Gambiaj.com – BANJUL, The Gambia – Essa Faal has defended his decision to enter a political alliance with President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party (NPP), saying the agreement is driven by national interest and institutional reforms rather than personal positions or financial benefits.
Speaking on Coffee Time on Monday, Faal said his party, APP-Sobeya, had initially planned to contest the 2026 presidential election independently and had invested heavily in preparations.
He said the party later assessed the political landscape and concluded that it could not win the election on its own. That assessment, he said, led to discussions with several political formations before an agreement was eventually reached with the NPP.
Focus on reforms.
Faal said the alliance was built around areas of policy convergence, including constitutional and electoral reforms, strengthening anti-corruption institutions, implementing outstanding recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), reforming the civil service and security sector, expanding health insurance, and increasing investment in agriculture.
“We are in a political partnership with the NPP,” Faal said, stressing that he remains the leader and secretary general of APP-Sobeya and is not a member of the NPP.
He also rejected speculation that he joined the alliance in pursuit of the vice presidency, a ministerial position, or financial benefits.
“I asked for no position. I was offered no position. I asked for no money. I was offered no money,” Faal said.
He maintained that the agreement is intended to secure reforms he has advocated for over the years, including the adoption of a new constitution and the operationalization of the Anti-Corruption Commission.
Acknowledges disappointment
Faal acknowledged that many Gambians, including some of his supporters, were disappointed by his decision and apologized to those who felt let down by the alliance.
He said he could not disclose details of the negotiations before the agreement was concluded because of strategic and confidentiality considerations.
On concerns about whether President Barrow could be trusted to fulfill the commitments contained in the agreement, Faal said he had personally met with the President before the arrangement was formalized and was satisfied with the assurances he received.
He nevertheless acknowledged that implementing the proposed reforms would ultimately depend on prevailing circumstances and the political choices of the government.
Faal also rejects suggestions that his political position has changed because of the alliance, arguing that the problems he previously criticized remain unresolved and are among the issues the agreement seeks to address.
“What was wrong then is still wrong now,” he said.
The APP-Sobeya leader further dismissed suggestions that the alliance was primarily aimed at securing government positions. He said any future role in government would depend on whether he believed he could effectively deliver in such a capacity.
Faal said APP-Sobeya’s focus is now on securing what he describes as necessary reforms for the country from 2027 onwards.
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