Gambia President Barrow vows peaceful 2026 election as opposition doubts commission and Senegal talks border incident

President Adama Barrow told the Gambian community in Sierra Leone that the Dec. 5, 2026 presidential election will be conducted peacefully and pledged to raise their concerns with Sierra Leonean authorities, urging citizens to vote responsibly and promising reciprocal treatment for Gambians abroad.

Opposition figure Ebrima Nyang of the Gambia Democratic Congress warned that the Independent Electoral Commission’s handling of the voter register could jeopardise the election’s credibility, saying the vote would not be fair if Barrow wins.

Separately, Gambian foreign minister Serign Modou Njie met Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Dakar to discuss a recent border incident at the Bullock military camp, where Senegalese forces damaged a fence. Both sides emphasized dialogue and cooperation to avoid escalation and maintain regional stability.