Halifa Challenges Youths To Take Responsibility For Choosing Next Gov’t

Halifa Sallah, one of the pioneers of the Team Gambia Coalition, has challenged young Gambians to take responsibility for determining the country’s political future, saying the 5th December presidential election offers an opportunity to change the government.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday after the coalition filed its nomination papers at the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Sallah questioned the absence of some young people who had previously taken to the streets to protest against poor governance.

“Let them come and march with me to here. They will go and burn tyres and protest that the government is misgoverning, but this is an opportunity now to change that government. Where are they?” he asked.

He urged young people to reflect on their role in shaping the country’s leadership rather than simply criticising those in power.

“Don’t talk about a government coming into power. What are you doing to prevent anybody from coming into power who will abuse power, who will make you poor, who will perpetrate injustice against you? That is the question,” he said.

He called on Gambians to engage fellow citizens and ask what kind of country they wanted after the election, arguing that the choices voters make will determine the kind of government they get.

Sallah also said citizens must accept responsibility for the governments they elect and should not wait until leaders abuse their powers before holding them accountable.

“People must accept responsibility that government comes through their consent. So all of us must become responsible. People who are not responsible will not have responsible governments,” he said.

The Team Gambia Grand Coalition brings together political parties, movements, independent aspirants and civil society organisations. It was formed following months of consultations aimed at building a common political platform ahead of the 5th December presidential election.

The coalition has since selected Lamin J Darbo as its presidential candidate but his nomination is pending at IEC over the clarification of dual nationality and not meeting the required signatures for nomination.