Talib Ahmed Bensouda Emerges as Coalition 2026 Flagbearer to Challenge Barrow

By Pa Modou Cham

BANJUL, The Gambia — Talib Ahmed Bensouda of the United National Independent Transformation and Economic (UNITE) Party has been elected as the flagbearer of Coalition 2026, positioning him to challenge President Adama Barrow in the upcoming December presidential election.

Bensouda’s selection follows the coalition’s internal process to choose a common presidential candidate from among the political forces seeking to contest the election under a united platform.

In a statement published on his official Facebook page following his election, Bensouda described the opportunity as a “historic responsibility” and expressed gratitude to the coalition members for their confidence in him.

“Today, I accept with humility and gratitude the historic responsibility of becoming the Flagbearer of Coalition 2026,” he wrote.

Bensouda said his election should not be viewed as a victory for a single political party, but rather as a demonstration that political forces with different backgrounds and perspectives can unite around a common national objective.

He acknowledged the diversity within the coalition, while stressing that its members share what he described as a common national purpose.

The coalition currently brings together PASTEF The Gambia, Defending the Gambian Interest (GDI), People’s Right Party, Forward Gambia, National Reform Congress, Gambia Movement for Progress, Save The Gambia, National Development Association and the UNITE Party.

Bensouda thanked the leaders, delegates, members and supporters of the coalition parties and movements, saying their participation had contributed to the formation of the alliance.

“Our differences are real, but so is the national purpose that brings us together,” he said.

Calls for Broader Political Unity

The newly elected flagbearer also extended an invitation to political actors who participated in the coalition process but are currently outside the alliance.

He said the door remains open to those willing to join what he described as a national project aimed at securing a better future for The Gambia.

“There is room in this national project for every Gambian who believes that our country deserves a better future,” Bensouda said.

He said the focus of the coalition would now shift from individual contenders to a unified campaign built around a common programme, candidate and national mission.

Campaign Message

Bensouda called on coalition supporters to conduct the campaign with discipline and humility, while rejecting hatred and political revenge.

He outlined what he described as the principles that should guide the coalition throughout the electoral process:

“Let us go forward with humility. Let us campaign with discipline. Let us unite without hatred. Let us win without arrogance. And let us govern without revenge.”

His emergence as Coalition 2026’s flagbearer sets the stage for a potentially significant contest ahead of the December presidential election, as opposition political forces seek to consolidate their support behind a single candidate to challenge President Adama Barrow.

The coalition will now be expected to take its common programme to voters and begin nationwide mobilization ahead of the polls.