By Fatou Sillah
Political analyst Musa Jeng said opposition parties in The Gambia must be prepared to make concessions to form a successful coalition ahead of the 2026 presidential election, noting that leadership remains the most contentious issue.
In an interview with West Coast Radio, Mr. Jeng highlighted that the United Democratic Party (UDP) is unlikely to compromise on its preferred candidate, making negotiation and sacrifice essential among all coalition partners.
“There is one thing that they would never compromise on, and that is their candidate has to lead, and this is where I think the sacrifice has to happen from all the political players. I think there’s no compromise,” he said.
While opposition parties may find common ground on policy matters, including civil service and security sector reforms, Mr. Jeng said reaching an agreement on coalition leadership remains the most difficult hurdle.
“UDP might compromise on other things; they might, but their candidate has to lead,” he added.
Mr. Jeng also pointed to the opposition’s 2016 electoral success, which he attributed to a unified platform, underscoring that a coalition remains critical for any future electoral strategy.
He stressed that forming a viable coalition will require sustained dialogue, patience, and a willingness to place collective national interest above individual political ambitions.
“This is bigger than any programs, bigger than any of us,” he said.
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