corrupt and failed administration that is desperate to cling unto power because they are aware that defeat would not only stop at loss of power, but it would also trigger accountability,” he said.
The veteran opposition leader called on diaspora supporters to increase fundraising efforts and use their influence with relatives and friends back home to back the UDP-led alliance.
“We need your resources like what you are mobilizing here today to enable the party to reach every voter with our message of growth, hope and accountability,” he said. “Second, we need you to exert every influence you have with your family and friends to cast their ballot for the UDP led alliance.”
Darboe also encouraged registered diaspora voters to travel to The Gambia for the election and assist with mobilisation, logistics and polling duties.
“We also want your physical presence to cast your ballot for those of you who are registered and also to help with last minute mobilization, logistics and poll duties on Election Day. It will make a big difference and help us cross the line,” he said.
In a direct message to supporters, Darboe urged party members to avoid political quarrels and focus their attention on the incumbent president.
“Finally, I want all of us to be absolutely focused on the singular task at hand – and that is the urgent national duty of defeating Adama Barrow in December. He is the only opponent in this contest,” he said. “I urge every single one of you, at all times and under all circumstances, to focus on Adama Barrow and his NPP allies.”
He warned supporters not to respond to insults, allegations or provocations aimed at him, the party or its allies, arguing that voters were more interested in solutions than political exchanges.
“As strong as that instinct might be, I urge you not to respond because an uncontested lie is still a lie, and instead of responding to lies, you will better help our campaign by amplifying our truths,” he said. “Never forget we have only one opponent, and that is Adama Barrow. We are not competing against anyone in the opposition. We wish them well in their pursuits.”
The UDP leader also praised the contribution of diaspora chapters, describing them as central to the party’s growth through fundraising, diplomacy and voter influence.
“There is no political party in the history of our country with as broad a base as the UDP within the Gambian diaspora community,” he said.
Darboe used the occasion to reaffirm the party’s commitment to coalition politics, paying tribute to its alliance partners, including the recently joined GFA led by BB Darboe.
“Together we intend to provide voters with clear plans and policies that would lead to a better Gambia,” he said, while extending an invitation to other opposition parties that share similar values to join the alliance.
During the convention, he also paid tribute to several late diaspora activists, including Musa Ceesay, the founding chairman of the first UDP diaspora chapter established in France in 1997, as well as Omar Trawally, Sainey Jammeh and Mariama Touray, whom he credited with helping build the party’s international network.
Darboe thanked the UDP UK Chapter, led by Chairman Saihou Saidyleigh, for hosting the convention and praised party members for what he called three decades of loyalty, commitment and dedication to the party’s principles.
