National People’s Party (NPP) Youth President Momodou Sabally has launched a scathing attack on Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda, accusing him of mismanagement, poor leadership and neglect of basic services in Latrikunda and other parts of the municipality.
Sabally made the allegations during a town hall meeting in Faji Kunda attended by community elders, residents and NPP supporters, where he criticised the mayor’s record on sanitation, infrastructure and community development.
He singled out the Latrikunda Market as an example of what he described as the mayor’s failure to address pressing needs in the municipality.
“There is no market that has a poorer reputation than your Latrikunda market, which is under Talib Ahmed Bensouda,” Sabally said.
He further claimed that Bensouda had done little to support community development, alleging that the mayor had “never brought a single trip of sand” to the community or planted a neem tree at a local school.
Sabally also drew comparisons between Mayor Bensouda and former President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, whom Bensouda has publicly referred to as his grandfather.
He cited Jawara-era community initiatives, including environmental programmes in schools, as an example of what he said was a stronger commitment to community development.
“Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara was planting fruit trees in schools through an initiative called Tesito to clean the environment. But for Talib, he couldn’t clean your streets,” Sabally said.
The NPP youth leader went on to accuse the KMC administration of using council resources for political purposes. He alleged, without providing evidence, that public funds had been used to purchase motorbikes and vehicles to support political campaigning.
“Instead, he used your money to buy motorbikes and vehicles for his political campaign,” Sabally alleged.
Sabally also criticised Bensouda over his frequent international travels, arguing that the mayor should prioritise addressing problems within the municipality.
“Talib is no longer sitting in his office; he is traveling across most parts of the world,” he said.
According to Sabally, the municipality continues to face sanitation challenges while even the council’s own premises have not been adequately maintained.
“He couldn’t clean your Kanifing; he couldn’t even clean the premises of his own office. But now he is asking for the seat of power,” Sabally said, urging residents of Faji Kunda to reject Bensouda politically.
The NPP Youth President further questioned the mayor’s approach to media and international engagements. He alleged that Bensouda had engaged Senegalese TikTok content creators, including personalities associated with supporters of Senegalese opposition figure Ousmane Sonko, to promote his public image.
Sabally also criticised Bensouda’s conduct during international engagements, claiming that the mayor appeared overly deferential to a Senegalese mayor.
“There was one Mayor from Senegal whom Talib was running after as if he himself was not a mayor,” Sabally said.
He concluded by questioning Bensouda’s suitability for higher political office and urged voters to assess his record in local government before supporting his political ambitions.
