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Gambia oppostion parties pull out of coalition talks

Xinhua, September 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

Three opposition parties in Gambia have pulled out of the opposition coalition talks ahead of the country's December 1 presidential election, an inter-party mediation committee confirmed to Xinhua on Friday.

The newly formed Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), the National Reconciliation Party (NRP) and the People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) said they had reservations with some of the clauses in the coalition agreement.

"On Thursday, we met, and for us, we pulled out of the negotiation meeting because some opposition members have agreed to nominate an independent presidential candidate," Musa Sonko, NRP deputy party Secretary General said.

GDC Press Secretary Alhagie Essa Jallow meanwhile said part of the reasons his party pulled out of the talks had to do with funding and discrepancy over a large party clause.

Mediation committee chief Kebba Singhateh said the two parties pulled out with the GDC claiming to be the largest opposition party and that it should therefore have its candidate lead the coalition, but sources said a draft resolution sent to participating parties stated that the selected candidate must be a non-partisan candidate.

PDOIS Leader Halifa Sallah vowed to serve only one term if elected under a coalition but opposition leaders have been calling for a non-partisan independent candidate who be elected through a primary.

"The candidate must be presentable and saleable both nationally and internationally, has good moral and educational standing, come from a civil society group operating in Gambia and not affiliated to any political party, and meet the eligibility requirements," Singhateh said.

It is the second time for the opposition parties to fail for the opposition coalition to unseat president Yahya Jammeh who is coming to run for a fifth term. Endit