By Buba Gagigo
Kemo Bojang, the Youth Councilor at Kanifing Municipal Council, recently declared that he will not seek re-election for another term, expressing his desire to provide an opportunity for younger individuals to take on the role.
Bojang emphasized the importance of giving the younger generation a chance to contribute to the community’s development. He acknowledged the transient nature of elective positions, highlighting the principle of democracy that guided his decision to limit himself to two terms.
“Now I want to give a chance to the younger ones. This will be my last term, all of us want to grow and look for something else. I will open the door for young Gambians to show what they can do. No one can do it alone, you will start, and others will continue where you stopped. All the elective positions are like that, and everyone should see it that way. No one’s name is written there. Before I came, there were other people occupying the position. So I will also go, and others will come,” he said.
Bojang clarified that his decision was not influenced by Mayor Talib’s announcement regarding his last term. Instead, he underscored the belief within the UDP (United Democratic Party) in adhering to a two-term limit to foster inclusivity and allow various individuals to contribute to national development.
“No, a two-term mandate has always been my position because I believe it is one of the principles of democracy. It is when I leave, people will be able to account me on whether I did well or not, and that’s where transparency comes in, but if you want to occupy a place forever like you own it, it will be difficult for the country to develop.
“We have to accommodate each other so that others can also contribute to national development. With or without Talib, whatever is destined for you, you will get it, and whatever you should do, you should do it. With or without me, he will also do what he wants to do for the youth. We at UDP believe in two term to give chance to others. Our mayors have already announced it, as have most of our MPs and councilors, even though the Local Government Act has given us the right to contest for three terms. This is a personal conviction that we have, and we want to take it.”
Regarding the possibility of succeeding Talib Ahmed Bensouda as the next Mayor of KMC, Bojang deferred to the UDP’s wealth of potential candidates. He asserted that the decision would ultimately rest with the party members, the people of KMC, and, importantly, his own willingness to take on the responsibility. Bojang expressed confidence in the UDP’s capacity to provide capable individuals capable of building upon the foundation set by their predecessors, emphasizing the collaborative and evolving nature of leadership in local governance.
“UDP has a lot of people that can fill that position. It’s left to our party members, Gambians, and the people in KMC if they think I can do it, and when I also agree that I can, I will try, but UDP has a lot of candidates and a lot of capable individuals that can fill this position and can do even more than what Talib did because the foundation has already been set. Anyone who comes will just adjust the house. Just like I said, you do one part, and others will come and continue. Whether me or not, I will support anyone who comes there to work for the development of KMC.”