Gambia political tensions rise ahead of December elections

Political tensions in The Gambia have escalated as the ruling government and the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) exchange accusations of plotting to incite violence before the December 5 presidential election.

Minister of Works and Infrastructure Ebrima Sillah accused the UDP of attempting to provoke unrest because the party fears it cannot defeat President Adama Barrow at the polls. Sillah also denied social media allegations that he and other officials visited the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) at night to obstruct the release of the voters’ register, stating he was out of the country at the time.

In response, UDP leader Ousainu Darboe accused the government of plotting to stage false disturbances. Darboe alleged that individuals associated with the ruling party might disguise themselves as UDP supporters to create chaos, which could then be used as a pretext to declare a state of emergency and undermine the election's credibility. Darboe maintained that the UDP remains committed to peaceful democratic engagement and urged supporters to remain vigilant against provocations.