United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Lawyer Ousainou Darboe received a thunderous welcome in the Upper River Region on Saturday, boldly challenging President Adama Barrow in what is widely seen as the incumbent’s political stronghold.
Darboe told thousands of supporters that granting Barrow a third term would plunge The Gambia deeper into economic hardship, accusing the president’s government of draining state coffers for personal gain.
But the rally was marred by tragedy. A vehicle carrying UDP supporters en route to the gathering was involved in a fatal accident, killing two party members the driver and a passenger and injuring several others. The injured were rushed to Bansang and Basse hospitals for urgent treatment.
In a solemn tribute, Darboe described the deceased as “heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country,” vowing that the UDP would honor their memory by pressing forward with its mission. “They have sacrificed for this country, and we must make them proud,” he declared.
The UDP issued a statement calling the accident “a deeply tragic and painful moment” for the families of the victims, the party, and the nation.
Despite the somber mood, Darboe urged supporters to remain united and reject tribal divisions. “Gambia belongs to all tribes. No one is superior to another,” he said, stressing that the party’s strength lies in unity and truth, not deception.
The rally underscored both the risks of political mobilization and the high stakes of the looming third-term debate, as Darboe seeks to challenge Barrow’s dominance in URR
