Marie Sock is a businesswoman with a political mission. She wants to defeat President Adama Barrow in the 2021 presidential election and transform The Gambia. 

Ms Sock, a diasporan Gambia, revealed her political blueprint for The Gambia during a press conference in Bijilo on Saturday. She also revealed her plan to bridge the political divide among the opposition parties. 

She said she will  bring developments to various sectors of the country. She listed the economy, education, healthcare, women and youth empowerment, agricultural development, infrastructural development, job creation, combating crimes and increment of minimum wages as her priority targets.

Ms Sock is aiming to lead another opposition coalition to defeat the incumbent President Adama Barrow in next year’s presidential election. 

“I did emphasize that I am not looking to go and join. I am looking for them (opposition political leaders) to endorse me.

“The reason why I say that is if they endorse me as an independent candidate. I can break that barrier of political divide,” she said.

She however said even without the backing of political leaders that “I am ready to contest alone because there are sufficient women and youth behind me to make a big difference.

“My government will focus on ten fundamental areas to bring development to the doorstep of the masses within the next ten years (2021-2031).” 

According to her, she wants the country’s youth to start having voices, adding “I want the young girls to start speaking up.”

However, she faced a storm of mockery on social media hours after her press conference as some Gambians on social media posted her pictures in mockery.

But others however showered her with praises and encouragement, and thank her for joining the political race as there were few female political leaders. They urged her “to take up the challenge and never give up”.

Meet Marie Sock was born in Banjul. 

She attended St. Joseph’s High School in Banjul before moving to the USA for her university education

She owns a real estate and property management company. She is a divorcee with children. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba