Africa-Press – Gambia. Talib Ahmed Bensouda, the mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council, has dismissed claims that his newly launched political movement is meant to divide the opposition ahead of The Gambia’s 2026 presidential election.
In an interview with Deutsche Welle, Mr. Bensouda said his initiative is intended to create a new political platform that fosters unity, renewal, and inclusiveness across the country’s fragmented political landscape.
“I don’t think it is a move to divide the opposition; the opposition is already divided,” Mr. Bensouda said. “I think a platform like this could potentially bring the opposition together.”
Mr. Bensouda, who has served as mayor since 2018, said the movement seeks to promote internal reform within political parties—particularly leadership renewal and term limits for candidates.
“What we have seen with all political parties, not just the UDP, is when it comes to candidates that represent their parties at elections, it is usually the same candidates and the candidates that founded the parties,” he said. “So I wanted to chart a new path where we could set a platform, and one of the ingredients of that platform would be, even at the level of candidacies, to have term limits,” he said.
When asked if his political move was a step toward a presidential bid, Mr. Bensouda said he would welcome the opportunity to serve as president but insisted that ambition was not driving his actions.
“It would be an honor and privilege to serve my country as president of the nation, but I’m not desperate to be president,” he said. “I would not just do anything to be president. I want to be president in the right way and on a path that I believe in.”
Mr. Bensouda added that his movement aims to re-engage disillusioned Gambians, particularly young voters who feel excluded from the political process.
“This platform is a vehicle for Gambians left on the fringes, such as the youth voter who has been disenfranchised; many of them have voter apathy. They don’t even register to vote. This is to give a voice to the voiceless,” he said.
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