The Golden Era Party (GEP) has formally parted ways with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), ending a short-lived partnership forged in pursuit of political unity ahead of the 2026 elections.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, GEP founder and leader Saikou Sawo announced the decision, citing internal dysfunction, factional interference, and a clash over priorities within the PPP. The split comes less than a year after GEP joined the PPP in a bid to create a formidable opposition front capable of challenging the status quo.
“When the Golden Era Party (GEP) joined PPP, our sole objective was to build a united front capable of delivering meaningful change for The Gambia,” Sawo said. “Our decision was guided by principle, collaboration, and a shared commitment to challenging the status quo in the national interest.”
Sawo detailed the careful process that led to the PPP-UDP Alliance Agreement. He said Party Leader Madikay Faal was kept fully informed throughout negotiations. A Central Coalition Committee, which included Sawo and other senior executives, was established to oversee the talks and provided regular briefings. The agreement was drafted by the PPP Policy Director and accepted by the UDP with only minor changes, with all internal approval processes completed.
The breaking point, according to Sawo, came with an advisory letter issued today concerning his participation in a UDP press conference on the supplementary voter registration exercise. He described the conference as non-partisan, focused instead on exposing serious irregularities—including thousands of omitted registrations—that could affect the 2026 polls.
“Any political party genuinely committed to free, fair, and credible elections should have welcomed and supported such efforts,” he said.
Sawo emphasised that GEP members had conducted themselves with “professionalism, discipline, and integrity” since joining the PPP and had never brought the party into disrepute. However, he expressed deep disappointment over what he described as undue influence by certain factions within the PPP.
“It has become evident that certain factions within the PPP continue to exert undue influence over the Party’s direction, despite the overwhelming support within the Central Executive Committee… for a strategic alliance with the UDP,” Sawo stated. He criticised “prolonged delays and unnecessary internal obstruction” that placed factional interests above the national interest.
In light of these developments, GEP will now refocus on rebuilding the party and seek alliances with partners who share its vision for genuine change.
“The Gambia deserves courageous leadership, decisive action, and a willingness to embrace new approaches that deliver tangible results for our people,” Sawo concluded. “My loyalty has always been to The Gambia and its people, not to internal political maneuvering.”
The departure marks yet another realignment in The Gambia’s fluid opposition landscape as parties position themselves for the crucial 2026 presidential election.
