Fatoumatta: The political scene in the United States recently underwent a significant shift with President Joe Biden’s announcement of his withdrawal from the presidential race. Prior to this, Biden had been adamant about not exiting the race, asserting his robust health and unique capability to defeat the Republican contender, Donald Trump. Despite numerous indications of Biden’s mental and physical unfitness for the presidency, it was not until the first presidential debate that these concerns were unequivocally confirmed. Speaking in a weak, raspy voice, Biden appeared frail and frequently lost his train of thought, confusing names and events. Trump, his debate adversary, even expressed surprise at Biden’s incoherent statements. In one instance, Trump remarked, “I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence, and I don’t think he did, either.”
Biden’s performance was deemed disappointing. Opinion polls indicated that Trump was increasing his lead over Biden. Numerous Democrats, including lawmakers, began to publicly urge him to withdraw from the race to prevent the party from not only losing the presidency but also risking their strongholds in Congress to the Republicans, thereby weakening the party. Demonstrating their seriousness, many party sponsors retracted their support. However, the more Democrats requested Biden to withdraw, the more he refused, asserting that he was the one who could defeat Trump as he did in 2020. This left the Democratic Party divided and perplexed, with low morale among its members. The situation was exacerbated by the fact that Biden, as the incumbent president, faced no significant challenge for the party’s nomination earlier this year.
Another aspect, often not discussed publicly, is that Vice President Kamala Harris is both a woman and of non-White ethnicity. Despite the United States’ strong human rights record, it has yet to elect a female president. It took 232 years for the U.S. to elect its first non-White president, Barack Obama, in 2008, who was notable for his charismatic personality and exceptional promise without any negative associations. Disregarding Harris for her gender and ethnicity in favor of a White male as Biden’s successor could be seen as a significant step back. However, with less than four months until the presidential election, it remains uncertain whether Harris, if nominated by the Democratic Party, would be able to make a substantial impact.
In contrast, the Republican Party was in high spirits. The members’ morale was soaring. The failed assassination attempt on Trump a few weeks earlier had garnered him sympathy, significantly boosting his ratings. During the Republican Party’s convention, Trump was officially nominated as the presidential candidate, and he announced his vice-presidential running mate, marking a level of unity and confidence the party hadn’t seen in years. All polls indicated Trump was leading. It seemed clear that Trump would decisively defeat Biden in the November presidential election.
However, on Sunday, July 21, Biden withdrew from the presidential race, endorsing Harris. Within the following 48 hours, Harris’s presidential campaign received over $100 million in donations, setting a new record. In one week, the amount reached $200 million. This influx of support revitalized the Democratic Party, and the focus shifted from the Republicans to the Democrats.
The dynamics of the campaign have shifted dramatically. Prior to that pivotal Sunday, Trump was perceived as the younger, more vigorous candidate, in contrast to Biden, who was seen as older and more frail—a narrative intended to be central to the campaign. However, following Biden’s announcement, Trump assumed the role of the older candidate, becoming the oldest individual to ever run for the U.S. presidency. This necessitated a strategic shift in messaging and focus for the Republicans. Current opinion polls indicate Harris has a slight lead over Trump, though it remains within the margin of error, suggesting the race is still highly competitive.
Republicans are convinced that Trump will liberate the United States from what they view as the perilous control of Biden and the Democrats. Conversely, Democrats are hopeful that Kamala Harris and their party will prevent America from succumbing to Trump’s leadership for a second term.
Following President Biden’s announcement, the Director of the American Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned. Despite her initial refusal to resign after the attempt on Trump, Cheatle faced intense scrutiny from Congress where she was criticized by both Democrats and Republicans, leading to her resignation the following day. Unlike in The Gambia, where civil servants and public officers rarely resign, often preferring dismissal over resignation, in The Gambia, corrupt and incompetent officials are frequently rewarded. In contrast, the United States exemplifies a robust democracy where the system prevails over individuals. Responsibility is a cornerstone, with no tolerance for excuses, and individuals are held accountable for their actions.
As a prominent figure on the global stage, President Biden is often viewed as one of the most influential individuals worldwide. Nevertheless, he succumbed to internal party pressures and exited the presidential race. This is in stark contrast to the political norms in Gambia, where leaders such as the nation’s founder, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, who governed for 29 years, did not retire or resign even amid opposition from within his circle. Jawara, who had planned to retire in 1992, reversed his decision at the Mansa Konko PPP congress, aiming to be president for life, but was eventually deposed in a military coup by Yahya Jammeh in 1994. Currently, Ousainou Darboe, who has led The Gambia’s United Democratic Party since 1996, has not yielded his position to facilitate younger leadership, despite electoral defeats, and intends to contest the 2026 presidential elections.
Another aspect is the significance placed on presidential debates in America. Candidates who avoid these debates are often perceived as disrespectful to the electorate. Presidential debates serve as a platform for Americans and citizens of other developed nations to assess the capabilities of their potential leaders. These debates reveal who is ready to lead. In contrast, in the Gambia, politicians often dismiss debates and any opportunity to respond to spontaneous questions. I have only seen presidential candidates like Halifa Sallah and Essa Mbye Faal, and the debate between Halifa Sallah and Dr. Ismaila Ceesay in the 2021 elections, participate in such debates. Other than these individuals, I have not seen former leaders like Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, Yahya Jammeh, Adama Barrow, or Ousainou Darboe engage in this practice. Similarly, both incumbents and the opposition have either shunned presidential debates or only taken part in those they organized themselves. Nonetheless, there are always defenders who argue that oratory skills do not equate to leadership ability.
The Gambia has adopted many practices from the US. The presidential system of government currently in use by the Gambia was modeled after the US system following the failure of the First Republic, which was attributed to the British parliamentary system. However, the presidential system has not been successful in fostering progress and stability. This indicates that the governance issues in The Gambia are not linked to the type of governmental system employed. Rather, The Gambia’s challenges are akin to a poor craftsman who blames his tools.
Fatoumatta: The Gambia has not emulated the transparency for which the American system is renowned. Nor has it adopted the American tendency to prioritize national interests over personal and narrow concerns. The notion of resigning from office is nearly inconceivable, and often individuals are considered above the law. This hinders the ability of democracy to yield its expected benefits. The sole democratic gain for The Gambia thus far is the limitation of presidential terms to two, unlike in nations such as Russia, Rwanda, and Cameroon, which claim to practice democracy. Gambians anticipate the day when their leaders will begin to follow the positive precedents set by the United States.
