The Gambia Movement for Progress (GMP), led by Professor Sidat Yaffa, has announced an alliance with the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), just hours after withdrawing from Coalition 2026 over disagreements about its treatment and the coalition’s internal decision-making.
Yaffa announced the move on Monday in a video message to supporters, saying the GMP executive committee had approved the decision.
He said the party withdrew from Coalition 2026 because it felt its contributions were not being adequately recognised. Following its exit, the executive committee agreed to cooperate with the NPP under an arrangement based on mutual support.
Yaffa stressed that the agreement did not mean the GMP was merging with the ruling party. He said the GMP would retain its separate identity while working with the NPP, citing similar alliance arrangements involving the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) and APP-Sobeyaa.
The announcement followed Yaffa’s formal notification to Coalition 2026 flag bearer Talib Ahmed Bensouda that the GMP’s withdrawal would take effect on September 24, 2026.
In his letter to Bensouda, Yaffa outlined several grievances behind the decision. He cited what he described as disrespect towards the GMP at a coalition rally in Brikama, where the party was allegedly denied an opportunity to speak despite finishing second in the flag-bearer selection process.
He also objected to what he characterised as the portrayal of Coalition 2026 as a UNITE Party project, arguing that this contradicted the coalition’s principles of collective leadership and decision-making.
Yaffa further accused Bensouda of failing to suspend his membership of the UNITE Party and take the oath of office required under the coalition agreement.
The GMP’s departure represents a shift in the opposition alliance landscape ahead of the December 5, 2026 presidential election. The party had participated in Coalition 2026’s flag-bearer selection process, which resulted in Bensouda’s emergence as its presidential candidate.
The move to align with the NPP places the GMP in cooperation with the governing party as political alliances continue to evolve ahead of the polls. Yaffa’s explanation of the decision centred on the party’s stated concerns about recognition, representation and adherence to coalition agreements.
