Gambian Mayor Talib Bensouda Champions UNITE Party Ahead of 2026 Election

Talib Ahmed Bensouda, mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council and leader of the newly formed UNITE Party, addressed Gambian supporters in Seattle, outlining the party’s four guiding principles – patriotism, integrity, transformation and equality – and pledging to restore public trust and spur economic development in The Gambia. He said the party aims to make migration a choice rather than a necessity and predicted UNITE will become the country’s largest political force and win the December presidential election.

In a separate interview, Bensouda said his relationship with United Democratic Party leader Ousainu Darboe remains "distant but respectful" and stressed that their split is purely political, not personal, adding, "We do not share the same political vision; we have gone our separate ways." The remarks underscore the reshaping of opposition politics as new parties emerge ahead of the 2026 vote.