The APeX Initiative has rejected the reasons given by the All People’s Party (APP) Sobeyaa for withdrawing from the ongoing opposition coalition negotiations, saying the claims are “not factual.”

In a statement, APeX said it received APP Sobeyaa’s withdrawal letter by email at 4:23am GMT on September 6, about 12 hours before the final negotiation session.

The statement followed the circulation of the APP Sobeyaa letter online, prompting APeX to clarify its position in what it described as being in the public interest.

While acknowledging APP Sobeyaa’s right to withdraw from the negotiations, APeX said the party’s reasons incorrectly suggested that the negotiating parties had disagreed over power-sharing arrangements.

APeX also rejected the suggestion that changes had been made to the draft coalition agreement in violation of rules agreed by the parties.

“APeX wishes to make a simple clarification that what is in APP Sobeyaa’s letter as reasons for withdrawing is not factual,” the statement said.

APeX said it had formally raised its concerns with APP Sobeyaa but would not engage in further public discussions on the matter.

The initiative thanked Gambians for their patience and support, saying it remained committed to the pursuit of “a Gambia that is better for all.”