By Fatou Sillah
Talib Ahmed Bensouda, leader of the UNITE Party, said that repeated attacks questioning his ethnicity and family background would not discourage him from pursuing his political ambitions, arguing that such criticisms have accompanied him throughout his political career.
Speaking on the Dialectic Space Podcast, Mr. Bensouda said he had faced similar remarks during previous political contests, including his campaign for the leadership of the Kanifing Municipal Council, but said the criticism had not prevented his electoral success.
He said political competition should center on policies, ideas, and leadership rather than a candidate’s ethnicity or family origins.
Responding to claims challenging his Gambian identity, Mr. Bensouda defended his heritage, saying his family’s roots in the country are well established.
“If we did a test on Gambian lineage and we dared each other, if somebody is more Gambian than the other, then the loser will be exiled. I think I will defeat 99 percent of people who make those claims,” he said.
Mr. Bensouda also said he does not devote time to responding to individuals who frequently criticize him, adding that his priority is engaging with Gambians and developing policies that address the country’s challenges.
During the interview, he characterized some of his persistent critics as people with “questionable mental health” and said he had no interest in engaging in personal attacks.
“I think I’ve done my own diagnosis that there are a lot of mental health patients in Gambia’s political circle, and I can’t engage with that,” he said.
Mr. Bensouda said political leaders should ultimately be judged by their conduct, character, and ability to serve the public, rather than by attacks directed at their identity or ancestry.
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