By: Nyima Sillah
Lawyer Assan Martin has contended that the National People’s Party (NPP) and the United Democratic Party (UDP) have polarized the Gambia’s political system, saying both parties are always at each other’s throats.
“I don’t think it will be good for Gambians to allow the polarization to continue in 2026. The Gambia has been experiencing two-party systems of politics which is not helping our governance system for decades,” Martin told The Voice in an interview on Monday.
He claimed that over 50% of Gambians no longer believe in the current political system, adding that it is high time to truncate such a brand of politics.
“Gambians have the choices to choose from but what we are saying is for them to use good judgment to ensure that they give chance and allow a good movement that will help them to clean up the political system and move it to another level,” he stated.
The human rights lawyer cum politician hinted that the old culture of partisan politics has to change as people’s interests should override personal interests.
“A new wave is coming to address the problems in the country through a third option, leading to an alliance of concerned Gambians, who will join together and address the political system in the country. We should not allow the two-party systems to hold us hostage,” he stressed.
“We are coming in the form of a new alliance of independent concerned Gambians to make sure that the country is moved to another level. The alliance is coming with new dynamics in politics and a new direction. We cannot go with the old political system of the 1960s. We want the political bar to be raised,” he emphasized.
He explained that the movement would address the current situation, adding that if Senegal can do it, then The Gambia also can.
