By Staff Writer
Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda has accepted his selection as the flagbearer of Coalition 2026, pledging to unite the alliance, fight corruption, and lead an inclusive campaign ahead of the presidential election.
In his acceptance speech, Bensouda described his selection not as a political prize but as a responsibility to the coalition and the Gambian people.
“I do not accept this as a prize. I accept it as a duty,” Bensouda said. “Most importantly, I accept it as a responsibility to the Gambian people.”
Bensouda, the mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council and leader of UNITE, emerged from a coalition selection process that included Essa Mbye Faal, Essa Bokar Sey, and Professor Sidat Yaffa.
Addressing his fellow contenders, Bensouda said the outcome should not produce winners and losers, arguing that the coalition’s broader political objective should take precedence over individual ambitions.
“Today there is a result. But there must be no losers,” he said. “Because the cause that brought all four of us here is greater than any one of us.”
He praised the other contenders for participating in the process and said he would seek their advice, experience, support, and continued involvement in the coalition.
“From this moment forward, I do not want to speak of four contenders,” Bensouda said. “I want to speak of one coalition. I want to speak of one campaign.”
Bensouda also extended an invitation to political parties and movements that withdrew during the coalition negotiations, saying the alliance remained open to their return.
The coalition talks, which he said began on April 18, had been marked by disagreements, mistrust, withdrawals, and difficult negotiations. Despite those differences, Bensouda said the participating groups continued discussions because they believed the country’s interests were greater than their individual political ambitions.
“There will be no first-class members and second-class members of this coalition,” he said. “There will be no party that is treated as more Gambian than another.”
Addressing those who left the process, Bensouda urged them to reconsider their positions.
“Our door remains open,” he said. “Come home. Let us continue the conversation.”
He said political disagreements should not be allowed to develop into permanent national divisions, adding that dialogue and reconciliation would remain central to the coalition’s approach.
Bensouda also pledged to abide by the Coalition 2026 agreement, describing the alliance as a rules-based political arrangement rather than one founded merely on informal commitments.
He said the coalition’s memorandum of understanding commits its members to constitutional, legal, and institutional reforms, as well as efforts to combat corruption, rebuild public trust, and promote national reconciliation.
“If we ask Gambians to trust us with the country, we must first demonstrate that we can trust the rules we have created for ourselves,” he said.
Bensouda said his oath as flagbearer requires him to place the national interest above personal, party and sectional interests while respecting the coalition agreement and democratic processes.
He also made several commitments should he win the presidency.
“If elected President, I will declare my assets,” he said. “I will fight corruption. I will be accountable to the Gambian people. And I will not undermine the collective partners of the coalition.”
“These are not ceremonial words,” he added. “They are commitments. And I intend to live by them.”
Turning his attention to the election campaign, Bensouda said the conclusion of the flagbearer selection marked the beginning of a new phase for Coalition 2026.
He said the coalition would seek support in every region and community, including among young people, women, farmers, fishermen, traders, workers, entrepreneurs, civil servants and Gambians living abroad.
Bensouda said the alliance would also seek to engage voters who do not currently support it and persuade those who remain undecided.
“The flag has been selected. Now we must build the campaign,” he said.
He said winning the election should not be regarded as the coalition’s ultimate objective, arguing that electoral victory must instead be followed by efforts to improve governance and strengthen national institutions.
“Winning an election is not the final objective,” Bensouda said. “Building a better Gambia is.”
He called on coalition members and supporters to campaign peacefully and avoid insults, hatred and violence.
“Let us go forward without arrogance. Let us campaign without hatred. Let us compete without violence. Let us persuade without insulting,” he said.
Bensouda also pledged that a government led by the coalition would not use political victory to retaliate against opponents.
“When we win, let us govern without revenge,” he said. “Because the Gambia we seek to build must belong to everyone.”
Closing his speech, Bensouda pledged to protect the coalition’s unity and uphold the agreement underpinning the alliance while remaining accountable to Gambians.
“I will be the flagbearer of this coalition,” he said. “But I will never forget that I am also a servant of the Gambian people.”
Comments are closed.