By Staff Writer
Four contenders have formally entered the race to become the standard-bearer of Coalition 2026, setting the stage for a decisive week of negotiations aimed at unifying opposition forces ahead of The Gambia’s 2026 presidential election.
Sources within Coalition 2026 told Kerr Fatou Media that the candidates are Talib Ahmed Bensouda, the Mayor of Kanifing Municipality and leader of UNITE; Essa Mbye Faal of APP-Sobeya; Professor Yero Mballow, chairman of the coalition’s Taskforce Mediation Committee; and Essa Bokarr Sey of the advocacy group FORGAM.
According to the sources, the coalition will first attempt to produce a consensus candidate through negotiations rather than a competitive vote.
Former Vice President Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang and Assan Martin have been tasked with leading the negotiation team charged with brokering an agreement among the four aspirants. Their objective is to determine whether the candidates can rally behind a single nominee without proceeding to an election.
If those efforts fail, Coalition 2026 has scheduled an internal vote for August 8, when delegates will choose the coalition’s presidential candidate from among the four contenders.
Sources said all four candidates have agreed in advance to respect and abide by the outcome of the process, regardless of the result.
The leadership contest comes after months of negotiations that have reshaped the coalition.
Three political parties have withdrawn from the talks. The United Democratic Party (UDP) exited over disagreements about whether the alliance should be structured around political parties or a single consensus candidate. The Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) later left the coalition discussions to align with President Adama Barrow’s ruling National People’s Party (NPP). The People’s Alliance Party (PAP) also withdrew, arguing that the coalition’s voting rules were unfair.
Despite those departures, the remaining political parties and civic movements participating in Coalition 2026 have reaffirmed their commitment to the process and are expected to make a final decision on the coalition’s presidential candidate on August 8, 2026.
The outcome is expected to determine whether Coalition 2026 can present a united front against the incumbent in what is shaping up to be one of the country’s most closely watched presidential elections.
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