By Fatou Sillah
The Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council and co-founder of the Unite Movement for Change, Talib Ahmed Bensouda, has urged Gambians to reject tribal and religious politics as the country approaches the December 5, 2026, elections.
Speaking in an interview with West Coast Radio, Bensouda called on citizens and political actors to prioritize national unity, policy-driven debates, and issue-based campaigning.
He noted that election periods can be particularly challenging for countries, often marked by heightened political tensions and the risk of conflict. He stressed the importance of avoiding any form of violence during the campaign season.
“Elections are a difficult period for the country. There are a lot of different parties advocating for themselves, and most times, there’s a lot of potential conflict and potential violence that may come with it. And that’s definitely something we don’t want in this tiny country,” he said.
Bensouda emphasized that political engagement should be guided by discipline, mutual respect, and dignity, even in the face of differing viewpoints.
“It largely speaks to how we conduct ourselves on the political trail, on the campaign trail. It’s about discipline, it’s about issues, it’s about policy; we agree to disagree but always with respect and with dignity,” he stated.
He further cautioned political parties and their supporters against exploiting identity politics—such as tribe, religion, gender, or age—for electoral gain.
“Never advocate for your party using tribe or religion or gender or age; I always say advocate for content, always talk about what you will bring for the people, and hope that they buy your message,” he added.
Bensouda also called for unity beyond the elections, encouraging Gambians to work together regardless of the outcome.
“And whoever wins this election, let’s all try to come together and build a better country for all,” he said.
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