A group of founding members, executive members, and regional chairpersons of APP-Sobeyaa have expressed their dissent over the party's alliance with NPP, citing a lack of due process and violation of the party's constitution. In a press release dated September 24, 2026, they stated that they do not recognize the alliance and demanded Faal's immediate resignation. The signatories included Deputy Party Leader Maila Touray and Regional Chairman Alhagie Babou Jeng.
The dissenting group claimed that APP-Sobeyaa was formed to establish a democratic, people-centered government focused on transparency, poverty reduction, job creation, and national development. They argued that the merger with Sobeyaa was based on these principles, but Faal's decision to join NPP deviated from them. The group accused Faal of violating the constitution and acting against the party's interests.
The APP-Sobeyaa leadership responded on September 25, 2026, dismissing the statement as unauthorized and not representative of the party's position. They claimed that the alliance was not Faal's personal decision, but rather a decision made by the National Executive after consulting with regional chairpersons. The leadership stated that members can disagree but cannot create a parallel position through the media.
The dispute sets the stage for a possible leadership and constitutional battle within APP-Sobeyaa ahead of the December 2026 presidential election. The party was registered by the IEC in January 2020 as the former All Peoples Party and later merged with the Sobeyaa Movement to become APP-Sobeyaa. Faal was elected leader at a congress on December 21, 2024.
The APP-Sobeyaa leadership emphasized that the party's constitutional processes provide mechanisms for legitimate disagreement and that a press release does not replace those processes. They urged members to follow the party's procedures for resolving disputes. The leadership also stated that they will continue to work towards the party's goals and objectives.
The rift within APP-Sobeyaa highlights the challenges faced by political parties in Gambia as they prepare for the upcoming presidential election. The party's decision to ally with NPP has sparked controversy, with some members questioning the move's implications for the party's future. The situation remains uncertain, with the party's leadership and constitution under scrutiny.
Key points
- Founding members of APP-Sobeyaa have rejected the party's alliance with NPP and called for party leader Essa Mbye Faal to resign.
- The APP-Sobeyaa leadership has dismissed the dissenting group's statement as unauthorized and not representative of the party's position.
- The dispute sets the stage for a possible leadership and constitutional battle within APP-Sobeyaa ahead of the December 2026 presidential election.
