Coalition 2026 Unveils Manifesto, Pledges Emergency Measures to Tackle Cost of Living

By Seedy Jobe

Coalition 2026, led by Banjul Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda, launched its election manifesto on Thursday at the Atlantic Hotel in Banjul, outlining an ambitious agenda to address the rising cost of living, strengthen national security, reform public institutions, and improve healthcare.

The coalition, which is seeking victory in the December 5 presidential election, pledged to declare the rising cost of living a national emergency and introduce measures aimed at easing the financial burden on Gambian households.

Under its proposed Emergency Cost of Living Programme, the coalition promised to reduce the cost of essential food commodities, public transportation, and electricity within its first 12 months in office. A dedicated task force would be established to set price-reduction targets and monitor the monthly cost of a basket of basic household necessities.

The manifesto also proposes a sector-based minimum wage framework, beginning with government employees, alongside targeted tariffs on selected imported food products where sufficient domestic production capacity exists.

To promote local businesses, the coalition pledged to introduce a Gambians-first procurement policy requiring eligible government contracts to be awarded to Gambian-owned enterprises.

It also proposed establishing a National Development Bank to provide long-term financing for manufacturing, agro-processing, fisheries, and infrastructure development.

On national security, the coalition promised to complete key security sector reforms and enable Gambian forces to assume full responsibility for the country’s security within two years, ending reliance on troops from the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG).

The manifesto further commits to establishing minimum police deployment standards in rapidly growing urban communities and introducing a comprehensive strategy to combat serious crimes and homicides within the first year.

It also proposes deploying trained welfare officers to every police station to handle cases involving women, children, and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

In one of its more consequential criminal justice proposals, the coalition pledged to enforce the death penalty in capital cases within six months of assuming office, but only after all appeals have been exhausted and stringent safeguards against wrongful convictions have been satisfied.

On governance, Coalition 2026 promised to separate the offices of Attorney General and Minister of Justice, establishing the Attorney General as an independent constitutional office tasked with protecting the public interest and upholding the Constitution.

The coalition also outlined plans to modernize the armed forces through transparent promotion procedures, improved professional training, and the provision of appropriate operational vehicles and equipment. It pledged to expand housing, medical care, and family welfare support for security personnel.

Healthcare featured prominently in the manifesto, with the coalition committing to increase health spending to at least 15 percent of the national budget within three years, in line with the Abuja Declaration.

It also promised a workforce development and welfare programme for healthcare professionals, alongside the decentralization of primary healthcare services to improve access in underserved communities.

The manifesto sets out an extensive programme of reforms, with several major commitments tied to deadlines ranging from six months to three years. Its implementation would depend on the coalition’s ability to secure the presidency in December and mobilize the financial and institutional resources required to deliver on its promises.