Gambia’s longtime opposition leader, Halifa Sallah, has said his political party, PDOIS, sent an invitation “to CA (Citizens’ Alliance) and three other political parties for a discussion on coalition building for system change”.
In a signed statement released online, Sallah, said he was “still waiting for a response to to an invitation extended to CA” when the latter issued a statement this week.
CA in a press release also seen online said it initiated coalition talks among all opposition parties for a grand alliance back in September 2021.
“Apart from parties that have already thrown their weight behind Barrow, all the other opposition parties responded to this clarion call, except PDOIS.”
It added that talks started among ten parties, CA, Gambia for All (GFA), All People’s Party (APP), National Unity Party (NUP), Gambia Moral Congress (GMC), United Democratic Party (UDP), Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), Alliance for National Reconstruction and Development (ANTD), Gambia Alliance for National Unity (GANU) and Gambia Action Party (GAP).
According to Sallah, PDOIS was invited and did respond to the overtures from CA and collaborating parties.
“PDOIS is yet to receive any response to the proposals it has made…” Sallah declared.
CA in its press release said in the end five parties remained in the talks, and did reached an agreement to form a common front called Alliance for Change 2021.
It would be recalled that the CA and three other parties, in connection with the common front, signed an MoU on Wednesday October 27 during a ceremony held at a local hotel in Banjul.
