The United Democratic Party would not even welcome the vote of anyone who asks the party to support former President Yahya Jammeh, the party’s spokesman has said.
Almamy Taal told The Fatu Network exclusively: “We would not even welcome their votes. If they’re going to come and make the position that ‘you have to support Jammeh or you have to forget about Jammeh – that is the only condition we’re going to vote for you’.
“Quite frankly, I can tell UDP does not want those votes. That position is non-negotiable for UDP. It’s like asking for me to overlook something that is illegal, that is wrong, that is condemned universally and that is still in controversy.
“And I don’t also accept the premise… There is a very small minority of people who are committed, who are interested in white-washing the Jammeh era and Jammeh legacy. The stronghold of APRC or Jammeh’s stronghold is in Foni. The five constituencies of Foni, Sanimentereng alone has more voters than them, Kombo South has more voters than them.
“Our commitment is that Jammeh must face justice. But of course it would be difficult for a UDP government that has a serious programme for the Gambian people who are alive and here, to be expending capital in trying to go after Jammeh so that he meets the justice that he richly deserves. In fact our focus and our international efforts, diplomacy, will be directed towards strengthening the ICC, the International Court of Justice to make sure that characters like Jammeh face justice.”
