Bensouda Pledges to Sign Peace Pact First, Vows to Criminalise Tribalism

By Seedy Jobe

Talib Ahmed Bensouda, leader of UNITE party and flagbearer of Coalition 2026, has said his party and coalition will be the first to sign the peace pact ahead of the 5 December election. He has also pledged to criminalise tribalism if elected.

Mr. Bensouda made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Kerr Fatou, where he was asked whether UNITE would honour the peace pact and how he would deal with violence by his own supporters.

He said UNITE was founded on peace, stability and inclusiveness, and that The Gambia’s long tradition of peace must be protected. In his view, the country’s current toxic political climate, marked by tribal rhetoric and personal insults, began under President Adama Barrow.

Mr. Bensouda accused the Barrow camp of fuelling tribal politics, citing remarks made during the president’s “meet the people” tour. He pointed to Lands Minister Hamat Bah, who he said had declared that a foreigner would never lead The Gambia and that a Lebanese would never govern the country.

He further alleged that President Barrow encouraged impunity in the last election by telling supporters they could do as they pleased and that the government was behind them. According to Mr. Bensouda, supporters take their cue from the leadership.

He said his coalition’s manifesto commits to criminalising tribalism for all, in government and opposition alike, because “tribalism destroys a country.”

Mr. Bensouda said he had instructed his team to publicly condemn a woman accused of insulting Mandinkas in UNITE’s name, and to expel her from the party if she is confirmed to be a member. He said the step was meant to demonstrate that UNITE would not tolerate hate speech within its ranks.

On violence by supporters, he said anyone in the party who initiates violence would be publicly condemned, adding that no serious leader who wants the best for his country would want his supporters to start violence.

He also said he had personally contacted UNITE supporters in the diaspora, urging them to concentrate on promoting the coalition’s agenda and not to respond to insults or provocation.

Mr. Bensouda concluded that his ambition is to lead a nation built on peace, progress and prosperity, stressing that national development is not possible without a foundation of peace.