Gambia opposition fails to unite ahead of presidential polls

BANJUL (AFP) - Gambia's opposition parties said Monday they had failed to forge an alliance and choose a presidential candidate to boost their chances of unseating President Yahya Jammeh in November 24 polls.

Jammeh is seeking a fourth term in office since he took power in a bloodless coup in 1994, and an alliance between opposition parties is seen as the only way they could present a strong challenge to the 46-year-old leader.

"Yes, the talks have failed but that doesn't mean that our party cannot effect a change," said Hamat Bah of the National Reconciliation Party.

Ousaniou Darboe, leader of the main opposition United Democratic Party who won 26.69 percent of votes in 2006, told AFP that with no alliance in sight, it would work on its past weaknesses and aim for a win.

"Despite the disappointment, rest assured that we pose a threat to Jammeh's ruling APRC party," he told AFP.

Jammeh is often slammed by international rights groups for human rights abuses and a crackdown on journalists, many of whom have disappeared, been killed or fled the country.

He dresses in white flowing robes, claims to be able to cure AIDS with a mixture of herbs and mysticism and has said he will not campaign, saying his poll victory is "a foregone conclusion" and only God can remove him from power.

Opposition parties have complained about an 11-day election campaign period, saying it is "grossly inadequate".

However Jammeh has been credited with the development of roads, schools and hospitals in the smallest country on Africa's mainland - a sliver of land wedged into Senegal which is home to about 1.6 million people.

According to the World Bank the country is on track to reach its Millennium Development Goals. But poverty is widespread, with 67 percent of the population living on less than 1.25 dollars a day.