Halifa Sallah has authored a new book, "The Impasse," which aims to foster a national conversation on Gambia's political direction following the 2016 transition. The book, titled "The Impasse," seeks to provide Gambians with a full understanding of the events that shaped the country’s political shift, helping the nation learn key lessons from that period. Sallah stated the book is intended to provide Gambians with an opportunity to understand the events that shaped the country’s 2016 political transition, thereby helping the nation learn key lessons from that period. "I promise that I will tell the Gambian people what happened. This is what happened. It will be circulated far and wide," Sallah affirmed. He emphasized the book's purpose is to prompt dialogue, stating, "This will be circulated and it will be discussed. It will be interrogated. It will help the debate, the dialogue that we need." Sallah further urged a "non-partisan national dialogue on what happened in 2016 and what we ought to do to really build a Gambia that we can all claim to be our homeland." He also noted that the book would contribute to a wider national dialogue about the country’s future, aiming to explain the formation of the opposition coalition that ultimately ended former President Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year rule.
Documenting the 2016 Transition
Halifa Sallah, who served as spokesperson for the 2016 opposition coalition, indicated that his new book, "The Impasse," was specifically written to document the events that transpired during that key period. The book was written to document what happened during the 2016 period, offering a detailed account for national reflection. Sallah presented a copy of the book to the audience during his appearance on QTV’s State of Affairs programme, which was hosted by senior journalist Alieu Ceesay. During his discussion, Sallah showed a copy of the book to the audience, showing its tangible presence in the national discourse. He recalled that one month prior to the 2016 elections, a convention had convened to select a flag bearer for the coalition. "We were all here in 2016. One month before elections, we had a convention, selected a flag bearer. Second December, we were told that the flag bearer won," Sallah stated, adding, "So who knew who this flag bearer was? Where was the template that he could win an election? Where did he ever stand to be elected? A completely new person. But by the force of necessity, that person ultimately won an election."
Sallah characterized the subsequent events, including an "impasse," as significant. He described the events that followed the election, including an impasse, as significant, marking a critical juncture in the nation’s history. "There was an impasse," he noted, "But ultimately, the person who even went to the National Assembly to extend his mandate on the state of emergency ultimately left and the country went into the hands of the person who won. That’s also not an ordinary development." He recalled that the 2016 coalition successfully brought together different political groups under a common cause, a feat that demonstrated a unique moment of national unity. Sallah stated that the book aims to provide clarity on these events, telling the Gambian people what happened. "I want those who are the coalition members, those who actually built it, to read it. If I said anything here that did not happen, it is their duty to interrogate it and tell the nation," Sallah emphasized. He added, "But if we end up accepting that this is what happened, then the next conversation is: what do we do?"
Sallah chose not to elaborate on the most challenging moments of the 2016 coalition negotiations during the programme, stating he would address them during the book launch, reserving those details for a more focused discussion. He also referenced the slogan utilized during the coalition period, "one Gambia, one nation, one people," noting a current decline in this unified sentiment. "We used to say one Gambia, one nation, one people. Who is saying that now? We are so divided," Sallah observed. This observation shows his concern for the current state of national cohesion.
Lessons for National Unity
Halifa Sallah has challenged former members of the 2016 coalition and other stakeholders to scrutinize the contents of "The Impasse" and respond if they find any inaccuracies. Sallah maintained that discussions concerning future political alliances should only commence after Gambians have a clear understanding of the events of 2016. He firmly believes that discussions about future political alliances should not begin before Gambians understand what happened in 2016, emphasizing the importance of historical clarity. He described the 2016 coalition experience as an unusual political development that warranted deeper reflection from the nation. According to Sallah, the events of 2016 demonstrated that political actors were compelled to prioritize collective goals over individual interests, a critical lesson for future political engagements. The 2016 experience, he said, showed that political actors had to look beyond individual interests to achieve a common objective.
