Ousainou Darboe, leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has criticised self-serving  politicians who are hell-bent on hijacking the new found democracy for personal glory.

Darboe who was speaking at a rally in Bakoteh on Saturday condemned politicians bragging about their contributions in the fight to restore democracy to the country.

He didn’t name check any politician but many consider his attack to be aimed at President Adama Barrow.  

In a recent interview with the state broadcaster, GRTS, President Barrow boasted of  being at the vanguard in the fight against Jammeh and of achieving the impossible feat of defeating Jammeh in the polls.  Darboe however begged to differ as he launched a broadside against Barrow.

Darboe told his cheering supporters that it was Solo Sandeng who was the catalyst for change and paid the ultimate price by challenging a repressive regime. He said it was Solo Sandeng selfless act that spurred Gambians to take action and end the Jammeh dictatorship. He added that Gambian politicians should not take credit for the regime change and forget Solo Sandeng.

“Today, we’re all getting selfish. We all stand at platforms saying, ‘I did this’.  But we forget what is referred to in Latin as Causa Causam – the cause of the cause. That is Solo Sandeng. He is the primary cause for Gambia’s liberation.

“But we stand and say, ‘I did this, I did this’ while forgetting that it was Solo Sandeng’s bravery that pushed people to go out and protest.

“If we didn’t go out, nobody was going to win that election, whoever you might be. Nobody! We should all pay tribute to Solo Sandeng. We should all acknowledge Solo Sandeng’s supreme sacrifice.

“He was the cause and we should all acknowledge that. If we didn’t, then we are being ungrateful, we are not being truthful to ourselves. We have gone through a lot.

“No one should come forward and say, ‘I did this.’ That’s not true. We have in our midst people who have actually truly led the struggle, not some of us who are claiming to be the people who defeated Jammeh.”

Darboe, the current vice president, also addressed rumours about his presidential ambition. He said he would be proud to lead The Gambia when he turns 73 in 2021.

“I am saying that I am not desperate to be president of The Gambia but I will be proud to lead The Gambia when I am aged 73. I will be proud to do that. Buhari is more than 73 years. There are a lot of them,” he said.

“So if they say I am old, I agree… They sit and say he’s not contented. What is there to be not content about? They’re there saying he’s old. I agree. I thank God. They said we are ANC. Nelson Mandela at 72 walked out of prison and led South Africa.”