By Makutu Manneh
Talib Ahmed Bensouda, leader of the UNITE Party and mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council, told Gambians in New York that his party aims to steer The Gambia toward greater prosperity by emphasizing patriotism, innovation, and national unity, presenting the movement as an alternative vision for the country’s future.
Addressing supporters at a political gathering in New York, Mr. Bensouda said the party’s name—United for Nation, Integrity, Transformation, and Equality—reflects principles he believes are lacking in the country’s current leadership.
He argued that effective governance requires patriotism, honesty, and a willingness to embrace new ideas, saying The Gambia cannot expect different outcomes by relying on the same governing approaches while the rest of the world continues to evolve.
Mr. Bensouda said that although investments in roads, electricity, and water remain important, national development should extend beyond basic infrastructure and be driven by a broader vision for economic transformation.
“The Gambia has to be ambitious,” he said. “We cannot have another government that will just say, ‘I have built three kilometers of road’ or ‘I have built this or that.’ We need ambition, dreams, and vision.”
He described national division as one of the country’s greatest obstacles to development, saying Gambians continue to be divided along tribal, regional, and religious lines despite living in one of mainland Africa’s smallest countries.
Mr. Bensouda urged citizens to reject tribalism and embrace a shared national identity, arguing that unity is essential if the country is to achieve meaningful progress.
Outlining the party’s long-term aspirations, he said UNITE envisions transforming The Gambia into the “Singapore of Africa,” noting that the two countries achieved independence in the same year. He argued that Singapore’s success, despite its limited natural resources, demonstrated the importance of visionary leadership and strategic planning.
“The Gambia can be a hub of Africa,” Mr. Bensouda said. “We have one of the most navigable rivers, access to the Atlantic Ocean, we are about five hours from Europe, and seven hours from America. The Gambia is in a strategic location.”
He also said the country’s use of English as its official language gives it a competitive advantage for trade and investment, particularly in a region where many neighboring countries are French-speaking.
Mr. Bensouda’s remarks come as political parties continue to court Gambians in the diaspora ahead of the 2026 presidential election, highlighting the growing importance of overseas communities in shaping the country’s political and economic future.
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