Political analyst Bun Dawda has sharply criticised the newly announced alliance between the governing National People’s Party (NPP) and The Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) questioning the political and financial motives behind the agreement.
The alliance was formally signed at State House in Banjul on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, amid jubilant celebrations by supporters of both parties.
Speaking on AG Radio’s Wednesday Special Programme, Bun Dawda said he was not surprised by GDC leader Mama Kandeh’s decision to join forces with President Adama Barrow and the ruling NPP.
He stated that negotiations between the two parties had been taking place behind closed doors for some time, arguing that the formal signing merely confirmed speculation that had circulated within political circles.
Bun Dawda criticized Kandeh for abandoning grassroots supporters who had regarded the GDC as a strong opposition alternative to the Barrow administration. He said the GDC leader now owed those supporters an explanation for agreeing to back a government his party had previously sought to remove from office.
“To understand Mama Kandeh’s political decisions, one must examine his record going back to the era of former President Yahya Jammeh,” Bun Dawda said.
The analyst stated that Kandeh had never clearly condemned Jammeh’s rule or the human-rights violations associated with the former administration. He also revisited an earlier controversy surrounding the GDC manifesto, saying that parts of the document had been copied from the manifesto of a political party in Ghana.
“Kandeh has never been a serious politician,” Bun Dawda stated.
Bun Dawda further suggested that financial pressures may have influenced Kandeh’s decision to enter the alliance. He argued that maintaining an opposition party in The Gambia without a regular source of funding can be difficult, particularly for a political organisation operating nationwide.
He said that Kandeh’s personal financial circumstances and lifestyle may have pushed him towards an agreement with the ruling party.
“Kandeh lives a lavish lifestyle, and maintaining it requires substantial resources. I believe he may have demanded a significant amount of money as part of the agreement with President Barrow,” Bun Dawda said.
He maintained that the alliance appeared to be driven less by ideological agreement or confidence in the NPP administration than by personal and financial considerations.
Bun Dawda also argued that the development raised broader concerns about the quality of political leadership in The Gambia and the motivations of individuals seeking the presidency. He said anyone aspiring to lead the country should demonstrate consistency, integrity and a clear commitment to the national interest.
The political analyst described the alliance as a major setback for GDC supporters who had remained loyal to the party because they believed it represented an independent alternative to both the NPP and other established political organisations.
