Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – Veteran opposition politician Halifa Sallah has poured cold water on growing speculation about his potential return to frontline politics, declaring that his focus remains on promoting systemic change rather than personal ambition.

Sallah, Secretary General of the opposition People’s Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), was responding to recent suggestions—sparked in part by comments from his longtime ally Sidia Jatta—that he could re-enter the political fray if public demand was strong enough.

However, in a candid interview with Star FM to be aired today, the revered statesman dismissed the question of his comeback as “irrelevant,” stating emphatically that his concern is not about returning to power but ensuring that Gambia’s political transformation continues.

“I know what I went through in 2016. I faced death, but I was not interested in protecting my life—only The Gambia as a whole,” Sallah said. “I was ready to swallow a bullet to save this country. And I believe the Gambian people knew about it.”

He went on to reflect on his 2021 presidential bid, during which he garnered approximately 32,000 votes. “That cleared all the doubts and demonstrated that I should not seek that mandate again,” Sallah said.

While he acknowledged that some Gambians still want him to stand for election, Sallah emphasized that their focus should shift to the ideas and vision he has championed—not his person.

“Those who want me to contest again should be reasonable enough to support anybody that I put forward,” he argued. “If anybody tells you it should be Halifa and Halifa alone, then that person is not serious. I am not interested in working with those who are seeking positions. And I will never ally with them.”

In his remarks, Sallah made it clear that his mission now is to support individuals who share his ideals, warning that clinging to personalities rather than principles would not advance the nation’s progress.

“If the Gambian people approach me to support them, I will do it,” he said. “But whether I will contest or not is immaterial, and I don’t want to talk about it.”

The veteran politician, known for his philosophical approach to politics and dedication to reform, reaffirmed that his decision not to contest elective office again was deliberate and rooted in what he believes is in the best interest of the country.

Sallah’s comments come amid heightened political conversations in The Gambia, as parties and figures begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2026 election cycle. Yet for him, the true battle remains unchanged: transforming Gambia’s political system, not recycling political personalities.

Source: The Standard