APP-Sobeyaa has confirmed it is holding discussions with the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) on a possible political alliance ahead of The Gambia’s 2026 presidential election, validating reports published last week by Kerr Fatou and other outlets.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the party said Congress mandated its executive to explore alliances and coalition arrangements “in the national interest and in the interest of APP-Sobeyaa.” That mandate, it said, explains its engagement with several political formations, including the NPP.
Neither APP-Sobeyaa nor the NPP has confirmed or denied reports that the party, led by Essa Mbye Faal, is in talks with the ruling party about joining forces for the December election.
The acknowledgment is notable given Faal’s record of sharp criticism of President Adama Barrow. Faal challenged Barrow in the 2021 presidential election and has frequently attacked the government’s record on governance and other national issues.
APP-Sobeyaa stressed that talks with the NPP and other groups should not be read as a final decision to enter an alliance. The executive’s role, it said, is to listen, engage, assess proposals and report back. Any decision on the party’s position before the 2026 presidential election rests with Congress, not with any individual.
“The Party does not revolve around any individual,” the statement said. “As with any healthy democratic organization, differences of opinion may arise, but such differences should not be misconstrued as hostility or division.”
The party named National Spokesperson and Lead Negotiator Ousainou Bobb as the focal point for coalition discussions. Bobb is to engage on the party’s behalf, communicate its position where mandated, and report outcomes to the executive and ultimately to Congress.
APP-Sobeyaa urged the public, supporters and the media to distinguish between political engagement, internal democratic processes and final party decisions. It said it would not be “bullied or swayed by insults, intimidation or social media pressure” and would decide independently, guided by what it believes is best for The Gambia, the Gambian people and the party.
The party said it would publicly announce its final decisions “as soon as possible” after consultations with relevant structures and the executive. It asked interested parties for patience.
APP-Sobeyaa described itself as a legitimate Gambian political party with established structures nationwide that operates under the mandate of its Congress.
