What changed
2026-07-29 22:35 UTC → 2026-07-31 17:53 UTC ·
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In late Late July 2026 the United Democratic Party (UDP) warned it would quit the withdrew from opposition coalition talks if the process favoured talks, rejecting a candidate‑led model that it said would diminish the party’s influence. The UDP argued for a party‑led coalition reflecting each group’s electoral weight, and citing its 238,000‑vote showing in the 2021 presidential election. Four days later the UDP formally withdrew from the negotiations, stating that the coalition’s direction conflicted with its position. On 25 July the party’s representatives left a meeting, confirming the withdrawal, while coalition spokesman Assan Martin said the emerging alliance would adopt stronger accountability measures and clearer policy frameworks than the 2016 coalition that toppled former President Yahya Jammeh. Two days after, the vote share. The Coalition Mediation Committee reported it had not received an official withdrawal letter and continued to list the UDP as a participant. UDP leader Ousainu Darboe countered that the party had never been properly invited and rejected the candidate‑led model as undermining constitutional order. On 27 July the UDP reiterated its stance, accusing the candidate‑led approach of breaching democratic legitimacy and noting that noted the committee’s lack of a formal letter did not change its exit. The Coalition Mediation Committee maintained that, without a written notice, it could not confirm withdrawal letter, keeping the party’s departure. Two days later, UDP on its participant list. On 29 July President Adama Barrow signed a memorandum of understanding with welcomed Gambia Democratic Congress leader Mama Kandeh, bringing Kandeh to the State House and announced a memorandum of understanding that brings the GDC into the ruling National People’s Party coalition ahead of coalition. Both leaders said the 5 December election. This move shifted partnership serves the balance of opposition forces national interest, peace, stability and highlighted development, further shifting the fragmentation balance of anti‑incumbent talks. At the forces. The same time, day the Gambia Bar Association filed a Supreme Court challenge to the appointment of Edi M. O. Faal as Chief Justice, arguing the nominee does not meet the constitutional qualifications in section 139 of the 1997 Constitution. Alliance for Democracy & and Development secretary‑general Malick Camara announced reiterated his party would back party’s backing of a UDP‑led coalition, underscoring divergent strategies among opposition groups emphasizing the party’s country‑wide organisational network as essential to unseating Barrow. Commentary marked ten years since the election approaches. 2016 defeat of former President Yahya Jammeh, noting that while the transition ended authoritarian rule, The Gambia now faces the task of consolidating democratic institutions and ensuring political stability beyond individual leaders.