Alhaji Fanding Saidybah was a committed pioneer and grassroots organizer of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and one of the important figures who helped establish the party’s presence in the Lower River Region (LRR).
A native of Jarra Soma, Fanding Saidybah became deeply involved in the UDP during its formative years and served as the first UDP Regional Chairman of the Lower River Region. In that role, he played an important part in organizing the party at the grassroots and building its structures across the region.
His contribution to the growth of the UDP went beyond political organization. Fanding Saidybah is remembered for making a significant personal contribution to the party by donating a plot of land for the establishment of a UDP office in the Lower River Region. At a time when the party was still young and building its organizational infrastructure from very limited resources, such sacrifices were invaluable.
For Fanding, politics was not simply about elections. It was about building a movement that could reach ordinary Gambians in their communities. His work in the Lower River Region helped establish the UDP as a grassroots political force and gave supporters in the region an organizational home.
The early years of the UDP were challenging. The party was operating under a political environment in which opposition activists faced intimidation, harassment, and considerable pressure. It took courage and conviction for ordinary Gambians to accept leadership responsibilities and openly build the structures of a new opposition party.
Fanding Saidybah was one of those individuals who answered that call.
His contribution is particularly significant because much of the work involved in building a political party happens away from the spotlight. Regional organizers and grassroots leaders do not always receive the recognition given to national leaders, yet they are the people who establish branches, mobilize communities, bring supporters together, and keep the party connected to the people.
Fanding Saidybah was one of those builders.
His legacy remains particularly strong in the Lower River Region, where the UDP continues to remember his contribution. Following his passing, the party and local supporters honored his memory through the Alhaji Fanding Saidybah Memorial Football Tournament, a fitting tribute to a man whose political service was rooted in community and grassroots engagement.
His name has also been remembered alongside other Gambians who made sacrifices during the country’s long democratic struggle. In reflecting on the sacrifices of UDP activists, Party Leader H.E. ANM Ousainu Darboe has mentioned Fanding Saidybah among those whose contributions should not be forgotten.
Fanding Saidybah belonged to a generation of UDP supporters who helped transform a newly established political party into a nationwide movement. They gave their time, their resources, their energy, and their personal commitment to a cause that was much bigger than themselves.
Alhaji Fanding Saidybah, thank you for your tremendous service to our country and to the United Democratic Party. Thank you for your sacrifice, your grassroots leadership, your generosity, and your unwavering commitment to building the UDP in the Lower River Region.
You were a pioneer.
You were an organizer.
You were a regional leader.
You were a grassroots mobilizer.
You gave of yourself and your resources to build the party.
You helped plant the UDP firmly in the Lower River Region.
As we celebrate 30 years of the United Democratic Party, we remember the men and women whose names may not always appear in the headlines but whose sacrifices made the growth of this movement possible.
You helped build the foundation.
You helped build the region.
You helped build the movement.
You are part of the UDP story.
Today, we honor Alhaji Fanding Saidybah and salute his contribution to the United Democratic Party and to The Gambia’s democratic struggle.
Happy 30th Anniversary, Alhaji Fanding Saidybah.
May Almighty Allah forgive your shortcomings, grant you Jannatul Firdaus, and may your sacrifice and dedication continue to inspire generations of Gambians to serve their communities, defend democracy, and work for a better Gambia.
UDP Media & Communications Team