By: Fatou Krubally
Veteran politician Sidia Jatta has suggested that Halifa Sallah, despite declaring he would no longer contest for elective office, could still return as a candidate if the Gambian people call on him to serve.
Jatta, speaking on the PDOIS TikTok platform on Thursday, stressed that Sallah has not resigned from politics and remains an active force for national development.
Responding to questions surrounding Halifa Sallah’s political future, Sidia Jatta offered a nuanced perspective. “Halifa has not resigned from politics,” he said. “Halifa said he will not stand for an elective position. That doesn’t mean he has resigned.”
Jatta emphasized that Sallah, the long-standing chairperson of the People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), continues to work actively behind the scenes, contributing to political discourse and public affairs.
“Halifa is a human being in the country,” Jatta remarked. “If supposing Gambians want Halifa to be a candidate, Halifa cannot say, ‘I will not be a candidate.’” He went on to stress that Sallah, like any dedicated servant of the people, would have to respond to the will of the public if called upon.
Jatta’s comments appear to challenge the perception that Sallah has exited the political stage permanently. Instead, he portrayed the PDOIS leader as still deeply engaged, even without a formal role in parliament.
“He is not an MP; he has all the time at his disposal to do whatever he wants to do,” Jatta explained. “He said he will not stand for elective position, but he has never said he will not participate in politics.”
Sidia’s remarks signal that the door is not entirely closed on Halifa Sallah’s return to candidacy. While Sallah may have stepped back from contesting elections, Jatta’s words remind the public that leadership can still be shaped by popular demand and that political service doesn’t end with the last campaign.
