Africa-Press – Gambia. Ousainu Darboe, the Secretary General and leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has warned that Gambian youth will bear the heaviest burden if the country’s future falters after the 2026 presidential election.
Addressing supporters at a rally in Jambanjelly, Mr. Darboe described the upcoming election as a defining moment for the nation’s destiny.
“2026 is a redefining moment for The Gambia,” he declared. “In 2026, Gambia will either be redeemed or it will sink—and if it sinks, you, the young people, will be the biggest casualties.”
The veteran opposition leader urged young Gambians to take an active role in shaping the nation’s future, calling on them to participate in the forthcoming supplementary voter registration exercise. He noted that by the time registration begins, thousands of Gambians will have reached voting age.
“You must register so that together with us, we will redeem this country,” Mr. Darboe said. He added that once the country is “redeemed” in 2026, leadership of the nation would be entrusted to the youth.
Mr. Darboe, who has led the UDP for decades and served as a key figure in Gambian politics since the 1990s, said his generation had fulfilled its responsibility over the past 30 years. The next phase, he emphasized, belongs to the young.
“If you fail to act, you will have no one to blame but yourselves,” he told the crowd. “We have done our part. The future is now in your hands.”
The remarks come as political parties across The Gambia begin mobilizing ahead of the 2026 polls, which many observers see as a critical test for the country’s democratic consolidation following its transition from decades of authoritarian rule.
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