As The Gambia prepares for its first national assembly election in post-Jammeh era, more and more young people are expressing their desire to run for seats.

Already, some of them have started raising funds online for their campaign. Ousainou Bobb of Farafenni managed to rake in more than D4000 on his GoFundMe account.

Bobb’s fundraising coordinator, wrote: “The youths of Illiasa constituency both home and abroad have decided to come together to give substantial backing to Ousainu Bobb to run for MP and represent Illiasa constituency. He is undoubtedly qualified and has what it takes to "serve and protect" the interest of everyone in the constituency.”

Another dynamic, young politician who is throwing his hat into the ring for the Jeshwang constituency is Gambia Democratic Congress’s youth mobiliser, MC Cham Jnr. He is no stranger to Gambian politics after serving as a councillor.

MC revealed that 90% of his party’s candidates in the national assembly election scheduled to take place on the 1st April are young people.

“We have already started our mobilisation. In case you want to know, we also have female candidates,” he said.

According to youth activist Andrew Gibba, for democracy to flourish in The Gambia, there is the need for diversity and vibrant opposition.

“Democracy is about inclusion. The National Assembly is a constitutional body responsible for law making and oversight. These functions require innovation, energy, skill, and resilience. YOUTH possess all these qualities hence they should be given the opportunity to participate in governance.”

The election is expected to attract both local and international media attention.