By Seedy Jobe
Former Vice President and Democratic Renaissance Party (DRP) leader Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang has urged coalition leaders to present Gambians with a clear roadmap for the 2026 presidential election within the next two months, saying the public deserves certainty as discussions over a united opposition strategy continue.
Speaking in an interview with Kerr Fatou, Ms. Tambajang said coalition stakeholders are reviewing various options, including both candidate-led and party-led models, and should reach a decision before the end of August or September.
She said the coalition is reassessing its approach in light of recent political developments, including the withdrawal of some parties from ongoing talks. While acknowledging that an independent candidate model was adopted in the past, she argued that the strategy should be evaluated against present political realities and the aspirations of Gambian voters.
Drawing on her experience in coalition-building across Africa, Ms. Tambajang said any arrangement adopted for the 2026 elections must reflect the wishes of the Gambian people rather than past precedents.
She expressed skepticism about returning to the independent candidate model used in the 2016 elections, arguing that the experience had already demonstrated its limitations.
“Realistically, we have tested this. We have tested an independent candidate, and it doesn’t work,” she said.
Ms. Tambajang said that if coalition partners conclude that the current framework is no longer viable, they should be prepared to consider a party-led coalition as an alternative.
Despite the withdrawal of major opposition parties, including the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), she said the DRP and the remaining coalition members remain committed to dialogue, describing continued engagement as essential to building national consensus.
She added that her support lies with whichever approach ultimately commands the confidence of the majority of Gambians, whether that is an independent candidate or a party-led coalition.
“We will engage them; that’s how national development works. You don’t get angry, but you don’t get tired. We will continue to dialogue with those who said party-led and with those who said independent-led and pray to God to guide us all and to take the best option for The Gambia,” she said.
Ms. Tambajang stressed that dialogue remains the most effective way to bridge political differences and urged coalition leaders to continue negotiations in good faith. However, she said that if the process ultimately proves unsuccessful, political leaders have a responsibility to be transparent with the public.
“I am a fan of dialoguing. And if it doesn’t work, we have a responsibility of telling the Gambian people that this is not working,” she said.
She concluded by emphasizing that coalition leaders should, by the end of August or September, present Gambians with a definitive position on the path they believe offers the best chance for the country’s future.
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