By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT
It would certainly be a historic moment in Gambian Politics for sitting President Adama Barrow to participate in tomorrow’s [20th November 2021] presidential debate organised by the Commission on Political Debates (CPD). So far only three out of six presidential candidates have confirmed their participation in the debate. The debate is set to feature Essa Mbye Faal (Independent), Abdoulie Ebrima Jammeh (National Unity Party) and Hon Halifa Sallah [People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism’s (PDOIS)].
This means that UDP Leader and former Vice President Ousainu ANM Darboe, Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) Party Leader Mama Kandeh and current incumbent President Barrow of the National Peoples Party (NPP) have still not confirmed their participation in tomorrow’s debate. Our medium questioned the UPD Leader on his willingness to debate other political leaders at the launch of the UDP’s 5 Point Agenda / Manifesto.
2021 Presidential Aspirant and Political Leader Debates
Hon Halifa Sallah has already participated in what many view as the first presidential debate of the year. The debate featured a seasoned politician, Hon Halifa Sallah, going up against a politician at the beginning of his career in Citizens’ Alliance party leader Dr Ismaila Ceesay. The debate focused on the success of the 2016 Coalition which ushered the change in Government from former President Jammeh to current President Barrow. A second debate was also organised for Independent Presidential Aspirants and a third one gave a platform to senior ranking female politicians from Political Parties. All three debates were organised by Paradise TV Mogul Haruna Drammeh.
Shifting attention to the upcoming debate just this week the CPD announced that Fatoumatta Ceesay from state-run Gambia Radio and Television Services and the former Secretary-General of the Gambia Press Union, Saikou Jammeh will moderate the debate. According to a press release by the CPD, the moderators will question Presidential Candidates on 5 thematic areas; Health, Education, Agriculture, Infrastructure and the Economy.
Will UDP Presidential Candidate Ousainu Darboe Debate Other Party Leaders?
However, back in 27th August 2021, this medium questioned the UDP Leader’s willingness to debate other party leaders. The opportunity presented itself at the launch of the UDP’s 5 Point Manifesto. Certainly, the same question could be asked of every presidential candidate yet to confirm their participation in tomorrow’s presidential debate. Below is the exchange capturing the question and response from UDP Spokesperson.
Yusef Taylor: Is the party leader Hon Ousainu Darboe willing and ready to debate other party leaders so Gambians can make an informed decision in the run-up to the December 2021 Elections?
UDP Spokesperson Almamy Fanding Taal: The Party Leader will debate any formal process that is put in place. If you ask Muhammed Ali to box with Yusef Taylor you are asking the wrong question. (Loud applause from supporters)
Ousainu Darboe was the former Vice President of The Gambia. He was the former Foreign Minister of the Gambia. He is the leading contender for the 2021 Presidency. The most important debate we will want to have is with President Adama Barrow.
We have heard about debates in the Gambia and it’s not very difficult to win debates you must just be able to have punchlines, soundbites. It’s very easy to do that. We can do that even in our sleep.
The United Democratic Party is calling for a wholesale transformation of the political discourse. Because sometimes the debate can become an exercise in just who can speak English better than the other. And I don’t think any Gambian seriously doubts the ability of the deputy doyen of the Bar to debate not only in the Gambia but anywhere in the world.