Is Talib Bensouda About to Go Solo Ahead of Gambia’s 2026 Presidential Race?

As Gambia’s opposition landscape shifts under growing factional tensions, speculation is mounting that Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda could be preparing to launch a presidential bid outside the United Democratic Party (UDP) platform.

Fallout in the UDP

The UDP, Gambia’s largest opposition party, has been rocked in recent months by internal rifts. At the centre of the storm is the issue of succession: should party leader Ousainou Darboe, now in his seventies, remain the party’s presidential candidate, or is it time to pass the mantle to a younger generation?

Bensouda, widely seen as a rising star within the party, initially entered the race to become the UDP flagbearer for 2026. But shortly after submitting is flagbearer application, Bensouda abruptly withdrew his candidacy and resigned as the party’s National Organising Secretary. His move was framed as deference to Darboe, whom he said still had the right to lead the party if he chose.

That explanation, however, has not silenced speculation. The resignations of several high-profile UDP figures seen as Bensouda loyalists have only deepened the sense that all is not well inside the party.

A Banner Raises Questions

Fueling rumours of a solo run outside of the UDP platform, an online banner began circulating recently featuring a portrait of Bensouda alongside the words:

“Your Voice, The Future, Your Choice.”

Beneath that, a campaign-style pledge: “Leadership with integrity, Trusted, Tested, Ready, A Vision for Progress, 2026.”

The messaging is unmistakably presidential. While there has been no official confirmation from Bensouda himself, the optics have left many wondering if this is the opening salvo in a new campaign that might bypass the UDP altogether.

Risks of Going Solo

Should Bensouda launch an independent bid or forms a new party, the move would not be without risks.

• Losing the UDP machine: The UDP remains the country’s largest opposition force, with established grassroots structures, funding channels, and brand recognition. Running outside of it would be a logistical uphill battle.

• Splitting the opposition vote: A fractured opposition could hand an easy victory to the incumbent, a scenario some within the UDP warn against.

• Image concerns: Leaving the UDP could be portrayed as opportunistic or divisive, potentially alienating older voters who remain loyal to Darboe.

The Case for Independence

On the other hand, Bensouda brings certain assets that could make an independent run viable.

• Generational appeal: At 37, he represents a younger, reform-minded wave of politicians that many Gambians, particularly urban youth, find refreshing.

• Governance record: His tenure at KMC has raised his profile as a hands-on administrator with a focus on development and service delivery.

• Discontent within UDP: Calls for leadership renewal are growing louder, and Bensouda could position himself as the face of a modernised opposition, untainted by the internal wrangling of the old guard.

A Pivotal Decision

For now, Bensouda has denied reports that he is planning to leave the UDP or form a new party. Yet, the symbolism of his withdrawal and the promotional materials now in circulation suggest that he is keeping his options open.

The decision he makes in the coming months could reshape Gambia’s opposition politics. If he stays within the UDP, he may have to wait for Darboe to eventually step aside. If he goes solo, he risks splitting the party but could also redefine the political landscape by rallying a new coalition of voters hungry for change.

Either way, the slogan is clear: “Your Voice, The Future, Your Choice.” For Talib Bensouda, the choice of whether to remain in the fold or chart his own course may well determine his political future and possibly the future of the Gambian presidency in 2026.