Gambians
from different works of life have been celebrating the fall of the 22-year rule
of the government of Yahya Jammeh which was voted out at the 1st December
presidential election.
The
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on Friday declared that the incumbent
president, Jammeh, has lost the election to a political newcomer Adama Barrow,
who was backed by a coalition of seven political parties and an independent
candidate.
Mr
Barrow won with 43 per cent of the total votes cast and Jammeh, 40 per cent while
the third candidate, Mamma Kandeh of the Gambia Democratic Congress got 17 per
cent.
A
lot of the celebrants, mainly consisting of women and youth, said the change of
government is the beginning of a New Gambia as the incoming government promised
to give Gambians the freedom deserved and put an end to impunity.
Lamin
Camara, a native of Latrikunda Sabiji, said: “I feel good about the change and
I want the new government to make a massive reform in the justice system and
revive the economy and set a commission of enquiry.”
Kemo
Bojang, a resident of Bakau, said their celebration of the opposition victory
does not mean hatred to the incumbent government.
“We
don’t dislike Jammeh. No we don’t. We disliked his system of government and even
if Barrow also wants to also shift from the ideal democratic norms of
government, we will be up against him”.
Mariama
Jabang of Brikama said: “The new regime will change everything in the interest
of the citizens. I am confident of this
because the coalition knows the problems of Gambians and they would do
everything to address it.
“There
is high hope in this new regime.”
In
an online conversation, Ebrima Sallah, a Gambian based in Taiwan, said: “I feel
very happy and proud. I have never felt
like this in my life. We have gained our
freedom again.
“This
election result is an indication to the whole that power truly belongs to the
people. Every Gambian should be proud of this.”
Mr
Sallah said though he has high hopes in the new regime to deliver up to
expectation, he did not expect them to perform magic immediately.
“But
I believe with time, they will transform The Gambia greatly,” he affirmed.
He
explained that he has great trust in the coalition since it was formed because
it consists of “very strong and diverse team” that can put The Gambia in its
rightful place in the global arena.
Sallah
said Gambians should be united once again now that the politics has ended.
“Gambians
should unite behind the new government and work together for the betterment of
our dear nation,” he advised.
