Africa-Press – Gambia. Talib Ahmed Bensouda, the mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council, has dismissed allegations that the United Democratic Party (UDP) engages in tribal politics, arguing instead that political contestation in The Gambia is shaped more by personalities than by ethnic divisions.
Speaking in an interview with West Coast Radio, Mr. Bensouda said accusations framing the UDP as a tribalist organization are unfounded.
“UDP is not a tribalist party. I wouldn’t associate it with tribal politics; I don’t think any of the parties are tribalist,” he said.
He acknowledged that political parties across the country may draw stronger support from certain communities but insisted that such patterns do not amount to ethnic mobilization. “I think what happens is that Gambia is about personality politics. It is about identity politics,” he said. “Depending on what tribe the party leader is, naturally, they would reach out to their tribesmen.”
Mr. Bensouda, who later founded the Unite Movement for Change, said his movement’s platform was built around principles of inclusivity and equal participation. “We talk about equality, inclusivity, and not allowing anybody to talk about tribes on our platform. Come to me based on issues and the consistent pushing back against it,” he said.
He added that his departure from the UDP stemmed from internal resistance to reforms he sought to introduce. “UDP for me became a party where it was not remaking itself. It was not evolving into the times,” he said. “I did my best while I was there to bring big changes, to innovate, to rebrand, to sort of adapt to the times, but, of course, there was a lot of resistance.”
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