Bensouda Accuses Government, Opposition of Targeting Coalition 2026

Talib Ahmed Bensouda, Mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council has accused both the government and opposition parties of targeting his coalition because they consider it a serious contender in The Gambia’s December 5, 2026, presidential election.

Bensouda, who is also the presidential candidate of Coalition 2026 made the accusations while addressing a coalition rally held recently in North Bank Region.

Speaking at the rally, Bensouda urged supporters to remain united and focused on their campaign despite what he described as persistent attacks from political rivals.

“Everybody is fighting us, be it the government or the opposition, because they all know that this coalition is going to be the one to lead the country,” he said.

He also criticised President Adama Barrow’s bid for a third term, comparing him to “a vehicle without a brake” and arguing that another term could encourage further attempts to extend his stay in office.

Bensouda called on Barrow to step aside, expressing hope that he would become The Gambia’s fourth president. He further accused the governing National People’s Party (NPP) and government ministers of spreading propaganda and political misinformation.

The Coalition 2026 candidate also addressed controversy surrounding his earlier remarks on family planning, saying they had been misinterpreted, although he did not elaborate.

Calls for action against tribal rhetoric

At a rally in Medina Sering Mass, Bensouda called on President Barrow to take action against government ministers whose statements, he alleged, could deepen ethnic divisions.

He said the president had a responsibility to ensure that members of his administration promoted national unity rather than tribalism.

“President Adama Barrow, you are our president. If your ministers stand on platforms, speaking in tribal lines to divide the people, you as the president should cut their speeches and ask them to leave the meeting ground because they want to divide the country,” he remarked.

Bensouda described tribalism as an obstacle to national development and urged political leaders to promote national cohesion.

He also questioned the reported cost of Barrow’s ongoing Meet-the-People Tour, claiming that D70 million had been allocated to the 19-day exercise, or approximately D3 million a day.

He argued that the funds could instead support development projects in underserved communities. He further accused the government of using the tour to criticise political opponents rather than focusing on the concerns of farmers and rural residents.

Bensouda also rejected claims about his ancestry, insisting that both his parents were born in The Gambia.

Development pledges for Central River Region

During a rally in Bati Ndarr, Upper Saloum Constituency, Bensouda pledged to construct a regional hospital, a mosque and an international-standard mini-stadium in the northern part of the Central River Region (CRR) if elected president.

He said the proposed hospital would have its own ambulances to reduce the difficulties residents face travelling to Farafenni and Bansang for medical treatment.

“I am a child of CRR North. If I become president, CRR North will not be left behind,” he said.

He also promised to build a larger mosque in Bati Ndarr and improve access to clean drinking water, arguing that residents should not have to depend on traditional wells for their daily needs.

On agriculture, Bensouda pledged to revitalise rice production and transform the region into a major agricultural hub through increased investment, improved access to farming equipment and the establishment of an agricultural bank.

“We will make this place the agricultural capital, with an agricultural bank to provide farmers with loans to buy tractors and other equipment,” he remarked.

He said the proposed bank would help farmers finance modern equipment, improve productivity and strengthen the regional economy.

The pledges form part of Coalition 2026’s campaign proposals on infrastructure, agriculture and essential public services. The spending figure and allegations made by Bensouda were not independently verified.