Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Renowned Gambian journalist, political commentator and activist Fatou Jaw Manneh took to her Facebook thread to sound an urgent alarm about the country’s political trajectory, offering a scathing critique of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), and the wider political class.

Her assessment, which has stirred passionate reactions on her thread, paints a bleak picture of governance, accountability, and the future of democracy in The Gambia.

The NPP: A Legacy of Manipulations, Betrayal, and Mismanagement

According to Manneh, President Adama Barrow’s rise to power in 2016 was a historic victory for democracy, symbolizing the collective will of Gambians to remove former dictator Yahya Jammeh. However, she argues that Barrow quickly squandered the trust placed in him.

According to her, Barrow “lacked the intelligence, vision, and leadership we desperately needed,” she asserts, accusing him of dismantling the coalition that brought him to power and turning his back on democracy activists, the diaspora, and victims of Jammeh’s brutal rule. Perhaps most contentious is Barrow’s decision to block diaspora voting, despite the vital role Gambians abroad play in the economy.

One of the most damning criticisms she levels against Barrow is his decision to align himself with former Jammeh APRC loyalists, including Seedy Njie, who had once worked to ensure Barrow never took office.

She further highlights rampant corruption, mismanagement of state resources, and a shocking decline in basic infrastructure, pointing to a failing electricity system that has left even the country’s main airport struggling to function.

Her starkest warning, however, is about Barrow’s bid for a third term. “Something that must be discouraged, even if he had done exceptionally well,” she declares, cautioning that the move threatens to return The Gambia to an era of indefinite presidential rule.

UDP: The “Biggest Opposition” With a “Cult-Like” Grip

Manneh’s critique extends beyond the ruling party to the largest opposition force, the UDP, led by veteran politician Ousainou Darboe. While acknowledging their discipline, organization, and intelligence, she paints a picture of a party that operates with a “cult-like mentality” and thrives on intimidation. UDP’s reputation for hostility and internal rigidity has led to concerns that, if given full control, they could become an unchecked force.

“They are an extremely dangerous party,” she warns, accusing them of fostering hostility, bullying opponents, and suppressing dissent. “Their politics is about absolute power and control, not about The Gambia,” she added.

According to her, the UDP’s aggressive tactics alienate voters who may respect their intellect but fear their approach to power. “They thrive on hostility, turning every disagreement into an all-out war. They rain insults on opponents like drunken sailors, harassing, intimidating, and threatening anyone who refuses to toe their line. Their obsession with power is so intense that even those who respect their intellect fear them at the ballot box,” she stated.

She also highlights their history of voter intimidation during the 2021 elections, particularly targeting so-called “foreign voters,” fueling an anti-immigrant narrative.

Their tendency to frame political losses as the result of foreign interference—particularly blaming Fulas and Senegalese—has further deepened divisions. Despite a strong intellectual base within their ranks, including leaders like Talib Bensouda and Rohey Malick Lowe, UDP’s political culture of confrontation continues to push voters away.

Manneh’s ultimate fear is what a UDP government might look like: “Imagine UDP in control of the armory, the army, defense, police, immigration, and intelligence services. Imagine that. Just imagine! Does Hitler. Mein Kampf. Ring a bell?” Her comparison to a totalitarian regime underscores her belief that unchecked power in UDP’s hands could be catastrophic.

The Broader Political Landscape: Who Can Gambians Trust?

Manneh does not spare other political players. She laments how Gambians have ignored the principled leadership of the PDOIS, despite their track record of honesty and integrity. “Instead of voting for integrity, we applaud thieves and demagogues,” she notes.

Mama Kandeh’s GDC is described as a “wild card,” with Manneh acknowledging his ability to articulate the struggles of ordinary Gambians. However, she sees his role as a spoiler in elections rather than a viable alternative.

Essa Faal, the lawyer who gained prominence through the TRRC, is given cautious optimism. Manneh sees him as a possible “breath of fresh air” but insists he has much to prove.

As for smaller parties like the GMC and CA, they barely register in her analysis, reflecting their limited influence in the national political equation.

An Appeal to Women and a Call to Action

Beyond critiquing the current political elite, Manneh issues a call for fresh leadership, particularly women candidates. She argues that the male-dominated political class has failed The Gambia, and it is time for women to step up.

Her final appeal is a rallying cry for Gambians to break free from recycled politicians and demand better leadership. “We must act now,” she urges, stressing that the fate of the country depends on rejecting both incompetence and authoritarian tendencies in favor of a new, untainted vision for The Gambia’s future.

“It’s time for bold, fearless women to take center stage: Lizzie Eunson, Touma Njie, Neneh Freda Gomez, Fatou Cham, Zeinab Darboe, Tukulor Sey, Niania Darbo, Ndey Jobarteh, Nancy Jallow, and Fanta SB Manneh – to name just a few from many. These women have the integrity, intelligence, and political acumen to lead—Desperate times call for bold measures,” she stressed.

Manneh’s assessment lays bare the deep fractures within Gambian politics. With a ruling party marred by corruption and inefficiency, an opposition force seen as aggressive and intolerant, and a population weary of broken promises, The Gambia finds itself at a critical juncture.

Whether the country heeds her call for new leadership remains to be seen, but one thing is clear from Fatou Jaw Manneh’s perspective: business as usual is no longer an option.