UDP Rejects Claims of Consensus on Candidate-Led Opposition Coalition

By Fama Keita, Banjul

Contrary to recent media reports suggesting that opposition parties have reached a consensus on adopting a candidate-led coalition model for the 2026 presidential election, fresh divisions appear to have emerged within the ongoing coalition talks, with the United Democratic Party (UDP) insisting on a party-led arrangement.

The disagreement has cast doubt on claims that opposition stakeholders had settled on a single framework to select a unity candidate ahead of the December 2026 polls.

Speaking to Hill Top, the Deputy External Secretary of the UDP, Dr. Lamin Manneh, dismissed reports that opposition parties had unanimously endorsed a candidate-led coalition.

Dr. Manneh was reacting to a statement issued by the Coalition Mediation Committee Secretariat titled “Opposition Coalition Adopts Candidate-led Model, Signs Framework to Field Unity Candidate for December 2026 Elections.”

According to the statement, the decision was reached during the ninth strategic session of the Coalition Mediation Talks held on June 20, 2026, at the African Princess Hotel in Banjul. The meeting was hosted by the United Movement for Change, led by Talib Ahmed Bensouda.

However, Dr. Manneh maintained that the statement did not reflect the outcome of the discussions.

“The author of the statement is wrong. I do not know who wrote it, but what was written is not true. There was no consensus and not everyone agreed on the candidate-led coalition model,” he said.

Dr. Manneh, who represents the UDP in the coalition negotiations, further alleged that the statement was released without prior consultation with participating parties.

“In previous meetings, statements were only issued after participants had reviewed and agreed to them. This time, no one was consulted before the statement was published,” he added.

According to him, he left the meeting at around 3 p.m. on Saturday and was later informed that participants had conducted a vote to determine their preferred coalition model.

He claimed that seven political parties, including the UDP, Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD), People’s Alliance Party (PAP), and the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), supported the UDP’s proposal for a party-led coalition. He also indicated that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had expressed similar views.

Dr. Manneh further stated that discussions were ongoing with the Gambia For All (GFA), which he said also favours a party-led coalition arrangement. In contrast, he noted that the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), APP-Sobeya, several civil society organisations and political movements were advocating for a candidate-led coalition.

The UDP official explained that his party’s position is for the coalition to be led by the UDP while incorporating the ideas and policy priorities of all participating parties.

“I told them that UDP wants a party-led coalition where UDP will lead and work with other parties. However, that does not mean only UDP programmes will be implemented. The coalition will have a common programme that incorporates the ideas of all partners for national development,” he said.

Asked whether the UDP would withdraw from the talks should a majority of stakeholders endorse a candidate-led coalition, Dr. Manneh said the party remained committed to dialogue.

“Forming a coalition is not easy. It requires extensive consultation and discussion. We will continue engaging rather than walking away from the process,” he said.

He added that the UDP remains committed to establishing a coalition framework and signing a Memorandum of Understanding that is consistent with the Constitution and acceptable to all stakeholders.

The latest disagreement highlights the challenges facing opposition parties as they seek to build a united front ahead of the 2026 presidential election. Political observers note that coalition-building efforts in The Gambia have historically been complicated by disagreements over leadership and candidate selection.

While mediation efforts continue, it remains unclear whether opposition parties will ultimately agree on a single model capable of producing a consensus candidate to challenge the incumbent administration in the upcoming election.