Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – United Democratic Party (UDP) flagbearer for the 2026 presidential election, Lawyer Ousainu Darboe, has described the signing of the Gambia First Alliance Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as a historic step towards building a united opposition and offering Gambians what he called a credible alternative government.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Darboe said the alliance was the result of sincere engagements between the UDP and its partners, grounded in trust, confidence, and shared values.
“Today is a great day for our country,” Darboe said. “It is the beginning of a genuine partnership that is built on trust, confidence, and shared values.”
He said political differences should not stand in the way of unity when parties share a common commitment to addressing the concerns and priorities of Gambians.
“Our political groupings are different in more than one way, but we all share the common denominator of wanting a government that is focused on the priorities of the Gambian people,” he said.
A Response to Doubts Over Opposition Unity
Darboe acknowledged the skepticism surrounding previous attempts to unite opposition parties but maintained that alliances built on sincerity, honesty, and transparency could endure and achieve their objectives.
“To those who have come to doubt even the possibility of unity among the ranks of the opposition, I say coalitions and alliances pursued with sincerity, honesty, and transparency are the right way to do it,” he said.
The UDP leader also sought to emphasize that, although his name will appear on the presidential ballot, the campaign and political responsibility would belong to all members of the alliance.
“The candidate’s name is Ousainu Darboe, and the face on the ballot box will be Ousainu Darboe, but each and every one of you, my trusted allies, is the candidate,” he said. “I am you and you are me.”
Invitation to Other Opposition Parties
Darboe extended an invitation to opposition parties that have not yet joined the alliance, urging them to come together around what he described as a mutually agreed five-year reform agenda.
He also called on alliance members to take their campaign directly to communities, including homes, bantabas, farms, and markets.
At the same time, he urged UDP supporters to welcome their new alliance partners with respect and solidarity.
“A new government for The Gambia in December 2026 is what our citizens deserve,” Darboe said. “Let us all work towards that.”
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