By Kebba Jeffang
The first Gambian female aspiring presidential candidate, Dr. Isatou Touray, said she is hopeful that the ongoing opposition coalition talks could reach a consensus because there is progress in the discussion which is rescheduled to take place next week Wednesday, 5th October.
Dr. Touray was speaking in an exclusive interview with this reporter in her office in Burusibi, West Coast Region.
Responding to a question on how hopeful she is as an aspiring presidential candidate to the ongoing talks among the opposition candidates and parties, she said “I’m an independent candidate that has come to support the oppositions to facilitate a transition in a non-violent way to usher in a third republic. There is a process going on right now which is towards building a coalition so that we come out with a single candidate that is going to be supported by all the political parties. So we hope that by the time we finished all the conversation because the dialogue is still going on, there is progress and I hope that by the end of the day we would reach consensus as the outcome.”
Dr. Touray added “However, I cannot singularly tell you this is the outcome so far because we have not concluded the discussion. I think there will be consensus because we are talking, although I cannot give you anything definitive unless we reach the conclusion but the logical steps have been taken towards that direction.”
She assured that she will be present at next week Wednesday’s meeting for the continuation of the discussion among the opposition parties in building the alliance to face the current government during the 1stDecember presidential election.
Dr. Touray said they rescheduled the meeting of the presidential candidates as three out of six presidential candidates were present so that all of them will make it by the next meeting.
The independent aspiring presidential candidate said she did not blame the absentees for they may be engaged at the time but expressed hope for a significant turn out next week.