In a significant political development, major political parties in The Gambia, including the opposition United Democratic Party, boycotted a national dialogue called by President Adama Barrow. The dialogue, convened ahead of the country’s independence diamond jubilee, was intended to foster unity and improve the nation’s future. However, some experts argue that the absence of key political figures undermines the goal of national reconciliation. With the nation’s 58th independence anniversary just days away, the boycott has sparked concern about the effectiveness of efforts to unite the country.