The youth wing of the United Democratic Party has lashed out at the president of President Barrow Youths for National Development Dou Sanno.
The youth wing in a statement signed by secretary general Kemo Bojang on Monday accused Ansu Singhateh of trying to tarnish the image of the leader of UDP Ousainou Darboe.
The statement read: “It has come to the notice of the united democratic party youth wing that on the 9th of February through an online media platform, the national coordinator of the Barrow youths for national development made claims which have been found to be false and misleading.
“It can be recalled that on the 1st of December 2017, a celebration was organized at the buffer zone in Tallinding, where thousands of Gambians gathered to grace the one year anniversary of the change of government that average Gambians made a reality.
“On this same day, a group of Gambians launched a movement with the alleged aim of supporting the agenda of President Adama Barrow. As foreign affairs minister at the time, his Excellency Ousainou Darboe, current vice president of the Gambia and party leader of the great united Democratic Party graced the occasion.
“We will like to make it vehemently clear to the general public that Honorable Ousainou Darboe did not attend the celebration as the launch of the youth organization but as a stakeholder in the coalition government celebrating a year in office and the leader of the political party which has been struggling and fighting to see a liberated Gambia, from the grips of tyranny contrary to what was said and reported by a member of the president Barrow youths for national development.
“We will also want to make it clear that the party leader of the united Democratic Party has never requested nor has he ever worn a t shirt of this said movement or organization as alleged by this said individual. We will also want to point out that the accusation made against Honorable Ousainou Darboe being issued a membership card is also false and terribly misleading.
“It is rather unfortunate that we will go this low as a country to try and tarnish the image of great men and women who have given life and blood to see our country free. The UDP youth wing will want to make it categorically clear that we will not sit by and watch the name and image of our party leader be tainted in the name of gaining cheap political points. We will also want to remind these set of youths that the united Democratic Party is on course and will not be derailed by any ill intended motives.
“The United Democratic Party youth wing will also urge the president to remember that the country has a national youth council which was set up by an act of parliament to oversee and represent young people in the Gambia. We will want to urge him to disband this youth movement and work hand in hand with the national youth council when it comes to youth affairs.
“On a final note, as alluded by our party leader, we are assuring the president that we are in full support of this transitional government in its transitional mandate and the country’s national development plan.”
Editor’s Note: The UDP youth wing in its statement addressed Mr Ansu Singhateh as the national coordinator of Barrow Youth Movement when he is in fact the president. The national coordinator of the movement is Dou Sanno. We apologise for the misrepresentation of the facts which is due to the lack of care on the part of the UDP youth wing.
