By Fatou Sillah
Talib Ahmed Bensouda, Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council and National Organizing Secretary of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has called on his party to unite behind a single mission: removing President Adama Barrow from office in the 2026 presidential election.
In remarks that signaled a strategic pivot for the UDP, Mr. Bensouda emphasized the need for a unified front focused on securing a UDP-led government.
“I want the United Democratic Party to focus on the most important thing, and that is how to remove President Adama Barrow in 2026. How to make sure we have a UDP government, I think that should be our goal,” he said.
But beyond the political strategy, Mr. Bensouda delivered a pointed critique of the tribal divisions he says are fracturing the party and undermining national unity. “I am disappointed, and I am a bit hurt, because discussions are around tribe; I really dislike tribal politics or tribal talk,” he said.
Addressing UDP supporters across all factions, including those aligned with himself and with party leader Ousainou Darboe, Mr. Bensouda called for reconciliation and solidarity. Stating, “I am talking to all UDP members, Pro Talib supporters, pro UDP supporters, Pro Ousainou Darboe supporters, we are all one family. Whoever we are, let’s try and talk about the advancement of our party.”
In a firm appeal, Mr. Bensouda warned against allowing tribal allegiances to undermine the UDP’s objectives or national cohesion.
“Our party policy, our party manifesto, how do we win the 2026 elections, how do we develop the Gambia, and let us understand that Gambia is a small country, everybody is related. My wife is Fulani, my mother is Mandinka, Fulas are part of my family, Wollofs, Manjako, Alkus and everybody, Christian community. We have to make sure we are one family,” he said.
He extended his message beyond the UDP to all Gambians, urging the nation to move past the politics of ethnicity.
“We should not allow anybody or anything to divide us, so please UDP people, please Gambians, let us cease and desist from taking about tribe; you can love somebody, you can support somebody, but support them on their character, on their development, on their track records, but never please discuss tribe, so I want this conversation to stop,” he said.
The Mayor further called on Gambians to move away from tribal and partisan politics, warning that such divisions have caused significant harm to the nation.
“I am appealing to everybody, let us stop the tribe talk. Tribe has destroy this country, it has really brought a lot of problems, let us cease and desist and talk about what will take this country forward,” He Says