# Gambia opposition realignment: UNITE-NUP alliance expands > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/gambia-opposition-coalition-negotiations > Updated: 2026-09-03T20:13:12.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 10. The opposition coalition landscape in The Gambia continues to evolve. In late July, the United Democratic Party (UDP) announced its withdrawal from the opposition coalition initiative led by the Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD). UDP leader Ousainu Darboe criticized the proposed candidate-led model, arguing it undermines political accountability. While the Coalition Mediation Committee (CMC) initially maintained the UDP was still a participant, the ADD later announced it would back a coalition led by the UDP instead. Simultaneously, President Adama Barrow’s ruling National People’s Party (NPP) strengthened its position by forming a formal alliance with the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC). GDC leader Mama Kandeh announced he would not run in the 2026 presidential race, opting to support Barrow to prioritize national stability. In response to these shifts, the National Unity Party (NUP) and the UNITE Party formalized a Memorandum of Understanding on 4 August 2026. This pact proposes a joint ticket featuring UNITE leader Talib Ahmed Bensouda and NUP leader Dr. Lamin J. Darboe, focusing on the “Three Cs”: cost of living, crime, and corruption. On 19 August 2026, the alliance expanded when the Patriotic Progressive Alliance (PPA), led by Dr. Ousman Gajigo, joined the UNITE-NUP bloc. On 24 August 2026, a pre-election poll by Gambia Participates indicated President Barrow would lead with 32% support, followed by UDP leader Ousainou Darboe at 25% and UNITE leader Talib Ahmed Bensouda at 19%. The UDP dismissed the poll’s credibility, while UNITE claimed the results show “growing momentum for new leadership.” President Barrow dismissed emerging opposition alliances as “insignificant.” By 31 August 2026, the UDP challenged the credibility of the voter register, with official Yakumba Jaiteh citing a discrepancy involving approximately 14,000 voters that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has yet to resolve. ## Claims - The United Democratic Party announced its withdrawal from the opposition coalition talks. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Coalition Mediation Committee has not received an official withdrawal letter from UDP. (single source) - The coalition’s proposed model is candidate‑led, requiring candidates to resign from parties and run as independents. (single source) - UDP rejects the candidate‑led model and supports a party‑led coalition. (single source) - The coalition was initiated by the Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) and includes eight political parties and 14 civil society organisations. (single source) - Coalition spokesperson Martin said parties that do not accept the model should go away. (single source) - President Adama Barrow and GDC leader Mama Kandeh formed a political alliance ahead of the December 2026 election. (single source) - The alliance was presented as prioritising national interest over partisan differences. (single source) - The Gambia Bar Association challenged the constitutional validity of the appointment of Edi M. O. Faal as Chief Justice, claiming he does not meet the qualifications under section 139 of the 1997 Con​ (single source) - Edi M. O. Faal was sworn in as Chief Justice on 31 July 2026, with effect from 1 August 2026. (single source) - Malick Camara, leader of the Alliance for Democracy and Development, announced his party will back a UDP‑led coalition to challenge President Barrow in the December election. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-03: The Gambia prepares for 2026 presidential election The Gambia's 2026 presidential race is shaping up as President Adama Barrow forms a coalition with Mamma Kandeh's GDC, amid rising public demand for economic reform and improved governance. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/the-gambia-prepares-for-2026-presidential-election ### 2026-08-31: United Democratic Party challenges Gambia voter register and election process The Gambia's United Democratic Party is challenging voter register discrepancies and announcing plans to publish its own independent election tally to ensure transparency for the 2026 presidential election. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-democratic-party-challenges-gambia-voter-register-and-election-process ### 2026-08-24: Adama Barrow leads pre-election poll in The Gambia A new poll shows President Adama Barrow leading The Gambia's 2026 presidential race with 32% support, sparking intense debate and criticism from opposition parties UDP and UNITE. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/adama-barrow-leads-pre-election-poll-in-the-gambia ### 2026-08-19: Patriotic Progressive Alliance joins UNITE-NUP alliance The Patriotic Progressive Alliance, led by Dr. Ousman Gajigo, has joined the UNITE-NUP alliance, ending its merger talks with Gambia For All ahead of The Gambia’s 2026 presidential election. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/patriotic-progressive-alliance-joins-unite-nup-alliance ### 2026-08-04: Gambia Opposition UNITE and NUP Ally to Unseat President Barrow in 2026 Election UNITE and NUP in Gambia sign an alliance to contest the 2026 presidential election, pledging to unseat President Barrow and address cost, crime and corruption. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gambia-opposition-unite-and-nup-ally-to-unseat-president-barrow-in-2026-election ### 2026-08-01: President Adama Barrow Gains GDC Support as Gambian Parties Reconfigure Alliances for 2026 Election Gambia’s GDC backs President Barrow and signs an NPP alliance, while the Coalition 2026 leadership race proceeds and NUP explores a Unite partnership ahead of the 2026 election. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gambia-opposition-parties-form-new-alliances-ahead-of-2026-presidential-vote ### 2026-07-29: Gambia President Barrow Forms Alliance with Opposition Leader Kandeh Ahead of Dec 2026 Election President Barrow and opposition leader Kandeh form an alliance for the Dec 2026 election; the Bar Association challenges Chief Justice Faal’s appointment; ADD backs a UDP‑led coalition; ten years after Jammeh’s 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gambia-president-barrow-gains-opposition-ally-mama-kandeh-as-coalition-talks-falter ### 2026-07-27: Gambia's United Democratic Party pulls out of opposition coalition talks Gambia's UDP says it has left the opposition coalition over a candidate‑led model, while the coalition committee claims no formal withdrawal was received. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gambias-united-democratic-party-pulls-out-of-opposition-coalition-talks ### 2026-07-25: Gambia's United Democratic Party pulls out of 2026 coalition talks The United Democratic Party (Gambia) withdrew from the 2026 coalition talks, while coalition spokesman Assan Martin said the alliance will feature stronger safeguards than the 2016 coalition that helped defeat 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gambias-united-democratic-party-pulls-out-of-2026-coalition-talks ### 2026-07-21: Gambia's UDP Threatens to Leave Opposition Coalition Talks The UDP threatens to quit opposition coalition talks unless parties adopt a party‑led model, citing its larger vote share and criticizing a candidate‑led approach. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gambias-udp-threatens-to-leave-opposition-coalition-talks --- Cite as: Gambia opposition realignment: UNITE-NUP alliance expands. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/gambia-opposition-coalition-negotiations