By Fatou Sillah
Mama Kandeh, leader of the Gambia Democratic Congress, said his party would not enter into a coalition with the United Democratic Party, citing what he described as the opposition party’s insistence on leading any alliance it joins.
In an interview with Eye Africa, Mr. Kandeh said the United Democratic Party’s stance leaves little room for negotiation, which he described as essential to coalition-building.
“My position remains the same,” he said. “GDC will not form a coalition with UDP because UDP has already said it will lead any coalition it joins. There is nothing to discuss, and coalition-building is all about negotiations.”
Mr. Kandeh emphasized that opposition unity would be critical in mounting a viable challenge to the incumbent in the 2026 elections, noting that no single party is likely to command sufficient support on its own.
“Coalition is important because the numbers each of us has individually are not enough to unseat the incumbent,” he said. “But coalition demands serious negotiations, and every party wants to lead.”
He added that the country’s three largest political parties — the ruling National People’s Party, the Gambia Democratic Congress, and the United Democratic Party — hold the bulk of electoral support, making any coalition that excludes them difficult to sustain.
“For me, NPP, GDC, and UDP have the numbers, and any coalition without these three political parties will be difficult,” he said.
Still, Mr. Kandeh signaled openness to an alternative alliance, suggesting that a so-called “third force” coalition could emerge. He pointed to potential collaboration with Talib Ahmed Bensouda and Essa Mbye Faal, among others.
“At this point, we are looking to see where we can all align to make that happen,” he said. “What matters is that The Gambia achieves the change it deserves in 2026. That is what GDC wants, and I believe that is what others want as well.”
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