Ebrima S. Bah has resigned with immediate effect as secretary of the Coalition 2026 Mediation Committee, citing a loss of confidence in the coalition-building process.
In a letter dated August 2 and addressed to the Coalition 2026 General Assembly, Bah said he had accepted the position believing that an all-inclusive grand coalition offered the most credible path to defeating the incumbent and presenting Gambians with a united alternative in the 2026 election.
Bah said that belief had guided his work on the committee, including meetings, consultations, draft proposals and efforts to bridge differences among coalition members.
However, after months of negotiations and attempts to reach common ground, he said he no longer believed the coalition’s original objective could be achieved under the current framework.
“It would not be honest of me to continue in a mediation role while holding that view,” Bah wrote.
He stressed that his resignation was not a criticism of the commitment or goodwill of individual members of the General Assembly. Instead, he described the decision as an acknowledgement that the conditions needed to achieve the proposed all-inclusive coalition no longer existed.
Bah thanked the assembly for the trust placed in him and described serving alongside members of the Mediation Committee as an honour. He also expressed appreciation for the relationships developed during the process.
Despite his departure, Bah wished the assembly well in its continuing deliberations. He urged Coalition 2026 to ensure that any future political arrangement prioritises the interests of Gambians and the need for unity, credible leadership and democratic renewal.
Coalition 2026 had not issued a response to the resignation at the time of publication.
