Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – A key militant of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Fatoumata Conta, has resigned from the opposition party and announced her defection to the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), citing unresolved grievances and alleged political interference in a police investigation concerning her assault.
In a resignation letter dated July 30, 2025, addressed to the UDP Secretary General, Conta expressed deep disappointment in the party’s handling of an incident in which she was violently attacked by fellow female UDP supporters during a so-called “reconciliation rally” in Yundum earlier this month.
The disturbing video of the assault went viral on Gambian social media, sparking public outrage and internal friction within the opposition party.
“I have not only endured the physical and emotional pain of that incident but have also faced immense frustration due to the party’s interference in the police investigation against those who attacked me,” Conta stated in her letter.
“This interference has deprived me of the justice and accountability I rightfully expected from a party that claims to stand for fairness and integrity.”
The UDP leadership has yet to issue a formal statement in response to the allegations, but the incident has fueled debate about internal divisions and the treatment of women within the party’s ranks.
Conta’s departure from the UDP comes amid growing criticism of how the party manages dissent and internal conflict. The Yundum incident, initially billed as a women’s reconciliation rally, ironically ended in violence and further fragmentation.
Many observers described the attack on Conta as a brutal display of factional tensions within the UDP, which has increasingly struggled to present a unified front in recent months.
In a separate letter addressed to the leadership of the NPP, Conta formally announced her allegiance to President Adama Barrow’s party. She praised the government’s development efforts and commitment to national unity, citing these as her reasons for joining the NPP.
“I believe that supporting President Barrow and the NPP is the best way to contribute meaningfully to advancing the national development agenda for the benefit of all Gambians,” she wrote.
The defection comes at a critical time for the UDP, which continues to position itself as the main opposition force ahead of future elections.
However, incidents such as the assault on Conta and her subsequent resignation risk undermining the party’s message, particularly on issues of internal democracy and gender equality.
Conta’s decision to join the ruling party is likely to be seized upon by the NPP as further evidence of growing public confidence in its leadership.
For the UDP, the episode serves as a sobering reminder of the need for greater introspection, accountability, and respect for the rule of law—values the party has long championed in its public rhetoric.
