The Mayor of the Kanifing Municipality, Talib Ahmed Bensouda, has laid to rest wild speculations about him breaking ranks with the United Democratic Party (UDP) as the young mayor did exactly that on Thursday, announcing the birth of a new political movement which, he said, is here to improve the socio-economic and political wellbeing of Gambians.
Bensouda’s announcement of his resignation from the UDP followed the recent wave of resignations from the Gambia’s largest opposition party of key party members and his own resignation as the party’s organising secretary.
In an announcement on Thursday, which did not come as a surprise to many, Bensouda said he and “like-minded Gambians formed “the United for Change movement” with the desire and the ambition to transform into a political platform/political party that is highly-representative and solves the needs of Gambians in every village, in every community, in every association, in every corner of the world.”
Mr. Bensouda explained that United for Change is a youth-centred movement as he enumerated the myriad of challenges that Gambians are faced with, touting the new movement as the panacea.
Mayor Bensouda highlighted the nation’s status as “one of the poorest countries in the world,” with her citizens yet to realise their aspirations of improved quality of life.
He further highlighted the burning desire in Gambians for enhanced access to quality education, healthcare, water, and electricity.
“More than ever, we hear the cries and frustration of the majority of the Gambians who are the youths,” the KM mayor stated, pointing out that youth comprises 70 per cent of the population but are increasingly losing their ability to live a good life in the country of their birth and education.
The Youth Crisis & The ‘Backway’
Bensouda in his statement laid special emphasis on the seeming intractable issue of youth migration to the EU irregularly. The mayor said the hardship in the country has remained the main push factor for irregular migration locally known as the “Back-way”.
He cited grim statistics, stating that “12,000 youths journeyed to Europe in very dangerous environments,” and that last year’s figures indicated “1,200 lost their lives on their way to Europe”.
He detailed the trauma faced by migrants, saying: “Many are captured, detained and tortured in North African countries while those who reach Europe are often held in detention camps for years, with even successful workers eventually deported.”
Mayor Bensouda asserted that this suffering is not totally unavoidable.
“I have travelled all over the world and I have seen that this trauma can be avoided,” he asserted, arguing that for a country as small as The Gambia, “there is no excuse why we can’t be further ahead.”
The Mayor issued a “call for action for all Gambians; young and old, male and female, both at home and abroad, to join the Movement for Change”.
The young mayor sent a message of hope to compatriots.
“I have no doubt if we put our hearts together, our resources together, we can change this country to be one of the best places the world has to offer,” he underlined.
Meanwhile in a significant political announcement, Mayor Bensouda confirmed his split from the United Democratic Party (UDP) led by Lawyer Ousainou Darboe.
He described the decision as “one of the most hard decisions I had ever made in my life,” acknowledging the “profound support” he received from the party.
“I would be insincere if I do not come here and thank them and assure his excellency Ousainou Darboe and all members of the United Democratic Party, who have become my close friends, my family, my sisters and brothers, that I will ensure everybody associated or affiliation to this movement that I will lead, will forever respect them and forever remember their sacrifices,” he said.
He concluded his address with a passionate plea for national unity.
“The difficulties we are facing are not normal, the tragedies our youth are facing are unacceptable. We have to forget about the tribes we belong to, we have to forget the communities we are from, we have to remember that we have to succeed as one nation or fail as individuals. So, I want us to unite with one voice, unite with one mind, with one body to change this country forever,” he underscored.
