‘My single term will carry greatest legacy for this country’

United Democratic Party (UDP) presidential aspirant Ousainu Darboe has said that his single term will carry the greatest legacy for this country.  “My single term will be a term during which the Gambians will be given the constitution that they deserve,” he told journalists. He also promised to use a single five-year term in office to introduce a new constitution and implement major reforms in the civil service, public service and security sector, saying his presidency would be defined by its institutional legacy. Mr Darboe made the pledge on Monday after submitting his nomination documents to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), where he confirmed that the December 5 presidential election would be his final attempt at the presidency. The 78-year-old lawyer said he wanted his single term to lay the foundation for long-term national development, including economic transformation and improved treatment of public servants. He also promised security sector reforms that would enable personnel in uniform to take pride in their service, alongside changes to the civil service and public administration to ensure public servants felt fairly treated. On the economy, Mr Darboe said his government would establish progressive policies aimed at moving The Gambia from its least developed country status towards middle-income status. The UDP leader also defended his controversial position on the three-year coalition agreement that brought President Adama Barrow to power in 2016. He said his support for Mr Barrow to complete a five-year constitutional term was based on his understanding of the Constitution, arguing that had the president resigned after three years, the vice-president would have taken over rather than a fresh presidential election being held. Mr Darboe further attributed the increasing number of young Gambians undertaking the dangerous Backway journey to declining hope in the country. He promised to fight corruption and create conditions that would restore young people’s confidence in their future. He also appealed to Gambians to exercise restraint during the election period, warning against actions that could threaten national stability. “I want to ask all Gambians not to be guided by our emotions I want to appeal to every Gambian that we should be reasonable and we should be rational,” he said. Mr Darboe submitted his citizenship and educational documents, supporters signatures, asset declaration, tax clearance certificate, party sponsorship letter, manifesto and proof of payment of the nomination deposit.