Opposition political parties today signed a memorandum of understanding to form political alliance in a bid to unseat President Adama Barrow in the upcoming presidential election in December.

They include Citizens’ Alliance, All People’s Party and Gambia Moral Congress.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Paradise Suite Hotel, Gumbo Alie Touray, said the deal seeks to effect change in December.

Touray said the past five years of Barrow government has not brought “any meaningful reforms”, adding that state institutions have been politicised. 

He added that there is decline in the quality of lives of citizens with poverty, hunger and inequality. 

Dr Ismailia Ceesay, leader of the Citizen Alliance, described the deal as “an historic day for Gambia’s democracy and development”, saying the deal is “a sign of Barrow’s exit from the presidency in December.”

 He said: “We realised that the country is at a stage where we have to suppress our egos and sacrifice our political ambitions.”

Ahmed Mai Fatty, leader of Gambia Moral Congress, said: “Our democracy is receding. Democracy is not only on the aspect of freedom of expression and personal prosperity. It’s what makes the human being who they are –  to have human dignity,” 

Dr Bai Ebrima Jagne, leader of Party said the alliance is a “beginning to the fall of President Barrow’s government”.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba