Bensouda Rules Out Rejoining UDP but Leaves Door Open to Opposition Cooperation

By Fatou Sillah

Talib Ahmed Bensouda, the leader of UNITE and the presidential candidate of Coalition 2026, said he would never rejoin the United Democratic Party, though he is willing to discuss cooperation with it before the Dec. 5 presidential election.

His remarks come as calls grow for opposition parties to work together ahead of the vote. Much of the public discussion has centered on whether UNITE and the U.D.P., led by Ousainou Darboe, can set aside their differences.

“UNITE has always maintained that we are ready to sit at the table with any political opposition to discuss a future where Gambia progresses, so we are open to it,” Mr. Bensouda said.

But he drew a firm line between cooperating with the party and returning to it. Mr. Bensouda won the mayoralty of the Kanifing Municipal Council running under the U.D.P. banner.

“No, I will never go back to UDP,” he said. “I’m a party leader of our own outfit and, of course, a coalition leader with other partners.”

UNITE was formally registered as a political party earlier this year. Mr. Bensouda was then chosen as the presidential candidate of Coalition 2026, an alliance of opposition parties and political movements.

Any relationship with the U.D.P., he said, would have to rest on talks about shared interests and the possibility of a broader partnership.

“What we can do is open dialogue, look at areas of collaboration, and look at a potential future where there’s a partnership,” he said. “But Talib suddenly joining UDP as a member, that’s not a possibility.”

His comments leave open the possibility of cooperation between two groups that went separate ways during coalition negotiations earlier this year. The U.D.P. is now working with other groups, including Gambia for All, while Mr. Bensouda leads Coalition 2026 into the December election.