Ebrima Jaiteh, a Gambian native residing in the Netherlands since 2024, has expressed strong support for Ousainu Darboe, describing him as a "true leader" of The Gambia. Mr. Jaiteh, originally from Sankulay Kunda, Lower Fulladu West District, Central River Region, stated, "observing you in the Gambian political space has clearly manifested to me that you are a true leader of our beloved nation, The Gambia." He further added that Mr. Darboe promotes peace, humanity, love, and unity, noting, "Your type of good leadership is a significant example for every Gambian to learn from."
In contrast, Matarr Sillah questioned the current state of governance, posing the query, "Am I better off today than I was in 2016, when we united to remove Jammeh from power?" Mr. Sillah emphasized the need for Gambians to demand more from their leaders and institutions, advocating for votes to be cast for candidates offering "credible policies, accountable leadership and a genuine commitment to improving people’s lives."
Praise for Darboe and Local Grievances
Ebrima Jaiteh, a Gambian native residing in the Netherlands since 2024, extended gratitude to Baba Ousainu Darboe and his party following their visit to Sankulay Kunda. Mr. Jaiteh, originally from Sankulay Kunda, Lower Fulladu West District, Central River Region, stated, "Dear Editor, I, Ebrima Jaiteh, a Gambian native of Sankulay Kunda, Lower Fulladu West District, Central River Region, currently living in the Netherlands since 2024, wish to take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude to Baba Ousainu Darboe and his party militants, especially those who were with him on his familiarisation tour from URR, CRR, all the way to the city. My greetings to you all." He added, "It is an honour for me particularly seeing you and your delegation in my village, Sankulay Kunda, on 15th September 2026, to see and hear from my people about their dissatisfaction, and to witness firsthand the conditions in which they live." Mr. Jaiteh, who noted he was a Detective Police Officer before traveling abroad, asserted Darboe's integrity, stating, "Baba Ousainu, I was a Detective Police Officer before I travelled abroad, and to be honest with myself, observing you in the Gambian political space has clearly manifested to me that you are a true leader of our beloved nation, The Gambia." He further commented, "To say a few good things about you: it is clear to everyone living in The Gambia that you were not and have never been a criminal in the history of The Gambia. You are not a thief, and you are not a betrayer. Hundreds of thousands of Gambians can attest to this fact."
Mr. Jaiteh declared strong support for Darboe from his community, stating, "I want to declare to all political party leaders: everyone is welcome in our village. But I firmly believe your party’s arrival in my community stands out as the best in terms of the love the youths of Sankulay Kunda showed to the entire Gambian people, both home and abroad." He noted Darboe's engagement, saying, "Your type of good leadership is a significant example for every Gambian to learn from. You visit people even when there is no political campaign. You do it for humanity and to give advice on issues that will greatly impact Gambians and transform their living conditions." He further claimed, "As you heard from the youths of Sankulay Kunda, they are behind you 100 percent. Although there are some other political emperors in our village, you will defeat them because we have now realised they have been fooling us for their own selfish interest. No one can fool Gambians anymore."
Jaiteh also raised concerns about a local land dispute and criticized the current government's inaction. He mentioned a land dispute between Sankulay Kunda and Yerro Belli Kunda, stating, "You may have heard about the land dispute between Sankulay Kunda and Yerro Belli Kunda. I personally wrote an open letter to His Excellency President Barrow via social media for his government to look into that conflict and restore peace between the two communities, but up to now we have seen nothing and heard nothing from the government, especially the Minister of Lands and his Ministry. As it stands, we have no hope that this government will fix the problem." He clarified Sankulay Kunda's political stance, explaining, "To be truthful, we the community of Sankulay Kunda do not know how to blindly support politicians. Our politics is known: we always support the incumbent based on certain reasons — when living conditions are well taken care of and the rights of the people are respected." He expressed hope for future leadership, adding, "Baba Ousainu, we will patiently wait until the UDP government takes the State House in the upcoming elections on December 5th, 2026, so that everyone can have justice across the length and breadth of our beloved nation, The Gambia."
Critique of Political Shifts and Development
Matarr Sillah commented on the political landscape following Essa Faal's decision to join the National People's Party (NPP) and support President Barrow. Mr. Sillah stated that Gambians seeking change "must not lose hope" despite Mr. Faal's move, emphasizing the need to "continue demanding more from our leaders, our institutions and everyone seeking public office." He asserted that "Gambia deserves far better than what it has received." Mr. Sillah acknowledged Mr. Faal's autonomy, saying, "Essa is a grown-ass man with free will. He has every right to join the NPP, support President Barrow or make whatever political decision he believes serves his interests. He does not require anyone’s permission."
However, Mr. Sillah criticized what he described as Mr. Faal's misleading of Gambians. He argued, "What is not acceptable, however, is blatantly misleading Gambians and projecting an image that does not reflect who you truly are." Mr. Sillah elaborated that presenting oneself as an independent alternative, building public hopes around that image, and then making contrasting political choices is unacceptable. He added that "Gambians are entitled to question the contradictions between what Essa presented himself to be and the political choices he is now making." Mr. Sillah pointed out that the public's "desperation for progress" can lead them to "rally behind individuals who appear to offer inspiration," making them susceptible to overlooking inconsistencies and placing too much faith in personalities rather than principles.
Mr. Sillah also addressed the broader issue of development, noting that "Jollof is far behind most countries in development" when traveling across Africa. He specified that infrastructure is inadequate, public services remain weak, opportunities for young people are scarce, and many families continue to struggle. He observed that politics requires significant resources, which can leave well-intentioned Gambians vulnerable to powerful interests. Despite this reality, Mr. Sillah stressed that the public "must never allow it to lower the standards by which we judge those seeking to lead us." He urged every Gambian to ask themselves if they are "better off today than I was in 2016, when we united to remove Jammeh from power?" Mr. Sillah concluded that if the answer is no, then citizens "owe no politician your loyalty" and should support candidates who offer credible policies and accountable leadership.
Call for Accountable Leadership
Matarr Sillah urged Gambians to continue demanding more from their leaders and institutions, stating that The Gambia "deserves far better than what it has received." He affirmed that individuals seeking change "must not lose hope" despite political shifts. Sillah acknowledged Essa Faal's right to join the National People's Party (NPP) and support President Barrow, noting that Faal "does not require anyone’s permission" for his political decisions. However, Sillah criticized what he termed "blatantly misleading Gambians," arguing that presenting oneself as an independent alternative and then making contrasting political choices is unacceptable. He added that Gambians "are entitled to question the contradictions between what Essa presented himself to be and the political choices he is now making."
Sillah noted developmental disparities, observing that "Jollof is far behind most countries in development" across Africa, with inadequate infrastructure, weak public services, and scarce opportunities for youth. He suggested that the public's "desperation for progress" can lead them to "rally behind individuals who appear to offer inspiration," sometimes causing them to "overlook warning signs, excuse inconsistency and place too much faith in personalities rather than principles." Sillah concluded by urging every Gambian to ask, "Am I better off today than I was in 2016, when we united to remove Jammeh from power?" He advised that if the answer is negative, citizens "owe no politician your loyalty" and should support candidates offering "credible policies, accountable leadership and a genuine commitment to improving people’s lives."