The All People’s Party (APP-Sobeyaa) has withdrawn from ongoing talks to form the CMC coalition ahead of Gambia’s 2026 presidential election, citing concerns over the fairness, transparency and credibility of the coalition’s flagbearer selection process.
The decision followed an extensive meeting of the party’s executive, according to a statement issued by APP-Sobeyaa.
The party said it had participated in the discussions in good faith and remained committed to the formation of a united coalition capable of offering Gambians, particularly young people, a credible and transformative third-force alternative.
However, APP-Sobeyaa said it had concluded that the current process for selecting the coalition’s flagbearer could no longer provide the level of fairness, transparency and credibility required for such an important political undertaking.
The party said a leadership contest must be genuine and should not be conducted in a manner where one outcome is effectively considered the only acceptable result.
APP-Sobeyaa also raised concerns over the position it said had been communicated from the UNITE camp that, after investing heavily in the campaign of Mayor Talib Bensouda over the past three years, supporters may not be prepared to accept any outcome other than his leadership.
The party said it respected the right of UNITE members to support their preferred candidate but argued that a coalition could not be built on the assumption that one candidate must emerge victorious.
According to APP-Sobeyaa, such an approach would undermine the principles of shared governance and collective political participation that should form the foundation of any credible coalition.
The party also expressed concerns about the integrity of the process, referring to allegations and suggestions of improper conduct and inducements. It did not provide details or evidence concerning the allegations but said such concerns could not be ignored in a process that should command the highest level of public confidence.
APP-Sobeyaa said its concerns also extended to the proposed governance framework, where it said fundamental differences remained unresolved. The party further cited the failure to formally agree on a proposal for the introduction of a running mate.
It also expressed concern over difficulties reportedly faced by participants seeking to rejoin the process after temporarily stepping away to address internal party matters.
The party said it could not, “in good conscience,” lend its legitimacy to a process it considers fundamentally compromised.
APP-Sobeyaa stressed that it was not interested in simply replacing one political leader with another, arguing that Gambians, particularly young people demanding change, deserve a coalition capable of offering a genuine programme of transformation and reform.
The party said the growing demand for a third political force should not become a reason to lower political standards.
“If we are serious about building a different Gambia, then the coalition seeking to lead that change must itself demonstrate the values of fairness, mutual respect, integrity and accountability,” APP-Sobeyaa said.
It also called on opposition actors to maintain political competition without resorting to inflammatory rhetoric, personal attacks or the denigration of fellow opposition figures and parties.
Despite its withdrawal from the current talks, APP-Sobeyaa said it remained open to working with UNITE, other political parties and political movements genuinely committed to building a credible national coalition.
The party said any future cooperation must be founded on mutual respect, trust, fairness and a shared commitment to putting The Gambia’s interests ahead of individual political ambitions.
APP-Sobeyaa said it entered the coalition talks believing that the participating parties could build something bigger than any individual or political party.
However, it said it had decided to step away from the present process because it no longer believed the talks could deliver that outcome.
“The Gambia deserves a coalition built around the country, not around an individual,” the party said.
