The Gambia’s biggest opposition party, United Democratic Party, have blasted President Adama Barrow for forming an alliance with former president Jammeh’s ruling APRC party.

In a statement reacting to the APRC-NPP alliance, the party said Barrow’s coalition agreement with Jammeh was “borne out of expediency at the expense of the Gambian people’s aspirations for justice and reconciliation.

“This alliance demonstrates that President Barrow has no moral qualms, no understanding or appreciation of the raison d’etre of the democratic forces coming together to end the dictatorship of former President Jammeh. 

“He lacks empathy for the many victims of Yahya Jammeh’s repressive rule and the sacrifices made to usher in a transition to democratic dispensation.

“Just like the Constitutional review process and the Janneh Commission, President Barrow has proved that he has no respect for either constitutional or legal processes established by the Gambian people for justice, peace and reconciliation to prevail in this country.”

“If the utterances of a key stakeholder in the Alliance is anything to go by, then in blatant abuse of his powers as president of this country, the President has put himself above the will of the Gambian people by undermining the TRRC and again showing that he has neither interest nor respect for the outcome of the TRRC.”

The party added: “We caution the APRC supporters and sympathisers that this is just a gimmick by President Barrow and his cohorts to seduce them to vote for him. He has no power or intention to deliver on his promises. He is not a partner to be trusted. Any person or institution that takes President Barrow’s promise or pledge does so at his/her peril.”