Mayor Bensouda Vows to Fight Poverty, Backway Migration Under Coalition 2026 Government

By Fatou Sillah

Talib Ahmed Bensouda, the flagbearer of Coalition 2026, has pledged to tackle poverty and address the economic conditions he says are driving young Gambians to undertake dangerous irregular migration journeys if his coalition wins the December presidential election.

Speaking at a Coalition 2026 rally in Badibou Salikeni, Bensouda described poverty as one of the country’s most pressing challenges and said reducing it would be a priority of his administration.

He also addressed irregular migration, commonly known in The Gambia as the “Backway,” saying too many young Gambians are leaving their families behind and risking their lives at sea in search of better economic opportunities abroad.

Bensouda said a Coalition 2026 government would seek to create opportunities for young people across the country, including in Badibou, Kiang, Basse and Kartong, so they can build successful lives at home rather than feel compelled to leave.

“The issue of poverty—President Barrow thinks that should be happening,” Bensouda said. “Under my leadership, I will fight poverty in this country. The Gambia is one of the smallest countries in Africa; everybody should be financially stable.”

He added: “Today, our youths are taking the Backway, leaving their families behind, and people are getting lost at sea. Under Coalition 2026, the youth in Badibou, Kiang, Basse and Kartong will be born and raised here and will make it here. Nobody will take the Backway.”

Bensouda also criticized President Adama Barrow’s administration, accusing it of failing to deliver on promises made to Gambians ahead of the 2021 presidential election, including pledges related to employment.

He argued that voters should choose a change of government in December.

Bensouda also raised concerns about conditions at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, saying a recent visit to see a sick person left him troubled by conditions at the country’s main referral hospital.

He said he saw patients lying on the floor and described conditions in the Accident and Emergency Department as poor. He questioned how patients could be expected to recover under such circumstances, noting that the hospital is located near State House.

“What Adama Barrow cannot do in 10 years, he cannot do in 15 years,” Bensouda said. “Barrow’s time is up. In December, you are going to give us our State House.”