Veteran politician Halifa Sallah has called on Gambians to put national interests above partisan politics, arguing that meaningful political change must empower ordinary citizens and improve their living conditions.

Sallah maintained that attributing the victory that led to The Gambia’s political transition to a single political party misrepresented the collective effort that made the change possible.

He argued that the transition was achieved through the contributions of different political actors and citizens, stressing the importance of recognising the collective role played in bringing about political change.

Turning to the country’s current challenges, Sallah urged Gambians to rise above partisan differences and work together in the national interest.

He said genuine patriotism requires citizens to act when their country faces difficulties rather than remain on the sidelines while challenges continue to mount.

According to Sallah, those who genuinely care about The Gambia must be prepared to contribute to addressing the country’s problems, regardless of their political affiliations.

He further argued that changing governments would have little meaning if ordinary Gambians remained unable to exercise meaningful control over their political power and national wealth.

Sallah said political change must go beyond replacing one administration with another and deliver tangible benefits to citizens, particularly through efforts to reduce poverty, improve living standards and ensure that the country’s resources serve the wider population.

He maintained that empowering citizens to participate meaningfully in national decision-making and benefit from the country’s wealth should be central to any genuine transformation.

Sallah said these principles form part of the shared vision of Team Gambia Grand Coalition 2026, which seeks to unite Gambians around meaningful political and economic change.

By Adama Makasuba