Africa-Press – Gambia. Talib Ahmed Bensouda has unequivocally stated that he would not contest against Lawyer Ousainou Darboe over the position of the United Democratic Party’s flag bearer for the 2026 Presidential race.
In a recent interview with Membe Kering TV, the UDP organising secretary says that when the official announcement is made for the position, he’ll seek advice from his circle for the best decision.
“But when we reach at a point and I have seen that the party leader is interested and apply, I will never challenge him for the position of the flag bearer, I’ll have to rescind my decision if I want to submit my application,” he vehemently stated.
The Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council, Bensouda also says if the party leader Ousainou Darboe does not apply and someone else wins in the primary elections, he’ll join his hand on deck to fully support that particular candidate chosen by the UDP to lead party in the 2026 presidential elections.
He admitted that there were fracas amongst younger leaders of UDP, stating that the issues were resolved in a meeting held at the party leader’s house where he was present, along with Yankuba Darboe and Rohey Malick Lowe.
“It was regrettable and could have been avoided. We had candid and intense discussions over the misunderstanding, and it is now resolved,” he added.
He discloses that the UDP is planning an event where all its younger leaders will be in attendance to foster cohesion and collaboration amongst party militants.
Bensouda dismissed rumours of him planning to form a party or part ways with the UDP if he’s not elected as party’s flag bearer, describing such claims as false. He also disclaimed allegations that Darboe wanted to hand him the party so he could be the leader of UDP, saying: “If you know Darboe, you know that he’s not that type of person. He is very sincere. He would not attempt such a divisive move.”
Bensouda urged all Gambians to focus on the mission of ousting President Barrow through the ballot box while advocating for a united opposition against the current regime. He outlined that 2016 win for Barrow was through a coalition, and his 2021 win as well was via a coalition. “The UDP will entertain opposition coalition idea. I believe we will do that,” he reiterated.
He added that the Barrow administration had failed in keeping its promises to Gambians, including the promise of having a new constitution.
“The transitional justice process is a failure. The Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission have failed. The Janneh Commission fails, and now the 2024 Barrow papers also failed. Our focus is to put an end to such a system of governance,” he stressed.
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