APP Sobeyaa has confirmed it will join President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party (NPP), pledging to push for constitutional reform, economic changes and improvements to key public services.

The party’s Media Secretary General, Amfaal Mbye, announced the decision in a statement addressed to Gambians, party members and sympathisers.

Mbye said APP Sobeyaa had “finally agreed” to join the governing party to contribute its principles and values to national development.

He compared the partnership to the political approach of the late former Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli, saying his experience showed how leadership could be used to pursue changes in governance.

“The former Tanzanian President, the late John Pombe Magufuli, used the same style to salvage his country,” Mbye said.

He added that Magufuli had changed Tanzania’s governance narrative during his four years as president after serving for decades as a senior civil servant.

“So, Gambians, here we are as the Magufuli of The Gambia,” Mbye said.

The party outlined several policy priorities it intends to pursue through the partnership, including voting rights for Gambians living abroad, constitutional reform, the cost of living and civil service welfare.

APP Sobeyaa said it wants to promote what it described as “full political inclusion” for the diaspora and contribute towards a “new, people-centered constitution”.

It also pledged to advocate measures to reduce the cost of living and called for increased salaries and improved working conditions for civil servants.

On institutional reform, Mbye said the party wanted changes to the government framework to improve service delivery and tackle corruption.

“Rebrand the entire government framework for better service delivery, free from corruption,” he said.

Agriculture, healthcare and electricity were also identified as priority areas.

Mbye called for a “total revitalization” of agriculture, with the aim of achieving food self-sufficiency, while also demanding improvements to healthcare and electricity services.

“Our manifesto provides a broad and detailed explanation of these areas,” he said.

The statement did not specify the formal arrangements for APP Sobeyaa’s integration into the NPP.

By Adama Makasuba