Journalist Dodou Sanneh will have to watch the Gambian presidential elections slated for 22 September 2006 from the sidelines. Sanneh was one of the respectable reporters of the state-owned Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) until he was assigned to cover and report on the campaign activities of the opposition alliance of the United Democratic Party/ National Reconciliation Party (NRP)/Gambia People's Democratic Party (GPDP) [UDP/NRP/GPDP]. Sanneh was arrested and detained on 7^th September in an undisclosed location and was only released on 14^th September without charge and to be told that his services were no longer required. Political analysts say Sanneh fell foul of the government for reporting campaign gains being made by the opposition in the run up to the elections.

He is about the tenth journalist to be arrested and /or detained since the beginning of the year, and France- based press freedom organization, Reporters Without Borders, has said, "Once again a Gambian journalist has been thrown in prison, manhandled and then released without any explanation. Once again, no protest was made by any of the countries with some kind of influence over Gambia. The cynicism and cruelty of President Yahya Jammeh's government is fed by the impunity he enjoys."

 The situation of Sanneh shows the picture of how the coming elections are becoming very crucial for both the government and the opposition who are all currently engaged in nationwide campaigns. Before the visit of Sudanese President Omar Bashir, President Jammeh had been in a month-long provincial visit dubbed ‘Dialogue with the people', which he has now resumed after his counterpart's departure. Jammeh was reported to have held 36 meetings in various towns and villages, many of whose inhabitants escorted him to State House to welcome the Sudanese leader.

 Jammeh arrived in Banjul greeted by thousands of jubilant and exuberant supporters and well-wishers, who escorted him on feet from Brikama to State House. Some enthusiastic supporters had placards with slogans like “No election! We need Jammeh!” Some held up placards-bearing the pictures of Jammeh, while others tied round their bodies with the party's green flags in jubilation. Car horns and a mixture of praise songs were in full swing.

 Standing in an open Hummer Jeep, albeit with high security and a fleet of vehicles, Jammeh waved hands and dished out his campaign T-Shirts and party caps to the exuberant supporters  in his bid to get a third term as President of Gambia through his Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) party.

The underlying message in Jammeh's campaign trail is for Gambians to see how far he has brought them in both socio-economic development and international status since he took power 12 years ago. Jammeh points to the erection and establishment of schools, health centres and other public infrastructure and also Gambia's strategic role in international politics, especially the successful hosting of the African Union summit. In one of his speeches, Jammeh said, "I can face a hundred alliances; at the end of the day every Gambian will vote and teach them a lesson. We can have one billion alliances. I don't care. What I care about is the will of Gambian people. If there was supposed to be a continental (African) presidency, not many African presidents can challenge me in terms of what I have done not only for The Gambia but for Africa as a whole."

But the opposition would have none of that. The UDP/NRP/GPDP Coalition has also taken its campaign nationwide to places like Farafenni in Upper Baddibu, Bambaly and Sinchu Sanjal villages in Sabah Sanjal, Kaur Wharf in Lower Saloum, and Joka Ndowen in Niani

Addressing the meetings, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, Presidential Candidate for the alliance,reiterated that they're steadfast to tackle poverty and tribalism in The Gambia.

He told the people to reject bribery from any political party and vote in his alliance for socio-economic transformation of the country

He commended the people for their "rousing welcome and support", and then assured the people that his leadership will ensure there is no credit buying for groundnuts. He also promised an accountable and transparent government.

According to him, the UDP/NRP/GPDP-led government will discourage the youth from risking deathly routes to the Canary Island in Spain by creating employment opportunities for decent livelihood. They are campaigning for regime change and promising better administration if elected into office, citing several human rights violations, failed economic policies, and social backwardness.For the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD) party, their campaign slogan is poverty eradication and freedom. NADD leader Sidia Jatta says, "Our duty is to tell the people why this government should not be returned to power. Our fundamental questions are two: economic and political. The people are in need of liberty and prosperity. A government that fails to deliver these is not fit to govern." The NADD camp, comprising of the People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), the National Democratic Action Movement (NDAM) and the People's Progressive Party (PPP), is also trekking the country far and wide by sending the message home that returning the Jammeh government to power will mean more mal-governance, economic hardship, and suppression.

However, political observers say the lack of a united front against the Jammeh government will, ashas always been, have a negative impact on the strength and performance of the opposition. An international journalist in Banjul has this to say, “The disunity among the opposition parties has already divided them. In some quarters, reports of defections or cross-carpeting from the opposition to the ruling party have occurred while the APRC party - the ruling party - shouts out loud to the heavens that it has already built schools and a university, hospitals, and other infrastructure within 12 years and even promising more if returned to office.”

Notwithstanding, as things stand, it is hard to predict who will be the President of the Gambia after 22^nd September.