Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Ebrima Dibba, the deputy national organizing secretary of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has appeared at the official launch of the Unite for Change movement spearheaded by Kanifing Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda, a development widely seen as confirmation of his political shift away from the UDP.
Although Mr. Dibba has not formally announced his resignation from the party, his public association with Mayor Bensouda—who broke ranks with the UDP to form his own movement—has cemented long-standing rumors of an internal split.
The development comes just weeks after UDP leader Ousainou Darboe sought to quash speculation over Dibba’s departure.
Speaking in mid-September, Darboe insisted, “Dibba has not resigned. He is still in the UDP party,” while urging militants to respect Dibba’s contributions. “Some may insult him, but they have not done anything close to what he has done for the UDP,” Darboe said.
Mr. Dibba has long defended his loyalty to Mayor Bensouda, once fiercely criticizing Banjul Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe in an audio recording for referencing Bensouda in what he described as “unacceptable” remarks.
In another leaked WhatsApp exchange earlier this year, Dibba openly challenged the UDP’s leadership strategy, warning against clinging to opposition politics at the expense of electoral viability.
“UDP, do you want to be in the opposition until the end of this world, or do you want a change of government so that livelihood can be easy for people?” he asked.
Pointing to Bensouda’s two consecutive victories as mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council, Dibba suggested that his record makes him the strongest potential presidential candidate. “The person that you made mayor two times, and the people like him—that is my opinion for us to make him our presidential candidate,” Dibba said.
The launch of Unite for Change also drew a surprising mix of political figures, including Dodou Jah, former deputy spokesperson of the APRC.
Jah, who resigned his executive role in the APRC but still claims membership in the party, was seated in the front row and addressed attendees. “I was invited to attend the launch of the movement, and that’s why I am here. I am still APRC; I have not left or resigned from the party,” Jah clarified.
The growing cracks within the UDP, marked by Dibba’s open embrace of Bensouda, signal deepening shifts in The Gambia’s political landscape ahead of the 2026 presidential elections.
