Bensouda Accuses Government of Altering Local Government Commission Report, Questions Legality of Its Release

By Fatou Sillah

Talib Ahmed Bensouda, leader of the UNITE Party and Coalition 2026 presidential candidate, has accused the government of inserting additional information into the Local Government Commission of Inquiry report before making it public, alleging that the published document differs from the version submitted to President Adama Barrow.

Speaking at a Coalition 2026 rally in Old Yundum on Friday, Mr. Bensouda questioned the legality and credibility of the report, accusing the government of manipulating the commission’s findings to undermine his presidential ambitions ahead of the December 5 election.

The Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) mayor claimed to have reviewed three versions of the commission’s report, including an initial draft, a revised draft, and the final document submitted to President Barrow.

He alleged that the version subsequently released to the public contained information that did not appear in the earlier documents.

“The commission report that they published last night is illegal, and a day will come, we are going to investigate this report,” Mr. Bensouda said.

He did not specify which sections of the published report he believed had been altered or identify the information he alleged had been added.

Mr. Bensouda also criticized the timing of the government’s release of its White Paper on the commission’s findings, questioning why the document was made public late at night.

He alleged that the timing was politically motivated and intended to influence public opinion ahead of the presidential election.

“Last night they came out to steal our election,” he said, accusing the government of attempting to use the commission’s findings against his candidacy.

The Coalition 2026 leader portrayed the report’s publication as part of a broader pattern of political pressure that he said began after his election as mayor of KMC.

He claimed that successive attempts had been made to obstruct his administration and weaken his political standing but insisted that he remained prepared to confront any challenges.

Mr. Bensouda also rejected suggestions that the controversy would destabilize Coalition 2026 or derail his presidential campaign.

“What I can tell you, and I have been saying, is that Coalition 2026 is unshakable. Talib Ahmed Bensouda is unmovable,” he said.

He further claimed that the Local Government Commission of Inquiry had affected approximately 1,000 local government employees, arguing that the investigation was ultimately intended to target him politically.

Mr. Bensouda maintained that his record as mayor demonstrated a commitment to improving public services and advancing development in KMC, rather than engaging in misconduct.

He insisted that his decisions in office had been guided by the municipality’s development needs and the interests of its residents.

The allegations raise questions about the integrity of the commission’s published findings, although Mr. Bensouda did not present documentary evidence at the rally to substantiate his claims that the report had been altered.

His accusations remain unverified, and the government’s response to the specific allegations was not included in the account of his remarks.