United Democratic Party (UDP) flagbearer for the 2026 presidential election, ANM Ousainu Darboe, has called on opposition parties in The Gambia to put aside their differences and work together to secure a new government in December 2026.
Darboe made the call while delivering a statement at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing the Gambia First Alliance, describing the occasion as a historic moment and the beginning of a partnership built on trust, confidence and shared values.
The UDP leader expressed gratitude to the alliance partners, saying their presence marked the culmination of what he described as an “honorable and sincere engagement process” between senior members of the participating political parties.
“Our purpose and task as a collective of committed allies is to offer the Gambian people an opportunity and believable reasons to serve them,” Darboe said.
He stressed that the agreement goes beyond the formal signing of an MOU, arguing that it demonstrates how political diversity can be transformed into unity around common national objectives.
According to Darboe, although the political parties within the alliance differ in several respects, they share a common objective of building a government focused on the priorities of Gambians.
He said the UDP respects the ideas and contributions of its alliance partners and pledged that the coalition would collectively work in the interest of the country and its diverse population.
Darboe also addressed scepticism surrounding opposition unity, acknowledging that some Gambians have questioned whether opposition parties can overcome their differences and establish an effective alliance.
“To them I say coalitions and alliances that are pursued with sincerity, honesty and transparency like we have done is the right way to do it,” he said.
He maintained that with clarity, good faith and the participation of people committed to the national interest, political cooperation could endure and achieve its objectives.
While formally welcoming the alliance partners, Darboe emphasised that the campaign ahead of the 2026 presidential election would not be presented as the campaign of the UDP alone.
“We are one team and you are the team,” he declared, stressing that although his name would appear on the ballot, every alliance partner should regard themselves as an integral part of the campaign.
“The campaign should be and will be collective,” Darboe said. “This is the campaign of each of our alliance partners in every aspect.”
The UDP flagbearer further extended an invitation to opposition parties that were not represented at the MOU signing, urging them to join efforts aimed at changing the government in December 2026.
“To other opposition parties not present here today, we extend our hand to each and every one of you. Let us work together to save our country,” he said.
Darboe argued that the differences separating opposition parties were not insurmountable and called for the development of a mutually agreed five-year reform agenda that could provide a foundation for the country’s future development.
He said a new government in December 2026 is what Gambians deserve and urged opposition parties to collectively persuade voters to support their efforts.
“Our doors are open and I am confident together we can succeed,” he said.
Turning to the alliance partners, Darboe urged them to take the campaign directly to voters across the country, including communities, markets, farms and traditional meeting places.
He also called on UDP supporters to embrace the alliance partners and treat them as members of one political family.
“To our UDP family, let us rededicate ourselves to our true and tried tradition of extending a warm and affectionate embrace to our alliance partners. They are us and we are them,” he said.
Darboe urged supporters to maintain team spirit and show their alliance partners maximum respect as preparations intensify for the 2026 presidential contest.
He also appealed to Gambians in the diaspora to continue supporting the alliance’s efforts in what he described as a campaign to “rescue our country.”
Darboe concluded by thanking the alliance partners and supporters while invoking God’s blessing on their efforts and on The Gambia.
The signing of the Gambia First Alliance MOU marks another development in the ongoing efforts by opposition parties to forge political cooperation ahead of the December 2026 presidential election.
