By Muhammed MS’s Bah
The race for the State House of The Gambia in 2026 just got more interesting. Talib Ahmed Bensouda, the youthful and outspoken Mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), has officially thrown his hat into the ring to become the United Democratic Party official—the Gambia flag bearer for the upcoming presidential election.
Bensouda, widely seen as one of the new-generation politicians within the UDP, walked into the party’s secretariat this week with MP Yahya Menteng by his side. His application was formally received by the party’s administrative secretary, Alhagie S. Darboe, Brikama North MP, marking the beginning of what many expect to be one of the most heated internal contests in the party’s history.
For those who follow Gambian politics, the UDP is no ordinary party. Formed in 1996 at the height of Yahya Jammeh’s iron-fisted rule, the party quickly became the strongest opposition force, commanding huge support across the country. Its leader, the seasoned lawyer Ousainou Darboe, has been at the heart of every major presidential contest since then, four times against Jammeh and once against his former political ally, now-President Adama Barrow, in 2021.
Darboe remains a towering figure in Gambian politics, respected as “the godfather” of the UDP and, to many, the man who kept opposition politics alive during Jammeh’s 22-year rule. But with another presidential election due in December 2026, the question now dividing the UDP is whether Darboe, at 76, should once again carry the party’s banner or step aside for a younger face like Bensouda.
And this is where the storm begins:
Bensouda’s ambition has set off mixed reactions. His supporters argue that the party needs fresh energy, a generational shift, and a leader who can connect with the country’s growing youth population. They point to surveys suggesting that if Darboe runs again, it may pave an easier path for President Barrow to secure re-election.
But loyalists of Darboe insist that he still has the clout, the experience, and the nationwide networks to give Barrow a tough challenge in 2026. For them, asking Darboe to step aside is not just premature; it feels like betrayal.
The UDP now faces a delicate balancing act: honouring the legacy of its longtime leader while navigating the push for generational change. Whatever happens in the coming months, one thing is clear: Talib Bensouda’s move has stirred the waters.
Will the party rally behind the young mayor, or will it once again put its faith in the veteran who has carried its banner for nearly three decades?
