Former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh is expected to publicly announce the position of his “No To Alliance” movement in the near future, according to National Assembly Member for Foni Kansala, Almameh Gibba.
Movement Rebuilding and Consulting
Gibba told The Standard on Wednesday evening that the movement is currently rebuilding its structures and engaging in consultations with its members. He indicated that the movement is likely to join an opposition coalition aimed at unseating President Adama Barrow, though he stressed that no final decision has been made.
“There is no signal that we would support the incumbent,” Gibba said, clarifying that the movement’s stance toward the current administration remains firmly oppositional. However, he added, “For other political parties who are opposition, I can tell you that we will join with a coalition.”
Conditions for Coalition
Gibba emphasized that the movement has not ruled out any opposition party, including coalitions forming around the UDP, UMC, and NDP. However, any final decision will be made by the movement’s executive, in consultation with Jammeh and supporters both in The Gambia and the diaspora.
“It will not be merely for the sake of joining a coalition. It would depend on the terms and conditions that we are going to put across to all political parties that we are going to join with,” he stressed. Among the movement’s key conditions is the return of Jammeh to The Gambia.
Potential Independent Candidacy
Gibba acknowledged that the movement has not closed the door on fielding its own presidential candidate if its conditions are not met. However, he admitted that joining a coalition offers “the bigger chance” of electoral success in December.
Jammeh’s Commitment to Return
According to Gibba, Jammeh is committed to returning to The Gambia to live as a normal citizen and to support peace and reconciliation efforts. “I can assure Gambians that Jammeh loves this country more than anyone can imagine. This is why he is very worried about the country’s current insecurity and committed to come home and support in that area,” Gibba said.
He added that Jammeh has assured them that his return will not pose any security challenge to the country or its people.
Historical Context
Jammeh ruled The Gambia for 22 years after seizing power in a 1994 coup. He was defeated in the December 2016 presidential election by coalition candidate Adama Barrow. Following weeks of political deadlock and regional intervention by Ecowas, Jammeh conceded and went into exile in January 2017. He has since been based in Equatorial Guinea, where he was granted asylum.
His absence has loomed over the former ruling APRC. The “No To Alliance” faction, which broke away from the Barrow-era coalition with the APRC, maintains loyalty to Jammeh and says his input remains decisive on electoral strategy.
Looking Ahead
With coalition talks intensifying ahead of December, Gibba called for patience among the movement’s supporters. “We are building and restructuring, coordinating, meeting our people and reconciling differences. When that is done, we will come up with who do we join as a coalition and that would be announced by Jammeh soon,” he said.
Source: ‘JAMMEH TO ANNOUNCE NO-TO-ALLIANCE POSITION SOON WITH HIS RETURN CRITICAL TO ANY AGREEMENT’