Even if the United Democratic Party (UDP) offered him the post of flagbearer for the 2026 presidential election, Kanifing Municipal Council Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda has stated that he will not be joining the party again. Mr. Bensouda stated in an interview with Deutsche Welle that his decision to leave the UDP is not motivated by personal ambition but rather by disagreements in political perspective.
“With the UDP, I believe there are possibilities for partnerships. Like I said, this is not an issue of self-interest or me personally wanting to be president; it is an issue of a different belief I have about how democratic entities should be run,” he said.
Mr. Bensouda clarified that the foundation of his new political movement is a wish to give national development and issue-based politics precedence above campaigns driven by individuals.
“This decision is not personal at all; it is just a difference in views. One thing I want to divorce myself from is personality politics, and that’s something that is done a lot in Gambia. You seldom hear politicians talking about issues; they spend all their time up to the point of elections talking about each other, so this movement is different,” he said.
He underlined that the goal of the program is not to weaken the UDP. “This movement is not anti-UDP; I believe there is a lot of misrepresentation surrounding it. I’ve really had conversations with a number of UDP leaders and told them that I don’t want anyone to leave the party because they may see an opportunity for their own gain. Of course, I’m not urging anyone to abandon a party. I’m saying that if you support our movement, you’re welcome no matter where you’re from or who you are,” he stated.
According to the mayor, the new platform would prioritize national growth, accountability, and openness.
“We are not opposed to individuals; we are opposed to poverty, corruption, and backwardness. What we want is a genuine transformation in The Gambia. We would like to work with everybody as far as it is aligned with our principles and values and our vision for the country,” he said.
