Kebba Ceesay
By Buba Gagigo
In a resignation letter dated October 27, 2024, Kebba Ceesay, a founding figure of the Citizens Alliance Party (CA), formally announced his departure from the party, highlighting a “fundamental difference” between his vision and the current direction of CA.
“It is with great sadness that I tender my resignation as a founder and initiator of the Citizens Alliance Party (CA) effective today, 27th October 2024. My vision for a political party fundamentally differs from the current direction of CA. I believed CA was established to serve as a genuine alternative to the ruling party, where citizens could unite and collaborate with other opposition parties for a better Gambia. My intention was to work diligently, challenge the status quo, and provide constructive advice, while steadfastly refusing to align with a government that has led our country toward a disastrous future,” he said.
Ceesay emphasized that aligning with the current government contradicts his core principles, values, and respect for the trust placed in the party by the public.
“Many, like me, have expressed their disappointment in the broken promises and the leadership’s failure to address the pressing issues facing our country. Instead, CA has joined the very government that is bringing misery upon us. Even CA’s constitution is against a third term, and many of the policies being implemented contradict our core values,” he said.
He expressed disappointment over CA’s decision to join forces with a government they had previously criticized for issues ranging from corruption to a failing healthcare system.
“With everything we have said about this government ranging from corruption to women dying in hospitals, the terrible healthcare system, unemployment, unacceptable educational standards, rising crime, the suffering of citizens, increasing poverty, and the injustices we’ve just witnessed, including the president suing journalists and opposition party executives just to silence them, it is unacceptable and shameful that we would align with the same government responsible for such poor governance, which is precisely why CA was created to be an opposition,” he said.
He also highlighted what he calls the “immense damage” inflicted by President Barrow’s administration, citing issues like economic hardship, inadequate healthcare, and skyrocketing commodity prices.
“Citizens are suffering from severe economic hardships, and the state of healthcare is appalling, the education system is in a dire condition, commodity prices skyrocketed, poverty has increased like never before. The situation has reached a point where it is reasonable to argue that The Gambia is a failed country. Given these circumstances, it would be a profound insult to my values to join or collaborate with this administration. I cannot compromise my integrity, respect, values and conscience for the sake of political expediency.” He stated.
In his closing remarks, Ceesay expressed sadness at leaving a party he helped establish and cherish: “I am deeply saddened to leave a party that I initiated, founded and loved. Thank you, Citizens Alliance, for the journey we shared, it began with great promise and excellent leadership and vision but has ended in disappointment and heartbreak,” he concluded.