Kanifing Municipal Council Mayor, Talib Ahmed Bensouda, has announced his withdrawal from the United Democratic Party’s (UDP) flagbearer race for the 2026 presidential election and his resignation as the party’s National Organising Secretary.
In a video message released Saturday, Bensouda said the decision followed a meeting with UDP leader, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, who reaffirmed his intention to contest the party’s nomination. Bensouda described his move as one made “in good faith and principle,” noting that Darboe “deserves an organising secretary he can fully trust” as the party prepares for a crucial election cycle.
Bensouda, who won re-election as mayor in 2023 with 56,094 votes, has been widely seen as one of the UDP’s rising stars and a potential successor to Darboe. His sudden exit from the party’s leadership structure and withdrawal from the flagbearer contest have triggered intense debate and speculation about the future direction of the UDP, which has been in existence for 28 years.
The development has also fueled growing rumors that Bensouda may mount an independent presidential campaign in 2026 a move that could reshape the country’s political landscape and challenge the UDP’s traditional voter base.
In his address, the mayor called for a shift in political culture, urging Gambians to embrace “decent politics” grounded in respect and national development. “Politics should not be a game of insults, division, or personal attacks,” he said. “It must be about community unity and building the nation.”
Bensouda’s resignation marks one of the most significant rifts within the UDP in recent years. The party now faces the dual challenge of consolidating support behind Darboe while managing the fallout from the departure of one of its most influential young leaders.
