[REVISION HISTORY]

Gambia 2026 election: Shifting alliances and rising tensions

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2026-10-28 21:53 UTC → 2026-10-29 20:22 UTC · added ~~removed~~

As the December 5, 2026, presidential election approaches, political realignments and heightened rhetoric are shaping the Gambian landscape. President Adama Barrow’s ruling National People’s Party (NPP) has expanded its Grand Alliance, incorporating Essa Mbye Faal of APP-Sobeyaa and the Gambia Movement for Progress (GMP). ~~The Citizens Alliance (CA), led by Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, has also reaffirmed support for~~ Barrow, seeking a third term, leads a broad alliance including the ~~NPP-led coalition, citing achievements in infrastructure~~ APRC and ~~healthcare.~~ the Gambia Democratic Congress. He has pledged to deliver a new constitution if his party secures an absolute majority in the National Assembly, noting that previous reform attempts failed due to opposition resistance. The opposition remains fragmented but ~~active. Talib Ahmed Bensouda, the~~ is attempting to consolidate. The Team Gambia Grand Coalition ~~2026 candidate,~~ has ~~proposed student tuition financing~~ introduced a nine-point agenda focused on constitutional reform, economic development, and ~~the withdrawal of ECOMIG to ensure national security is managed by Gambian forces.~~ women’s representation. Meanwhile, ~~Almameh Gibba~~ Ousainou Darboe of ~~the No To Alliance Movement—a group associated with former President Yahya Jammeh—has~~ The Gambia First Coalition has pledged to ~~facilitate Jammeh’s return from exile if elected. Gibba’s platform emphasizes agricultural self-sufficiency~~ serve only one term and ~~the removal of foreign security forces. Internal criticism of the administration is mounting. National Democratic Party (NDP) leader Kebba Madi Bojang has attacked~~ focus on rebuilding the ~~National Assembly as ineffective~~ civil service. Current polling suggests Barrow holds a 32 percent lead, followed by Darboe at 25 percent and accused government land policies of threatening ancestral farmlands. Additionally, calls for electoral reform have emerged, with analysts noting that current laws prevent parties from directly challenging voter eligibility in court. Talib Ahmed Bensouda at 19 percent. Tensions ~~remain high~~ have escalated following mutual accusations of ~~ethnic rhetoric during the ‘Meet~~ plotting violence. Minister Ebrima Sillah accused the ~~People Tour’. While Barrow has pledged a “competition~~ United Democratic Party (UDP) of ~~ideas”~~ attempting to ~~ensure stability,~~ provoke unrest, while Darboe alleged the government might stage false disturbances using individuals disguised as UDP supporters to justify a state of emergency. These frictions occur against a backdrop of recent power outages and protests. Other opposition ~~continues~~ figures, such as Almameh Gibba, continue to ~~mobilize, including Ousainou Darboe’s diaspora campaigns for~~ emphasize agricultural self-sufficiency and the ~~UDP.~~ removal of foreign security forces.

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