By Seedy Jobe
Political analyst and lecturer Essa Njie has cast doubt on the Unite Movement for Change’s overtures toward a potential coalition with the United Democratic Party ahead of the 2026 presidential election, arguing that the UMC has yet to articulate a coherent ideology that would justify such an alliance.
In an interview with Kerr Fatou on Thursday, Njie questioned the logic of the UMC seeking to align with the party it recently split from, especially after citing ideological and leadership differences.
“If you leave the UDP because you believe that Ousainou Darboe should not be the candidate, what about if you go into a coalition with the UDP and Ousainou Darboe happens to emerge as the candidate for that coalition? What are you going to do?” Njie asked.
Njie said the UMC has offered little clarity on its political philosophy or governing vision, raising concerns about the substance of its coalition ambitions. “What is the UDP’s ideology? And what is the UMC’s ideology? Because for now, I’ve not had any ideology being sold by the UMC,” he said.
He further suggested that personal ambition, rather than institutional reform, appears to be shaping the party’s decisions. Referring to former UDP Organizing Secretary Talib Bensouda—whose split from Darboe helped galvanize the UMC—Njie questioned the strategic reasoning behind the group’s recent moves.
“If you leave the UDP because you want Talib to be the candidate, why should you go back to another person or another party or coalition where Talib is not leading?” Njie queried.
Njie also underscored the centrality of trust in political organizations, defending Bensouda’s decision to sever ties with Darboe. “When Talib withdrew, there was no trust again between him and Mr. Darboe… him and Mr. Darboe, and in an organization, even in a relationship, if there’s no trust, it cannot work.”
Njie’s remarks add a critical voice to the growing debate over coalition politics as parties maneuver for advantage ahead of the 2026 vote.