Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – A coalition of “Gambian Islamic scholars,” operating under the banner of Ansar, has formally endorsed the United Democratic Party (UDP) ahead of the 2026 presidential election, citing the party’s record of resilience, integrity, and commitment to national renewal.
In a statement shared with The Standard, the group—now known as the Ansar UDP Group—praised the UDP’s “unwavering commitment to justice” and its “firm determination to safeguard the country’s interests and its people.”
The scholars said their endorsement reflects the moral responsibility religious leaders carry in guiding a society that is “overwhelmingly religious” and naturally seeks faith-based perspectives on social, political, and economic issues.
They argued that Muslim and Christian scholars are uniquely positioned to offer such guidance.
Recalling the party’s two-decade struggle against authoritarianism, the coalition highlighted the “immense trials and injustices” the UDP and its supporters endured under dictatorship.
“Many of its leaders and supporters faced intimidation, incarceration, and various forms of physical and psychological abuse,” the statement noted. “Despite these ordeals, the party’s leadership and grassroots members remained firm, united and resilient.”
The scholars also pointed to the performance of UDP members who previously served in President Adama Barrow’s government, saying they demonstrated “professionalism, integrity, and commitment to national service,” with the president himself acknowledging their competence before political relations deteriorated.
According to Ansar, these experiences show that the UDP leadership possesses “the vision, expertise, and moral uprightness required to steer our beloved nation, especially after years of mismanagement and rampant corruption.”
The coalition issued a stark warning about the current state of governance, citing recent Auditor General reports revealing the loss of hundreds of millions of dalasi from the national treasury. They described the findings as “shocking revelations” that demand urgent and decisive action.
“The task of rescuing our nation from the clutches of corruption is not merely a political responsibility; it is a moral obligation owed to future generations,” the group stated, lamenting persistent poverty, decaying public services, and deteriorating institutions.
Ansar urged Arabic scholars across the country, regardless of institution or affiliation, to rally behind the UDP as part of a collective effort to reverse what they described as The Gambia’s “steady decline in good governance and the rule of law.”
“With sincerity, unity, and purpose, we can together redirect the course of our nation and secure a brighter future for generations to come,” the statement read.
The Ansar UDP Group is composed of Arabic scholars educated in Arabic schools and traditional majalis. Founded in the second half of 2020, the group is led by Ebrima Saho, with Ousman Camara as deputy and Imam Kanyi serving as spokesman.
