United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ousainou Darboe has described Gambia’s upcoming presidential election as one of the most consequential moments in the country’s modern political history, warning that a victory for President Adama Barrow would have far-reaching consequences for the country.
Darboe made the remarks on Tuesday at the UDP bureau in Manjai during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalising an alliance between the UDP-led coalition and the Gambia For All (GFA) party.
Addressing party supporters, alliance partners and journalists at the ceremony, the veteran opposition leader said the outcome of the 2026 election would depend on the collective efforts of opposition parties and Gambian voters.
“We cannot blame anyone if we fail in 2026; we will blame ourselves,” Darboe said.
He added: “I am not the one who is going to win these elections myself. It is you, our alliance partners, and you, the Gambian people, who are genuinely committed to the rescuing of this country that will make us win this election.”
Darboe characterised the forthcoming election as a defining choice for the country and issued a stark warning about the prospect of President Barrow securing another term.
“It is the defining election. It is the most consequential election for The Gambia,” he said. “If Adama Barrow wins this election, Gambia is gone, and Gambia is gone forever.”
The UDP leader also warned against any attempt to change the government through unconstitutional means, saying political change must be achieved through the ballot box and within the country’s constitutional framework.
Darboe said failure to achieve political change through lawful means could create circumstances in which the country faces instability.
“And the only way that it can be rescued will be by means other than lawful ones,” he said. “And God forbid for Gambia to find itself in a situation where its government has to be changed by any means other than a constitutional one.”
“We pray to God that does not happen in this country for the rest of this world’s life,” he added.
The signing of the MOU between the UDP-led coalition and GFA comes as opposition parties continue efforts to consolidate their political alliances ahead of the December 2026 presidential election.
The agreement signals an effort by the opposition grouping to coordinate its political activities and broaden its support base as parties prepare to challenge the ruling National People’s Party (NPP).
With the election approaching, negotiations and alliances among opposition parties are expected to remain a major feature of The Gambia’s political landscape.
