By Saloum Sheriff Janko

The ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) has relieved six of the party’s KMC executives from their posts party sources told Gambiana news on Monday.

The reason for their sacking, according to party sources, was in connection with their loyalty to the President Barrow Youth Movement for National Development, a movement which many believed is trying to divide the United Democratic Party.

Those relieved from their executive  positions  are Ounda Nyang, UDP Chairman KMC, Sambou Ceesay, UDP chairman Talliding Constituency, Mustapha Ceesay KMC Youth Secretary, Sanjally Darboe KMC head of Youth, Sanjally Sanyang deputy head of Youth KMC, Bunang Bass Konjira, UDP Party Secretary KMC and Fafa Sanyang whose fate is still unknown as we go to press.

In a rally at Serekunda over the weekend, Ounda Nyang said he was removed from his post as UDP Chairman KMC Division because of “UDP’s own insecurity” that he was a Barrow supporter.

Ounda was replaced by Falang Sonko, a prominent UDP activist. Mustapha Ceesay confirmed his removal from the party KMC executive.

Almamy Fanding Taal, the UDP spokesman, was contacted to shed light on the expulsion but said he was not aware of the sacking.

“I’m not aware of the removal of these mentioned executive members but I’ll contact the UDP KMC executive members for clarification.”

When contacted again Taal didn’t answer our telephone call.

The President Barrow Youth for National Development previously known as Barrow Youth Movement has changed its name again to Barrow Fans Club. The organisation is seen by many as a political party all but in name and an existential threat to the ruling UDP.

“We don’t support President Barrow Youth Movement, President Barrow Youth for National Development or President Fans club because it is similar to former president  Yahya Jammeh’s Green Youth,”said Alhagie Jobarteh, a UDP party activist.

The ruling United Democratic Party is the biggest political party at the moment in the Gambia with half a million registered members.