Momodou Sabally, a presidential adviser, has described the conditions set by Mama Kandeh for joining forces with President Adama Barrow as “unrealistic”, drawing a sharp football analogy to underline his point.

Speaking on the political negotiations, Sabally said, “You cannot have a team led by Cristiano Ronaldo and then a local player from Serrekunda insisting he will be the captain and lead striker. I don’t see that happening.”

Despite the hurdles, Sabally welcomed the prospect of Kandeh and his Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) joining the development-oriented coalition.

“It’s a very positive sign if Mama Kandeh is showing the world that he actually wants to come together with President Adama Barrow,” he said. “For me, that’s the most important part of the conversation.”

By Adama Makasuba