President Adama Barrow has described his political alliance with former president Yahya Jammeh as an act of national reconciliation.

Mr Barrow made the statement at a political rally in Banjul yesterday attended by thousands of APRC and NPP supporters. 

The two parties recently made a coalition deal to join forces for the presidential election in December. 

Mr Barrow, who named himself as the bus driver, told the rally: “Today, what happened in The Gambia, I can say it has never happened anywhere in the world. 

“This is a sign of national reconciliation and is very important for national reconciliation.”

“Anyone who aims to participate in developing this country, anyone who has money and aims to develop this country, then come join the bus. 

NRP is on the bus, PPP is on the bus, NCP is on the bus, GPDP is on the bus, NPP is on the bus and APRC has joined the bus,” he added.

The parties said in a statement “The coalition is warming up for the 4th December election,” adding “President 

Barrow is ready to go for victory.”

The alliance however stoke condemnation among Gambia’s opposition and Civil Society Organisation, who accused President Adama Barrow of “endorsing [the] brutality” of former President Yahya Jammeh’s regime.

It also split APRC as defiant supporters formed a breakaway group called No Alliance Movement aimed at disrupting the APRC-NPP coalition. 

President Barrow, who defeated Jammeh in 2016 poll, is seeking a second five year term in office.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba