Africa-Press – Gambia. PASTEF The Gambia, a new political movement Friday staged a high-energy fundraising concert drawing a packed crowd to Semega Janneh Hall as it rallied youth and opposition voices behind its call “for system change” ahead of the 2026 election.
Held under the banner of “music, unity, and purpose,” the event marked a significant moment in PASTEF’s growing campaign to challenge the status quo. Organisers used the platform not only to raise funds, but to galvanise support for a political transformation rooted in transparency, equity, and national development.
Speaking to The Voice during the event, Mayorro Sidibeh, PASTEF’s Public Relations Officer, announced that the movement would embark on a nationwide tour in August, covering every region from Kartong to Koina. He says the aim is to educate Gambians on PASTEF’s political programme and mobilise the electorate for change.
“Our struggle is not just against the individuals in power, but against a failed system,” Sidibeh told The Voice. “From food prices to education and healthcare, our people are suffering. We need a government that puts citizens first, not a system that serves a privileged few.”
Sidibeh criticised the existing disparities in infrastructure, commodity pricing, and access to basic services. “It is unacceptable that a bag of rice or cement is cheaper in Banjul than in Basse. We must end this injustice.”
Youth leaders from allied groups including the All People’s Party (APP) also addressed the crowd. Omar Musa Barrow, APP National Youth Mobiliser, warned that the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) is consolidating support from “political criminals” and urged opposition parties to form a united front.
“The only way to defeat the government is through a coalition of principled opposition forces. We must put the country before party,” Barrow emphasized.
Speaking to The Voice on behalf of presidential aspirant Dr. Ousman Gajigo, Papa Jagne says the 2026 elections will be a defining moment.
“People are hungry, jobs are scarce, and the political elite are living in luxury. We need a president who serves the people, not one who enriches himself at our expense,” Jagne added.
The concert concluded with cultural performances and renewed calls for civic education, voter registration, and collective action in the lead-up to the next polls.
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