Talib officially leads UMC, rallies thousands of supporters at Buffer Zone
The Lord Mayor Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), Talib Ahmed Bensouda, was elected as the movement’s Leader, Ebrima Dibba, was elected as the National President of the Movement, Kemo Bojang, was elected Deputy Leader of Political Affairs and Media Relations, Yahya Menteng Sanyang, was elected Deputy Leader for Finance and Administration, Karafa Sonko, who was United Democratic Party (UDP’s) Campaign Manager, was elected as Deputy Leader for Campaign and Mobilisation, Neneh Freda Gomez, who was Spokesperson for Citizens Alliance (CA) was elected as Deputy Leader for Governance and Public Policy, MC Cham junior, former National Youth President of Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), was elected National Campaign Manager. These among other people were elected by the Movement’s delegates on Saturday. The congress was also graced by various opposition leaders from different parties in the country. The Movement’s Leader Talib Ahmed Bensouda described the congress as the country’s best ever congress. He said the congress was not just an ordinary political gathering but a declaration that the Gambian People are ready to move forward. “A declaration that our country deserves leadership that is competent. Leadership that is disciplined. Leadership that is prepared to govern. A declaration that politics must once again become a tool of national service not personal or political survival,” Bensouda told hundreds of delegates while delivering his acceptance speech. Bensouda also stated that UMC is a national political movement that is not built around one man but built around one mission to unite the Gambian people, restore confidence in public leadership, and transform the future of the country. Bensouda said the Movement belongs to everyone, every village, every region, and every Gambian who believes this country deserves more. “This movement is not built to destroy. It is built to rebuild. To those who criticise us from various parties, this Movement will never take disagreement as hatred. We will treat it as fuel to prosper. Leadership is not only about governing, but it is also about ideas and innovation,” Bensouda further said that for far too long, Gambian people have carried their frustration in silence. He said young people graduate without certainty, and families face rising costs of living. Bensouda said farmers in the country are working hard but still remain vulnerable while communities are still waiting for roads, electricity, water and accessible healthcare service. Bensouda also talked about what he described as selective Justice in the country and the lack of trust towards public institutions. “There is a growing concern about the direction of our institutions. The use of state power and the growing mistrust between citizens and leadership. Let me state this clearly, I respect the law, I respect accountability, and no one should ever be above the law. But justice must never be selective. Institutions must never become political weapons and a state power must never be used to silence citizens who choose to participate in national life,” he said. Bensouda stressed that democracy cannot thrive when fear replaces fairness. He echoed that he does not fear anyone who stands up against him or anyone who criticises him. . Bensouda said he does not fear political competition and dares his opponent to bring it on and that he will compete all the way to number one Marina Parade (State House). “Let me tell you what I fear, I fear when two million people become afraid to speak, afraid to participate, afraid to challenge power. This is not the democracy the Gambian people fought for in 2016. This movement stands clear on national priorities,” he stated. After the congress, the movement rallied thousands of supporters at the Buffer Zone. While speaking there, Bensouda said UMC is established to wipe the tears of the country’s women, children and young people. Bensouda called on his supporters to avoid the politics of insult and segregation and urged them to focus on uniting the Gambian people. He believes that is the only way that can bring change to the country. “It was on this basis that the Unite Movement for Change (UMC) was formed. This is why we are the fastest-growing political platform in the country,” he said.
Black News 
The Lord Mayor Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), Talib Ahmed Bensouda, was elected as the movement’s Leader, Ebrima Dibba, was elected as the National President of the Movement, Kemo Bojang, was elected Deputy Leader of Political Affairs and Media Relations, Yahya Menteng Sanyang, was elected Deputy Leader for Finance and Administration, Karafa Sonko, who was United Democratic Party (UDP’s) Campaign Manager, was elected as Deputy Leader for Campaign and Mobilisation, Neneh Freda Gomez, who was Spokesperson for Citizens Alliance (CA) was elected as Deputy Leader for Governance and Public Policy, MC Cham junior, former National Youth President of Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), was elected National Campaign Manager.
These among other people were elected by the Movement’s delegates on Saturday. The congress was also graced by various opposition leaders from different parties in the country.
The Movement’s Leader Talib Ahmed Bensouda described the congress as the country’s best ever congress. He said the congress was not just an ordinary political gathering but a declaration that the Gambian People are ready to move forward.
“A declaration that our country deserves leadership that is competent. Leadership that is disciplined. Leadership that is prepared to govern. A declaration that politics must once again become a tool of national service not personal or political survival,” Bensouda told hundreds of delegates while delivering his acceptance speech.
Bensouda also stated that UMC is a national political movement that is not built around one man but built around one mission to unite the Gambian people, restore confidence in public leadership, and transform the future of the country.
Bensouda said the Movement belongs to everyone, every village, every region, and every Gambian who believes this country deserves more.
“This movement is not built to destroy. It is built to rebuild. To those who criticise us from various parties, this Movement will never take disagreement as hatred. We will treat it as fuel to prosper. Leadership is not only about governing, but it is also about ideas and innovation,”
Bensouda further said that for far too long, Gambian people have carried their frustration in silence. He said young people graduate without certainty, and families face rising costs of living.
Bensouda said farmers in the country are working hard but still remain vulnerable while communities are still waiting for roads, electricity, water and accessible healthcare service.
Bensouda also talked about what he described as selective Justice in the country and the lack of trust towards public institutions.
“There is a growing concern about the direction of our institutions. The use of state power and the growing mistrust between citizens and leadership. Let me state this clearly, I respect the law, I respect accountability, and no one should ever be above the law. But justice must never be selective. Institutions must never become political weapons and a state power must never be used to silence citizens who choose to participate in national life,” he said.
Bensouda stressed that democracy cannot thrive when fear replaces fairness. He echoed that he does not fear anyone who stands up against him or anyone who criticises him. .
Bensouda said he does not fear political competition and dares his opponent to bring it on and that he will compete all the way to number one Marina Parade (State House).
“Let me tell you what I fear, I fear when two million people become afraid to speak, afraid to participate, afraid to challenge power. This is not the democracy the Gambian people fought for in 2016. This movement stands clear on national priorities,” he stated.
After the congress, the movement rallied thousands of supporters at the Buffer Zone. While speaking there, Bensouda said UMC is established to wipe the tears of the country’s women, children and young people.
Bensouda called on his supporters to avoid the politics of insult and segregation and urged them to focus on uniting the Gambian people. He believes that is the only way that can bring change to the country.
“It was on this basis that the Unite Movement for Change (UMC) was formed. This is why we are the fastest-growing political platform in the country,” he said.
