The Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) has since its inception been a subject of political discourse. The reasons are in manifolds. The party is the newest entrant in the country’s domestic political scene. Its leader, Mamma Kanteh, is a former APRC parliamentarian. He’s the first in 22 years of the Second Republic to form his own party after falling out with the ruling party. His courage is thus extolled, but to others, he’s an enemy within the already divided opposition.

But one thing Mamma Kandeh could not so far shroud in his mystery is his party’s ethnically biased composition. Like the UDP is being accused of being a Mandinka party, the GDC’s ethnic organ is showing.   

Mamma Kandeh is a Fula from Jimara. The party’s Information Secretary, Essa Jallow, is also a Fula from Brikama. The party’s first press conference was held at Boababs, a resort owned by a Fula. All the renowned executive members of the party are Fulas.

The composition of the GDC executive is leaving many wondering whether the party is a tribal association.

Facuru Sillah, a Serahule and former student union leader, was at the initial stage of the party’s formation identified as the no.2 man, but he was later left in the cold for reasons that the GDC is yet to reveal.

Unsurprisingly, Facuru recently went on an epic rant against Mamma Kandeh.  According to him, the presidential aspirant is dodgy.

“Exactly one year ago, I was called No.2 in the effort to establish Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) at his invitation. It's all a lie now and I hereby dissociate myself with Mamma Kandeh and GDC,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

He went on to disclose that on Saturday while on his way to Senegal, he bumped into Mamma and his followers onboard the ferry crossing Banjul-Barra.

“We shook hands and greeted. Then he stooped in shame and went into his car. We were about three meters apart for most of the time. When the ferry landed, we parted ways: he headed east along the north bank of the Gambia, and I headed toward northern Senegal; Dakar, to be precise.”

According to Facuru, the GDC Fula boys call him brother but he wonders how genuine such brotherhood is.

“I have nothing to regret in parting with them, but the moment is ripe to make it public that I'm not with GDC. Things started going wrong with the leader's disappearance in October 2015. Their intentions are shrouded in doubts, and their ways are wayward.”

Is GDC a tribal association?

To answer this thorny question What’s On-Gambia is planning to have an interview with Mamma Kandeh.