By Buba Gagigo
The ongoing debate over the flag bearer for the United Democratic Party (UDP) has resurfaced, reigniting internal tensions and sparking heated exchanges among party members on social media.
The latest wave of controversy follows an interview by Banjul Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe, in which she claimed that the UDP is now split into two rival factions—one aligned with the party leader, Ousainu Darboe, and the other with Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda.
Mayor Lowe also accused the UDP leadership of failing to protect her from years of sustained personal attacks and internal vilification by fellow party members. She specifically cited Mark Janneh, a UDP member and outspoken supporter of Mayor Bensouda, as one of the key figures behind the smear campaigns against her. Despite the prolonged nature of these attacks, Lowe alleged that the party’s leadership chose to remain silent.
In response, UDP member Ousman Ceesay publicly challenged Lowe’s assertions.
“I am a card-carrying member of the UDP, and I do not take a back seat to anyone on matters concerning our party,” he wrote. “What Rohey Malick Lowe did on EyeAfrica Television was both calculated and cynical, but it is part of the robust internal political debates we must embrace as a party. We cannot afford to shy away from these discussions—they are essential, healthy, and will ultimately help us realign and refocus on what truly matters.”
Ceesay further criticized Mayor Lowe for “jumping from one Facebook comment section to another, threatening to leave the party,” saying that while freedom of association is her right, the party should not be “held hostage to Rohey’s tantrums and sense of entitlement.”
“She has been coddled, and her divisive behavior has been tolerated for far too long. Let the games begin,” he concluded.
Political commentator Nanama Keita also weighed in, arguing that tribal politics is not unique to The Gambia and must be addressed openly.
“Tribal politics is a natural human instinct, visible even in the world’s most advanced democracies,” Keita wrote, citing former U.S. President Donald Trump’s offer of expedited refugee status to white South African farmers as an example.
Keita warned that with Mandinkas comprising only 34.4% of The Gambia’s population—of which at least 10% support President Barrow’s National People’s Party (NPP)—an ethnically exclusive strategy would be politically untenable.
“UDP faces what I call the ‘Talib dilemma.’ Any attempt to bypass Talib Bensouda in favor of Yankuba Darboe would likely be seen as a Mandinka power play and would face significant resistance at the polls. Talib has already proven his political strength, while Yanks, despite his promising work at the Brikama Area Council, is still new to leadership.”
Keita argued that the UDP’s best path to victory in 2026 would be to present Bensouda as the presidential candidate, forge an alliance with a credible party like the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), and commit to firm term limits.
“By the time a two-term President Talib steps down, Yanks will be well-positioned to lead, allowing the UDP to establish a long-term leadership cycle that evolves with the times and reflects the diversity of the Gambian population,” Keita suggested.
In a sharp rebuttal, Yankuba Darboe, Chairperson of the UDP’s West Coast Region, responded:
“They want to overthrow our party leader overnight with their illogical Mandinkaphobia! It’s not happening! If you hate Mandinka leadership of UDP, form your own party, and get your non-Mandinka leader for your party, it’s called democracy!!!”
Ismaila Fadera, President of the UDP Student Wing, also criticized Keita’s commentary.
“With all due respect, it’s becoming harder to tell what Nanama Keita is contributing to the discourse beyond stirring up needless distraction,” Fadera wrote. “At a time when constructive input is needed, the noise is louder than the substance. If there’s a real agenda or value to add, now would be the time to show it because political relevance isn’t built on controversy, it’s earned through contribution.”
While the debate has continued to dominate social media among UDP supporters, both Talib Bensouda and Ousainu Darboe have remained publicly silent on the matter.