Dr. Gajigo Says Talib Bensouda Represents the Change Gambia Needs

By Fatou Sillah

Economist and politician Dr. Ousman Gajigo has explained his decision to back UNITE presidential candidate Talib Bensouda, saying he believes Bensouda represents the kind of political change The Gambia needs ahead of the December 2026 presidential election.

Speaking in an interview with Kerr Fatou, Gajigo said his decision followed months of reflection over the direction of the opposition and where he believed he could best contribute as the election approaches.

Gajigo, whose political movement previously merged with Gambia For All, recently announced his departure from the group and his decision to support the UNITE-led NUP Alliance.

He said the earlier merger with Gambia For All was motivated in part by concerns about a crowded opposition field and his belief that political groups with similar goals should work together rather than further fragment the opposition.

As the election drew closer, however, Gajigo said he concluded that the UNITE-led alliance was the political grouping with which he felt most aligned.

“I think Talib represents change,” Gajigo said.

He said he respects the people within the UNITE camp and believes Bensouda has generated enthusiasm among young Gambians who see his candidacy as offering an alternative to the country’s established political order.

Gajigo also cited Bensouda’s lack of central government experience as part of his appeal. Because Bensouda has not served in the national government, he argued, he cannot be held responsible for problems such as the rising cost of living, electricity shortages, and difficulties facing the agricultural sector.

Gajigo said his conversations with Bensouda had also given him confidence in the candidate’s understanding of the country’s economic challenges, as well as his willingness to listen and learn.

He said Bensouda’s emergence as a relatively new figure in national politics could also resonate with younger Gambians, particularly those who have spent much of their lives under the current administration.

Gajigo defended his decision to publicly declare his political allegiance months before the election, saying political actors should not wait until the final stages of the campaign to make their positions known.

With the December election approaching, he said, there was little time to waste.

“I think it’s very difficult to argue that there’s any other party that represents a break from the status quo more than UNITE,” Gajigo said.