Sallah further stated that the core issue in 2016 was the prevailing national situation, which necessitated specific actions, rather than focusing solely on the individual holding office at the time. He stated that the issue in 2016 was the situation that demanded actions, not the person in office, noting a focus on systemic rather than personal factors. He cited the recent border dispute with neighboring Senegal as an example of contemporary national issues that require a broad Gambian consensus to resolve effectively. Sallah emphasized the country's need to comprehend both the successes and failures of the political transition before charting a path forward. He observed that Gambia currently faces fragmentation and division, a stark contrast to the unity seen during the transition period. He lamented that the country is fragmented and divided, signaling a departure from the unified spirit of 2016.
The release of Sallah's book is intended to equip citizens with the necessary information to make informed decisions regarding the country's future trajectory. Sallah stated that the release of the book is intended to provide citizens with information to make informed decisions about the country’s future, empowering them in the democratic process.
Future Direction and Citizen Power
Halifa Sallah emphasized that voters possess the ultimate power to determine their governance, describing this as the essence of a sovereign republic. He stated that voters hold the power to determine who governs them, calling it the joy of a sovereign republic and a fundamental aspect of democracy. He further stated that elections serve as the direct expression of citizens' authority to select their leaders, reinforcing the democratic principle of popular sovereignty. Sallah urged the populace to actively seek information and base their decisions on knowledge, asserting that an informed citizenry is key for a functioning democracy. He encouraged citizens to seek information and make decisions based on knowledge, advocating for an empowered and well-informed electorate. The veteran politician indicated that Gambia still needs to re-establish a sense of national unity, which he believes was present during the 2016 political transition. He said the country still needs to rebuild a sense of national unity that he believes existed during the 2016 transition, suggesting a return to that spirit of cohesion.
Sallah conveyed that his primary concerns for the nation revolve around national unity and persistent economic challenges. He stated that national unity and economic challenges are his biggest worries for the country, outlining key areas requiring urgent attention. He noted specific difficulties confronting young Gambians, including issues of migration and the struggle to secure economic opportunities within the country. Sallah pointed to challenges facing young Gambians, including migration and difficulties in finding economic opportunities, showing the urgency of addressing youth welfare. Sallah posited that resolving these challenges necessitates a collaborative effort involving contributions from the government, political parties, and individual citizens. He said solving these challenges requires contributions from government, political parties, and citizens, emphasizing a collective responsibility. Despite the obstacles, Sallah expressed optimism regarding the country's future. "Hope must never be lost because power belongs to us," he stated. Sallah concluded by affirming his conviction that Gambians possess the capacity to ignite a new spirit towards achieving the Gambia they desire, one that can safeguard all citizens and guarantee dignity, liberty, and prosperity. He is convinced that Gambians are capable of igniting a new spirit towards the Gambia they want, one that can save all, and guarantee dignity, liberty, and prosperity, offering a hopeful vision for the nation.
Call for Reflection and Dialogue
Halifa Sallah stated his book aims to explain the formation of the opposition coalition that ultimately ended former President Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year rule. He anticipates "The Impasse" will contribute to a wider national dialogue regarding Gambia's future direction. Sallah emphasized that the key debate for Gambians should focus on understanding the events of 2016 and how the nation can achieve unity. He stated that the key debate for Gambians should be what happened in 2016 and how they can be united, framing the central questions for national discourse. He articulated that if something is truly worth building, it will not fail and will instead stand strong. Sallah said that if something is worth building, it will not fail and will stand strong, conveying a message of resilience and purpose. Sallah underlined that Gambians themselves must determine what is worth building for their country. He stated that Gambians must decide what is worth building, empowering citizens in shaping their national destiny. He expressed hope that "The Impasse" will foster a conversation about how Gambia can move forward and establish a lasting legacy, a legacy built on understanding, unity, and shared purpose. Sallah hopes "The Impasse" will help create a conversation about how the country can move forward and build a lasting legacy, serving as a catalyst for future progress.