President Adama Barrow has waded into the deepening power struggle inside the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) with a stinging rebuke to Kanifing mayor Talib Bensouda and other youthful contenders eyeing the leadership crown.

Speaking in an interview with state broadcaster GRTS, Barrow said he was “flabbergasted” to see young politicians openly challenging veteran lawyer and former vice president Ousainou Darboe for the party’s top job.

“I have never challenged Ousainou Darboe for a position throughout my time at UDP,” he recalled of his days in the party.

“We always agreed with him on any decision he took.”

Barrow, who broke ranks with Darboe after becoming President in 2016, warned that the new wave of ambitious politicians risk undermining the very party elders who fought for the space they now occupy.

“The young ones should respect the elders who endured a lot to pave the way for them today,” he declared.

The President said the bitter tug-of-war for control of the UDP symbolises how much the party has changed since his time as a member.

“That’s why when I see him fighting over a position with these young ones, I say to myself that UDP has changed,” he remarked.

 “These young ones should respect their elders and know that you don’t force your way to success, because there is no short cut to success.”

Barrow’s remarks will likely inflame the already tense succession battle inside the UDP, where Talib Bensouda and other younger figures have mounted a bold challenge to Darboe’s decades-long dominance.

By Adama Makasuba