Ousainou Darboe, longtime leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has welcomed the party’s first open application process for leadership while warning members not to attack applicants as traitors.

The former vice president faces stiff competition, with ten party members stepping forward to contest the leadership ahead of the 2026 elections.

As divisions grow within the party, Darboe urged loyalists to respect all applicants and avoid branding anyone as a traitor.

He described the open application process as a reflection of the UDP’s democratic values, which must be “upheld and nurtured.”

Speaking after his vetting interview, Darboe said all applicants share a commitment to the party and to The Gambia.

“All those who have applied have the United Democratic Party at heart. They have The Gambia at heart. What I want to say is that no one should be condemned for having applied to be a candidate of the party,” he said.

The former foreign affairs minister also warned that attacking applicants would undermine the party’s principles.

“If we do that, we will be undermining our democratic beliefs. We must uphold and nurture these policies. No one should be condemned as a traitor or betrayal,” he added.

Darboe stressed that the process provides an opportunity for the UDP to demonstrate internal democracy and ensure a fair contest.

Personal attacks and attempts to discredit candidates, he said, would damage the party’s reputation and hinder its preparation for the upcoming polls.

He called on members to focus on promoting unity and upholding the party’s core values, rather than engaging in divisive tactics.

By Adama Makasuba