Tallinding North Councillor Says Party Differences Do Not Hinder Cooperation With Mayor Bensouda

By Fatou Sillah

Baboucarr Mansally, the APRC councillor for Tallinding North Ward, says political differences have not interfered with his working relationship with Talib Ahmed Bensouda, the mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council, insisting that development of the municipality remains his overriding priority.

In an interview with KMC, Mr. Mansally said he considers himself part of the council’s achievements, despite belonging to a different political party from the mayor.

“I see myself as part of this council, and I am part of its success despite not being in the same party as the mayor who leads the council,” he said. “We have been working so closely to the point that some people thought I wanted to shift allegiance. But what I saw was my community and the KMC.”

Mr. Mansally, a member of the APRC, said his mandate is to serve all constituents, regardless of political affiliation, and argued that national interest should take precedence over partisan loyalty.

“My mandate is to serve all the people that voted for me, whether they are APRC or not,” he said. “We have done our politics; I won, the mayor won. Now we are here to work and serve our people.”

He added that he supports the mayor’s development initiatives across the municipality and believes patriotism requires elected officials to put country before party.

Mr. Mansally also disclosed that he once advised the mayor to engage President Adama Barrow to accelerate development projects in the municipality.

“I told the mayor that he should try to reach out to President Barrow and work together to ensure that we develop our region,” he said.

According to Mr. Mansally, his relationship with Mayor Bensouda is built on mutual cooperation, particularly in advancing projects in Tallinding North. He said the council has been responsive to his requests for development support in the ward.

“The relationship between Talib and me is such that anything I yearn for in Tallinding North, he makes it available,” he said, adding that residents have taken note of the mayor’s support for local initiatives.

The councillor urged citizens to hold elected officials accountable for their campaign promises, rather than offering uncritical praise.

“People should start demanding accountability from their elected representatives,” he said. “It should not always be praise singing. We should ask whether they are implementing their campaign promises.”

Mr. Mansally added that closer collaboration between the mayor and the president would benefit the municipality, noting that political cooperation across party lines is essential for national development.