Bensouda Defends Record as KMC Mayor, Says He Would Be in Prison if He Were Corrupt

By Fatou Sillah

Talib Ahmed Bensouda, the leader of UNITE and presidential candidate of Coalition 2026, has defended his record as mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council, arguing that authorities would have prosecuted him by now if there were evidence that he had engaged in corruption.

Mr. Bensouda said billions of dalasis in tax revenue and grants had passed through the council during his tenure and maintained that, as a prominent opposition politician, he would have faced investigation and prosecution if the government had had evidence of wrongdoing.

“If I was corrupt, by now I would be in prison,” Mr. Bensouda said. “Billions of dalasis have passed through KMC, whether through grants or tax revenue. If I were corrupt, by now they would have dealt with me.”

Mr. Bensouda also said he was financially secure before entering politics and rejected suggestions that his decision to seek public office was motivated by personal financial gain.

“I was comfortable before entering politics,” he said, adding that his private business was sufficient to meet his financial needs. “If it was just about money, I would not have become mayor because I don’t need public funds.”

Mr. Bensouda accused the government of attempting to weaken his political support after it became apparent that he might contest the 2026 presidential election. He did not provide specific evidence for that assertion.

He said those efforts had not deterred him and reaffirmed his intention to contest the election as Coalition 2026’s presidential candidate.

Mr. Bensouda also claimed that Coalition 2026 was gaining support across the country, while playing down comparisons of crowd sizes at political events. He said the coalition was focused on building support among voters rather than competing with rival parties over attendance at rallies.