Darboe Says Opposition Unity Still Possible Before December Election, Dismisses Age Concerns

By Fatou Sillah

ANM Ousainu Darboe, leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and presidential candidate of the Gambia First Coalition, has expressed optimism that opposition alliances could unite ahead of December’s presidential election, arguing that differences over leadership should not stand in the way of a common political objective.

Speaking in an interview with Eye Africa, the veteran opposition leader said bringing together Gambia First, Coalition 2026, and Team Gambia remained a realistic possibility, provided their leaders were willing to engage in constructive dialogue.

Darboe acknowledged that selecting a presidential candidate for a unified opposition could present challenges but insisted that such differences were not insurmountable.

“It’s not a problem that is unresolvable,” he said when asked who would lead a potential alliance of the three political groupings.

He explained that the UDP had already selected him as its presidential candidate before the formation of Gambia First, adding that the coalition subsequently aligned itself with the party because it considered the UDP a viable political platform.

While declining to speak on behalf of the other opposition coalitions, Darboe expressed confidence that President Adama Barrow would be defeated in the December election.

The UDP leader also pushed back against calls for him to step aside in favor of a younger presidential candidate, including Talib Ahmed Bensouda, leader of the UNITE movement.

Darboe maintained that such demands did not reflect the position of the UDP, whose members had formally endorsed his candidacy.

“Those are views which the United Democratic Party, which the person you mentioned was part of, that is not their view. Maybe the views of some few individuals, but that’s not the view of the United Democratic Party that selected me,” he said.

Addressing concerns about his age, Darboe questioned why it had become a determining factor in discussions about his political future. He argued that advancing age should not automatically disqualify a candidate from seeking public office, suggesting instead that experience often brings greater wisdom, maturity, and a stronger sense of responsibility.

He also dismissed criticism of his repeated unsuccessful presidential bids, disputing the suggestion that his electoral record should prevent him from contesting again.

According to Darboe, many Gambians believe previous elections in which he participated were neither free nor fair, making it unreasonable, in his view, to judge his political prospects solely on those outcomes.

His remarks come amid continuing discussions about opposition unity ahead of the December presidential election, with questions surrounding leadership, candidate selection, and political cooperation remaining central to efforts to mount a collective challenge against President Barrow.

Although Darboe stopped short of announcing any formal agreement with the other coalitions, his comments signaled a willingness to explore a broader opposition alliance before voters head to the polls.