The opposition United Democratic Party has re-elected Ousainou Darboe as Secretary General and party leader.

Mr. Darboe’s re-election during the party’s General Congress in Jarra Soma over the weekend, means he is the party’s presidential candidate for 2011 elections. He ran unsuccessfully against president Jammeh three times; 1996, 2001 and 2006.

The Congress also elected former campaign manager Femi Peters to the position of Senior Administrative Secretary. Delegates to the Congress also agreed to hand the responsibilities of internal and external affairs of the party to Mr. Peters.

Other elected members in the party include: Dembo Bojang, who was elected National President; Lamin Dibba, Campaign Manager; Ebou Manneh, Administrative Secretary; Mariama Denton, Legal and Human Rights matters; and Amadou Sanneh, Finance and Economy. Ousman Jatta (alias Rambo), who is a local government councilor of Bakau and Cape Point, was elected National Youth President. Shyngle Nyassi was elected National Propaganda Secretary and Alagie Ebrima Sandeng took the post of Secretary General of the Youth Wing, and Fatou Jawara as the Female Youth President.

Shortly after the election, Mr. Ousainou Darboe said he had attended many international conferences with Mr. Peters and that he was suited for the position given to him. “I have just recently visited him in prison… Mr. Peters is stronger than ever before”, Mr. Darboe said. “He has asked me to convey his gratitude to the party militants [but] added that we should work hard to see that there are changes in the Gambia. This change can only be done when we all work as a team; [and] when the change is done, he said, then his purpose of serving the jail term [would] not be in vain”, Mr. Darboe said.