The first confirmed candidate for the UDP ticket is Mayor Bensouda, who has decided to officially enter the campaign. He is 38 years old and represents a newer generation of party leadership, which could change the internal dynamics of the biggest opposition movement in The Gambia. His campaign is expected to provoke discussion on renewal and continuity at a pivotal point in the UDP’s history.
Having led the UDP from its founding in 1996, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe has long been associated with the party as its leader and secretary general. Darboe has previously stated that he intends to run for flagbearer once more, marking his sixth effort to guide the party into a presidential contest. It’s unclear as of this writing, though, if he has officially submitted his application.
If Darboe moves forward, the UDP may be faced with one of its most pivotal internal struggles to date: whether to support its seasoned leader once more or pass the torch to a younger person. Such a struggle, according to observers, would not only put the party’s unity to the test but also reveal the UDP’s strategy for challenging the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) in 2026.
As the UDP considers its leadership future and the electorate keenly monitors any indications of how the opposition would present its challenge in the upcoming presidential race, the development highlights the start of a significant chapter in Gambian politics.
