Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The United Democratic Party (UDP) is racing to restore unity and organizational stability after the dramatic fallout with Kanifing Mayor Talib Bensouda, whose exit has triggered a wave of resignations from the party’s ranks.
Bensouda’s newly formed Unite Movement for Change has already drawn several UDP councillors and grassroots leaders, shaking the country’s largest opposition party at a crucial moment almost a year before the 2026 presidential election.
In response, the UDP leadership has rolled out a multi-pronged damage control strategy aimed at shoring up loyalty, filling vacancies, and re-energizing its diaspora support base.
The first line of defense came from the Brikama Area Council, where Chairman Yankuba Darboe rallied all UDP councillors under his authority to publicly reaffirm their allegiance to the party and its leader, Ousainou Darboe.
Similar declarations of loyalty have since been echoed by UDP-controlled area councils across the country in a coordinated effort to project stability and counter the perception of an unraveling movement.
At the same time, the UDP is working to quickly plug the holes left at the top. Seven senior members of the National Executive Committee resigned to join Bensouda, leaving key positions vacant, including National Organizing Secretary, Campaign Manager, and media chief.
To address this, the party has convened an Emergency Central Committee Meeting for October 19, where new office holders will be elected.
At the grassroots level, the UDP National Secretariat has directed regional, constituency, ward, and village committees affected by the resignations to hold extraordinary congresses before October 16 to elect replacements.
The process is being tightly supervised to ensure transparency and adherence to the party’s constitution, with every committee required to submit reports to the National Secretariat.
Meanwhile, party leader Ousainou Darboe has been on a European tour to reconnect with the UDP’s diaspora networks, particularly in Europe (and later in the United States), which remain critical sources of financial and moral support ahead of the 2026 presidential race.
UDP officials say his engagements abroad have been key to boosting morale, and preparations are underway in The Gambia to stage a rousing welcome upon his return this month.
Many people in The Gambia say the breakaway by Bensouda, once seen as a rising star within the UDP, has now forced the party to show its organizational muscle in order to prevent further defections and reassure its supporters.
By moving quickly to reaffirm loyalty, fill leadership gaps, and rally its overseas supporters, the UDP hopes to demonstrate resilience and readiness as it pivots towards the 2026 presidential contest.
