By Seedy Jobe
The APEX Initiative on Thursday announced the launch of a coalition-building effort aimed at uniting opposition parties, civic movements, and independent political actors ahead of The Gambia’s 2026 presidential election.
In a statement dated Jan. 16, the group said the initiative seeks to forge a “credible and unified alternative” to the current government, arguing that the country is grappling with mounting economic and governance challenges.
“The Gambia faces serious challenges,” the statement said, citing rising living costs, declining public trust in state institutions, growing insecurity, and stalled reforms that many Gambians have demanded since the 2016 political transition.
The initiative emphasized that broad-based cooperation would be essential to effecting political change. “No single party or individual can single handedly carry the weight of demanding monumental nation-building,” the statement said, adding that unity was a prerequisite for altering the political status quo.
APEX said it was mindful of other ongoing efforts to form opposition alliances and had begun consultations to avoid duplication and to align objectives where possible. The coalition-building process, the group said, would be guided by principles of unity, accountability, and reform.
According to the statement, the proposed coalition would seek to establish a shared governance framework, adopt a legally binding coalition agreement, and advance a reform-oriented program for government. The initiative also pledged a focus on transitional justice and strategies to combat crime and corruption.
The group invited opposition parties, political movements, and independent aspirants who support democratic change to join the effort, with the goal of presenting a unified platform in the presidential election scheduled for Dec. 5, 2026.
“We the undersigned, are committed to ensuring that the future of our beloved nation is shaped through unity, dialogue, and meaningful democratic choice,” the release ends.
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