Barrow files candidacy and says he fears no rival
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Kerr Fatou
Gambian President Adama Barrow has filed his candidacy with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for the 5 December presidential election. At a rally in Buffer Zone, he said he fears no opponent, recalling that he beat Yahya Jammeh in 2016, whom he described as the most formidable opponent in the country’s history, according to Kerr Fatou.
Gambian President Adama Barrow has said that none of his opponents intimidates him ahead of the 5 December presidential election, Kerr Fatou reports. He was speaking at a rally in Buffer Zone, shortly after filing his candidacy with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
Adama Barrow recalled that he beat Yahya Jammeh in 2016. He described the former president as the most formidable and most dangerous political opponent in the country’s history, because of his control over state institutions and the security forces. According to him, Yahya Jammeh had considerable financial and political influence, commanded the police, the army and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and allegedly used marabouts and witchcraft to stay in power.
"I was not afraid of a lion in the forest; how could I be afraid of a cat in town?" the head of state said. He compared the confrontation with his current rivals to drinking cool water and resting in a bed. He is seeking a new term almost ten years after his surprise victory in 2016, which ended Yahya Jammeh’s 22 years in power.
This statement follows the filing of his candidacy on 10 November, at which he promised a constitution with term limits. He had also announced the construction of a six-lane highway on Kairaba Avenue.
