Bensouda Urges Supporters to Shun Insults and Personal Attacks as 2026 Election Nears

By Fatou Sillah

Talib Ahmed Bensouda, the flagbearer of Coalition 2026, has urged his supporters to refrain from insults, personal attacks, and disparaging rhetoric as political parties intensify preparations for The Gambia’s December 2026 presidential election.

Speaking at the signing ceremony for Coalition 2026’s Memorandum of Understanding, Bensouda said political disagreements should center on ideas and competing visions for the country rather than attacks on individuals.

“Let us not allow politicians to divide us,” Bensouda said. “Politics without respect is not politics; politics is about ideas. If you are disagreeing with someone, your disagreement is with how The Gambia should go.”

He called on Coalition 2026 supporters to exercise discipline and respect when engaging with political opponents, saying insults, castigation, and attempts to belittle others should have no place in the coalition’s political activities.

“If you are a supporter of Coalition 2026, that should not be your program or attitude,” he said.

Bensouda also pledged that a Coalition 2026 government would serve all Gambians regardless of their political affiliation or how they vote in the election.

“Those who vote for us and those who do not vote for us, we will make everybody equal and work for all of them,” he said.

He added that the coalition remained open to political parties and other actors interested in joining its effort ahead of the election.

“Our doors are open for all political parties and actors to join Coalition 2026,” Bensouda said.

Bensouda also expressed confidence about his prospects in the Dec. 5 presidential election, predicting that he would defeat President Adama Barrow and lead Coalition 2026 to the State House.