BANJUL — An alliance of five major opposition parties on Monday called on Gambians to support the government of President Yaya Jammeh as they themselves are "not credible."
"It is our candid opinion and observation that all being one, President Yaya Jammeh will win the next presidential election landslide because as of now, there is no credible opposition challenge", the National Democratic Alliance Movement said in a statement.
The opposition alliance said they had lost the goodwill of voters by playing "dirty tricks" and engaging in "political horse-trading." The statement did not elaborate on the self-professed shortcomings.
"We would therefore advise Gambians to make their own contributions to the development agenda of the government, which is non-partisan, for the betterment of our dear country," the statement said.
Former wrestler and military officer Jammeh has ruled the Gambia since seizing power in 1994. He has since won three multi-party elections.
The next presidential election is set to take place in 2011 and many opposition parties are holding almost weekly rallies throughout Gambia in the hope of preparing for the elections.
At the moment the Gambian parliament is dominated by Jammeh's ruling party with the major opposition parties holding only four seats between them.
Jammeh's government has been strongly criticized by international human rights groups for its attitude towards civil liberties. Opponents of the regime and critical journalists are routinely imprisoned and harassed, they say.
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