There was much surprise on Friday when President Adama Barrow named Dr Isatou Touray as his new vice president after sacking Ousainou Darboe.
In a press release, the State House wrote: “H.E. A.N.M Ousainou Darboe has been relieved of his cabinet appointment as the Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, and Honourable Dr Isatou Touray, Minister of Health has now been appointed to the position of Vice President.”
According to a source, the appointment of Dr Touray was an advice from the president of Senegal, Macky Sall.
“I don’t know how true it is, but I heard he was advised to eliminate all his potential rivals as he prepares to establish his own political party to run for second term.”
She added: “As he did to Fatoumatta Tambajang and Darboe, he would also sack Dr Isatou Touray disqualifying her from running for president. Section 62 (a) of the Gambia Constitution states a person who, while holding public office in The Gambia has been compulsorily retired, terminated or dismissed from such office, shall not be qualified for election as president.”
A controversial figure at times, Dr Touray was the minister of Health and Social Welfare. She is expected to be sworn in as the new vice president before the end of the month.