By Omar Bah
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has announced its immediate withdrawal from the Coalition Mediation Committee talks on opposition coalition building citing fundamental disagreements over the structure of a proposed opposition alliance.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party said its leader Ousman Madikay Faal has directed PPP representatives to exit the talks, emphasising the party’s firm stance in favour of a party-led coalition model.
The PPP argued that political parties remain the constitutional foundation of representative democracy and must retain a central role in any coalition arrangement.
The party warned that adopting an independent-led coalition framework could undermine political party structures and weaken democratic institutions over time.
According to the PPP, such a model risks eroding party identity and could set a precedent that extends into National Assembly and local government elections, ultimately destabilising The Gambia’s multi-party system.
Despite its withdrawal from the mediation process, the PPP clarified that it remains open to coalition-building efforts. The party reaffirmed its willingness to engage with registered political parties that share its commitment to a democratic, inclusive, and party-driven alliance.
The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of the PPP’s dedication to constitutionalism, national unity, and principled political engagement, stressing that its decision is rooted in long-term democratic considerations rather than a rejection of opposition cooperation.