Madam Marie Sock, leader of the Alliance of Social Democrats (ASD), is currently holding a press briefing in Bijilo, addressing key issues concerning the Gambian political landscape, including President Adama Barrow’s potential bid for a third term, youth migration to Spain, and the possibility of former President Yahya Jammeh’s return to the country.
Sock raised concerns about what she described as a lack of transparency within the Gambian government, stressing that this absence of openness undermines the trust citizens should have in their government. “There is absolutely no transparency in the Gambian government system,” she said. “This is a lack of respect to the citizens of The Gambia. As a citizen, it is your right to know how your government operates and what is happening in your country. Without transparency, it’s difficult to gauge whether the country is progressing for the betterment of its people.”
On the topic of President Barrow’s potential third-term bid, Sock called for the President to act with integrity. While acknowledging that the Gambian constitution does not explicitly limit presidential terms, she urged Barrow to step down after his current term. “I am begging him to please consider stepping down for the sake of moral integrity,” Sock stated. “This would allow Gambians to know where they are heading, and for him to maintain respect for himself and his family. Gambians are quick to forgive, but there needs to be clarity on the future direction of the country.”
Sock also expressed disappointment in the dynamics within Barrow’s political party, implying that party members may only support him because of his position as president. She suggested that some members of Barrow’s party are using him for their own benefit. “It’s like they are telling him that if he is not president, they won’t stand by him. They are pretending to strengthen his party while actually feeding off him like vultures,” Sock said.
