By Seedy Jobe
Opposition coalitions in Senegal offer valuable lessons for Gambian political parties as they prepare for future elections, according to Mc Cham Jnr, Business Councilor at the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) and a member of the Unite Movement For Change (UMC).
Speaking on coalition dynamics, Mc Cham Jnr argued that effective coalition leadership depends on strategic assessments of electoral viability, candidate credibility, and popular appeal rather than organizational seniority or historical performance.
“Evidence from Senegal challenges the assumption that coalition leadership naturally accrues to the largest or longest established party,” he stated.
Cham cited the 2012 Senegalese presidential election as a key example. Opposition parties united behind Macky Sall, who was perceived as a credible and competitive challenger capable of mobilizing broad support and advancing a reformist agenda. His subsequent victory validated this strategic approach.
“Sall was widely viewed as a more credible and competitive challenger, capable of mobilising broad support and articulating a reformist agenda. His victory confirmed the rational basis of this coalition strategy,” he said.
A similar dynamic he argued emerged during the 2024 election cycle, when PASTEF chose not to form an alliance with Rewmi, despite the latter’s seniority and strong performance in the 2019 elections, stating, “Coalition choices reflected assessments of leadership legitimacy, mobilisation capacity, and resonance with voters rather than claims rooted in historical status.”
The councilor emphasized that Senegal’s experience offers broader insights into contemporary opposition politics, where rational, outcome-oriented strategies increasingly outweigh retrospective claims to dominance.
“Opposition coalition leadership in Senegal is primarily determined by perceptions of credibility, popular momentum, and the ability to win elections,” he said.
His observations hold particular weight for The Gambia, where opposition groups are actively weighing potential coalitions ahead of the 2026 polls.
The coming months will reveal how effectively these parties can forge alliances and settle on unified leadership in their bid for power.
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