Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – UNITE spokesperson Kemo Bojang has accused APP-Sobeyaa leader Essa Faal of withdrawing from the Coalition 2026 process because he feared losing the presidential flag-bearer contest.
Speaking on Coffee Time, Bojang said Faal’s withdrawal came on the final day of the selection process and was motivated by the expectation of defeat rather than principle.
“He walked out on the final day because he felt he was going to lose a contest,” Bojang said.
Bojang contrasted Faal’s decision with earlier withdrawals from the coalition process, arguing that those departures were based on clearly stated principles.
He also rejected allegations that UNITE undermined the Coalition 2026 process, saying the party participated fully in the negotiations and actively canvassed support for its candidate, Talib Ahmed Bensouda.
According to Bojang, the Coalition Mediation Committee investigated concerns raised against UNITE but found no wrongdoing by the party.
Candidate Bensouda Now Thriving
Bojang said Coalition 2026 has now completed its presidential candidate selection process, with Bensouda emerging as the coalition’s flag bearer.
Despite his criticism of Faal, Bojang said the coalition remains open to him and other opposition actors who may wish to rejoin the process.
“Coalition 2026 is not our project. It’s a national project, and everybody is welcome to join the process,” he said.
Faal’s withdrawal has added to growing tensions within the opposition as political parties and groupings reposition themselves ahead of the December 2026 presidential election.
The developments also highlight the continuing difficulty of maintaining a unified opposition front as rival political formations seek to agree on a single candidate to challenge President Adama Barrow.
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