By Yankuba Manneh
The Gambia is set to hold a Presidential election in December. Public discontent over President Barrow’s rule since 2017 continues to dominate public discourse on a quotidian basis. Most Gambians think the regime is inept, corrupt, and does not have the nerve to uplift citizens from penury, joblessness, starvation, and indignity. Critics of the government believe that there is a conspicuous disconnect between the wants of the Barrow government and the needs of the starving public. For years, this situation has been lingering, and no solution has been found. It seems the public has reached the limit of its patience and is calling for unification among opposition parties to depose Barrow and end the NPP’s regime, heralding a new dawn in which the dignity and decency of all Gambians will be prioritized and championed.
The formation of an opposition coalition is not anything new in Gambia’s polity. Coalitions were formed in the recent and distant past, but all failed against Jammeh except the 2016 one. The most famous one was the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NAAD) formed in January 2005 and contested in 2006 presidential polls. Major parties in NAAD included the United Democratic Party (UDP), the National Reconciliation Party (NRP), and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). The nature of how these coalitions were formed matters for understanding why they couldn’t achieve their intended outcomes. But the 2016 coalition that ousted APRC’s Yahya Jammeh was a resounding success. Why? Well, two key things could be attributed to it: the loss of public trust in Jammeh, and the fact that all opposition parties, except Mama Kandeh’s GDC, banded together to form a unified, formidable force. Gambians’ situation under Jammeh was not much different from Barrow’s. The latter’s only edge is in his human rights records. Even that is contentious, depending on who you talk with. In fact, a situational analysis shows that Gambians have suffered under both regimes, though differently – under Jammeh’s terror and persecution and Barrow’s hunger and indignity.
The continued clarion national call for a unified, formidable opposition coalition in this year’s election causes tremors in President Barrow’s heart. This is not because he came to power with a coalition, but he knows and understands the might of a people-powered coalition against the incumbent. If the ongoing coalition talks are sustained and come to fruition, it will bring the NPP government to its definite end. Yes, because Barrow’s defeat marks the demise of the NPP in Gambian politics. Despite its standing and structures across the country, the party will suffer the same fate as Jammeh’s APRC, or even worse. Therefore, the opposition coalescing into one big political force against Barrow should be seen as a sacred duty to the country and its people.
In the heart of the delicate negotiations among opposition parties, currently seven parties as we know, the question of leadership is both symbolic and strategic. Coalitions succeed or fail on trust, clarity of purpose, and credible and sound leadership. In this moment and circumstance, UDP’s Ousainou ANM Darboe, love him or not, could be considered as the coalition candidate for the December election. This calculated opinion favoring the UDP leader is based on the reasons explained below.
On 23 December 2025, the UDP leader, Ousainou Darboe, was quoted in The Standard Newspaper, declaring his commitment to a single-term presidency. This is a rare and powerful political pledge ever heard of in Gambian politics. This commitment cannot be equated with the 2016 coalition promise. Barrow and Darboe are like apples and oranges. Throughout his political life, Darboe’s record is straight; he is principled, content, intellectually sharp and focused, and, above all, demonstrates a corruption-free attitude within a short span of time in government. These are high-valued qualities preserved by a few, especially in a region and era where leaders grip power and entrench themselves. Darboe’s one-term promise should set the tone for the ongoing coalition politics aimed at addressing leadership ineptitude. Although he made the declaration as leader of the UDP, it is a rallying point for a coalition that would come up with a clear and workable raft of agreements on how the country should be governed over the next five years, what framework will guide the 2027 parliamentary and local government elections, and the 20231 presidential elections. Darboe’s one-term commitment signals true statesmanship over self-interest, making him a unifying figure and a winning opposition coalition candidate.
Also, Darboe’s party among the opposition commands the majority in the country. It accounts for about 28% of the country’s voting population, according to the 2021 electoral results. In the same year, GDC had a little over 12%, making it the second-largest opposition party. Numbers really matter in politics, a reality that cannot be ignored if opposition unification is to be achieved. Leadership imposed against the numerical and political balance of any coalition risks resentment, objection, and fragmentation. Meanwhile, selecting a leader who reflects the opposition majority affirms democratic legitimacy within the alliance itself. This legitimacy is important when confronting an entrenched ruling party and when persuading the public that the coalition represents real change, not a rearrangement of elites or desperate political leaders.
Finally, among all registered party leaders, the UDP leader’s experience in governance gives him an edge over other contenders. Experience backed by expertise is a treasure in leadership. Having served as both Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperations, and Gambians Abroad, and Vice President, Darboe brings firsthand knowledge of statecraft, diplomacy, and executive decision-making. Why is this important? A Coalition leader must not only inspire but also govern, navigating the complexities of international relations in a troubled geopolitical world, managing bureaucracies, and proactively responding to crises from the outset. Darboe’s years of experience in government at the highest level make him the best candidate for a coalition government, because he has a better understanding of how the state’s machinery operates and, more than likely, can quickly transition the coalition from opposition to a people-centered administration with credibility and public confidence.
In conclusion, at the moment, there are 22 registered political parties on the Independent Electoral Commission register, and six new applications are currently under review, including the UNITE Movement for Change, led by KMC Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda. The Gambia will have 30 or more political parties in this year’s election, a record high never seen in the country’s political history. Already, the ruling NPP is in alliance with more than five other parties, and more are likely to join Barrow’s camp before the December polls. So, the remaining opposition parties must coalesce for an inevitable win. With that said, the opposition needs more than a consensus; it needs a leader who can unify, reassure, and deliver. Darboe’s one-term promise, majority backing, and proven governance experience make him the prudent and principled choice to lead any coalition to victory.
