Africa-Press – Gambia. Hon. Yahya Sanyang, the National Assembly Member (NAM) for Latrikunda Sabiji, has described Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) Mayor Talib Bensouda as the most formidable political figure in The Gambia, citing his leadership style and record in public service.
Speaking to The Voice newspaper on Tuesday, Sanyang said Bensouda’s rise from a successful entrepreneur to mayor, and now a presidential aspirant, reflects a new model of leadership anchored on service delivery and political independence.
Sanyang, a key figure in the UNITE Political Movement led by Bensouda, said the mayor’s tenure at KMC has gone beyond routine local administration, positioning him as a catalyst for a new governance approach.
He identified three pillars of Bensouda’s political influence: tangible service delivery, strong appeal among young people, and strategic political independence.
According to the lawmaker, unlike politicians who rely largely on rhetoric, Bensouda’s leadership is evident in visible improvements within KMC, the country’s most urbanised municipality. He noted that the mayor has addressed long-standing challenges inherited from previous administrations.
Among the initiatives cited were reforms in waste management, including the introduction of more than 20 garbage trucks serving residential areas, upgrades to municipal markets, and the construction of The Gambia’s first municipal library.
Sanyang said Bensouda’s tenure has been characterised by a bottom-up development approach that prioritises community needs over political patronage, describing it as a departure from traditional political practices.
He added that Bensouda’s emergence has encouraged youth participation in politics, with young people increasingly organising, registering, and voting for themselves rather than being used as political tools.
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