The argy-bargy between a faction of the United Democratic Party (UDP) loyal to its Leader, Ousainou Darboe and the other faction (or to be more accurate Barrow Youth Movement) loyal to His Excellency President Adama Barrow shows no sign of abating.
Barrow Youth Movement (BYM) came into being in the last quarter of 2017 just before the Harmattan season, consisting of mainly UDP youths. Many political pundits reckoned the formation of BYM is the reason for the soured relationship between President Barrow and his now-sacked Vice-President.
UDP fanatics are opposed to BYM from the outset sensing the threat it poses to their party’s survival. But one thing people like about BYM is they are much disciplined, and always comport themselves well. Until recently, both President Barrow and Darboe handled the situation with utmost diplomacy, at least publicly.
Since the UDP’s congress in December 2018, Darboe upped the ante and went on an all-out attack, attacks fuelled by fear of partition of his party. He even threatened to expel card-holding members, including NAMs who side with BYM to the delight of the ultras. UDP mistaken Barrow’s timid demeanour for cowardice, issuing all kinds of idle threats. Their pseudo-intellectuals also joined the fray with demeaning comments towards His Excellency, even though some of them benefited handsomely from his government.
UDP are their own enemies
Ousainou Darboe and his party, UDP are their own enemies. Upon his release from prison, Darboe rubbished the memorandum of understanding (MOU) which brought together seven political parties and an independent candidate. He argued that the document was not signed and he will not append his signature to it because it is at odds with the constitution and will constrict UDP’s power. He came up with a so-called Tactical Alliance which he succeeded, gaining 31 NAMs, thanks to Barrow’s financial backing, but at a cost of disintegrating the coalition.
The MOU would’ve saved Darboe and Co today had they adhered to the agreement. Part of the agreement was the establishment of a “Governing Council” which should be responsible for political hiring and firing. So, all appointments or sackings will first go through the council and a consensus reached before the President can act. The constitution would’ve been amended in line with the MOU. Alas, Darboe and his lieutenants brushed that aside and went as far as alleging that the document was designed purposely to weaken the UDP.
Why UDP should be grateful to President Barrow
1. He exercised “prerogative of mercy” and released their party leader Ousainou Darboe from prison. Darboe was rightly convicted by the courts during Jammeh’s reign. He appealed his conviction in the new democratic dispensation and was rightly dismissed by the high court. President Barrow was under no obligation to pardon Darboe; he did it out of goodwill.
2. Amadou Sanneh, who was jailed for selling bogus asylum attestation; Lamin Dibba jailed for protesting without a permit back in April 2016; Kemeseng Jammeh, jailed for protesting without a permit back in April 2016; Femi Peters, jailed for protesting without a permit back in April 2016 plus a host of many other convicts were all pardoned by His Excellency.
3. Almost all parastatals and government agencies are headed by UDP stalwarts after weeding out Jammeh’s appointees. From Central Bank to SSHFC to Gamtel to GPA to GRA etc.
4. At Least three of the five nominated NAMs are all from UDP, which includes Speaker and Deputy Speaker thereby increases their majority in parliament.
5. President Barrow gave between D150K to D300K to all aspiring UDP MPs so they can secure a majority in the National Assembly to enable his government to carry out the necessary reforms.
6. The two most high-profile jobs on Ousainou Darboe’s CV are serving as Vice-President and Foreign Affairs Minister. Thanks to President Barrow for polishing his CV.
7. From the beginning, President Barrow literally handed over the government to Ousainou Darboe who abused the privilege. He turned the Foreign Affairs Ministry into a recruitment agency for his UDP members, creating unnecessary positions in embassies around the world, filled by riff raffs.
From the above (by no means an exhausted list) it is clear UDP owed President Barrow a debt of gratitude as opposed to the theory being peddled around by their cyberbullies. An average UDP supporter will tell you that Barrow should be grateful to UDP for offering him the platform to lead them into the presidency.
Let’s clear this lie. President Barrow never applied to be UDP’s flagbearer, but instead, it was the party’s top brass who approached him and prevailed on him to apply. They did so base on advice they received from soothsayers. UDP were not only fighting Jammeh politically but spiritually too. All the Marabouts they visited gave them a description of a candidate to choose which perfectly matched that of Adama Barrow. Ladies and gentlemen, this was the main reason behind Barrow’s selection as the flagbearer of UDP.
Adama Barrow reluctantly accepted the challenge despite the risk it posed to himself, his business and his family. He dipped into his savings, spent nearly two million Dalasi to sponsor UDP’s tour of the country without expecting any return for it. At the time there was no guarantee that he will win the coming election with or without the coalition. Had Barrow lost December 2016 election, he would’ve been in jail by now or at the very least have his business closed by Babili Mansa. So, who did who a favour?
With Darboe’s advancing age coupled with ill-health, President Barrow thought he was by default the candidate to lead the UDP for his second term bid. All his high-profile appointments came from the UDP hoping they will be content with that, but no. Mr President was naïve to think that. It seems some of us commentators know more about UDP’s political praxis than President Barrow.
Whilst UDP were in a state of shock, confusion and mourning, the rest of the populace revelled in at their misery, Mbarassing all weekend long. Is hard to find any sympathiser outside their circle, people threw in parties both offline and online. Stand-up comedian Ebou Bah aKa Serigne Thiapathioli couldn’t resist to have a pop at them and threw in a Facebook party for his “talibehs”.
Mr President can now have restful sleep with the knowledge that people are behind him. I have never seen Gambians celebrated someone’s sacking this much. Perhaps it is time for Ousainou Darboe to have a good look at himself.
Written by Saul Sarr
A keen follower of Gambian politics