The leader of the Unite Movement for Change (UMC), Talib Ahmed Bensouda, has said his party remains open to coalition arrangements ahead of the 2026 presidential election but is fully prepared to contest independently if coalition efforts fail.
Addressing delegates at the UMC Women’s National Congress in Farafenni on Saturday, Bensouda revealed that the party recently hosted discussions involving other political stakeholders as part of ongoing efforts to forge a united opposition front. He emphasized, however, that any coalition involving UMC must be based on shared principles and a common vision for national development.
“We were in coalition talks, and UMC was the host. We had very important discussions,” Bensouda said. “We are not selfish. We accommodate everyone, and we will not refuse to work with good people to change this country.”
He stressed that while the party welcomes cooperation with like-minded groups and individuals, it is not dependent on coalition arrangements to participate effectively in the election.
“We want to work with people, but we are not afraid to go alone,” he said. “We can only work with those who share the same vision and beliefs because we are not here simply to win elections; we are here to develop the country.”
Bensouda also used the occasion to outline his vision for national development, arguing that The Gambia should pursue transformative and long-term development goals rather than focus on what he described as symbolic projects. He pointed to Singapore as a model of the type of development trajectory the UMC hopes to achieve.
“We do not want a Gambia where small projects are constantly being inaugurated or foundation stones are laid every day,” he said. “We want a Gambia that becomes a developed nation like Singapore.”
The UMC leader further expressed concern over what he described as growing insecurity across the country. Recounting his experiences travelling at night, he questioned the visibility of security personnel and argued that ensuring public safety should be the foremost responsibility of government.
“The Gambia no longer feels secure,” Bensouda said, maintaining that citizens’ safety must take precedence over political activities and public displays of support.
He warned against equating large political rallies with effective governance, insisting that governments should be judged by their ability to protect citizens and address pressing national concerns.
“Having a government is not about holding rallies and having people clap for you,” he said. “The first responsibility of government is to ensure security. Killings are increasing, theft is increasing, and these concerns are particularly serious in border communities.”
Bensouda pledged that strengthening law enforcement and improving public safety would be among the top priorities of a UMC administration should the party win power in 2026.
“If UMC comes to power, security will be the number one priority in this country,” he said.
