By Seedy Jobe
The leader of the Unite Movement for Change (UMC), Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda, has declared that his party is on course to capture State House in the 2026 presidential election, citing the successful organization of its Women’s National Congress as evidence of the party’s growing strength and national appeal.
Speaking to supporters in Farafenni on Saturday following the congress, Bensouda congratulated the newly elected women leaders and said the event demonstrated UMC’s organizational capacity, which he argued distinguishes the party from many of its political rivals.
“I congratulate the women who have been selected today at the Women’s National Congress of the United Movement for Change,” Bensouda said. “There are many parties in The Gambia that cannot do this. This shows that UMC is set for the State House in 2026.”
The UMC leader highlighted the party’s rapid growth since its formation, noting that it has already conducted major internal democratic processes within a relatively short period.
“In six months, we have held our national congress, held the women’s congress, and, Insha’Allah, next week we will hold our youth congress,” he said.
Bensouda described women and young people as the backbone of Gambian politics and said UMC’s efforts to build strong structures within both constituencies are central to its political strategy.
“Gambian politics consists of two major bases: youth and women. That is why we are building structures in these areas to ensure that we can enter State House and develop our country,” he stated.
Turning to governance issues, Bensouda criticized President Adama Barrow’s administration, accusing it of failing to adequately address the needs of Gambian women. He pledged that a UMC-led government would place women’s empowerment at the center of its development agenda.
“Gambian women have been left behind, especially under President Adama Barrow’s government. A UMC government will look after women, Insha’Allah,” he said.
The Kanifing Municipal Council mayor pointed to initiatives undertaken by KMC as examples of what UMC could achieve at the national level, despite not being in control of the central government.
“Today, if you look at KMC, we are not the government, yet we are doing many things for women,” he said.
Bensouda highlighted the Bakau Women’s Garden project as a model for women’s economic empowerment, particularly for communities in the North Bank Region and Farafenni.
“Women’s gardens are very important in The Gambia, especially in the North Bank and Farafenni. The Bakau Women’s Garden has become an example for the country. It has a complete perimeter fence, cold storage facilities, and a market where women can harvest and sell their produce to support their families,” he explained.
He said such initiatives reflect UMC’s broader vision for women’s empowerment and economic development nationwide.
According to Bensouda, a future UMC government would establish financial mechanisms to improve women’s access to credit and increase public investment in agricultural projects that support women’s livelihoods.
“That shows that when UMC comes to government, we will establish a bank to support women so they can access financing. We will also allocate government resources to develop women’s gardens and help improve the welfare of their families,” he said.
Comments are closed.