The Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) is expected to formally join the National People’s Party (NPP)-led political alliance on Wednesday, according to senior party sources familiar with the negotiations, as per Kerr Fatou’s report in a major realignment ahead of the December 5, 2026, presidential election.
Party Leader and Secretary General Mama Kandeh is scheduled to meet President Adama Barrow to sign a memorandum of understanding formalizing the partnership between the opposition GDC and the ruling party.
Sources said the decision followed extensive internal consultations and vigorous debate among the leadership, with sharp divisions over whether the GDC should align with the governing coalition. The move ultimately won approval but lacked unanimous support.
Four senior GDC officials, including former National Assembly Member Hon. Omar Ceesay and Administrative Secretary I Ebrima Nyang, walked out of a recent executive meeting in protest. They objected strongly to the planned alliance, condemning it as a betrayal of the party’s opposition stance. The officials have threatened to leave the GDC entirely should the deal with Barrow’s NPP be formalized, sources close to the deliberations revealed.
Neither the GDC nor the NPP had publicly announced the agreement at the time of writing, and the specific terms of the memorandum remained unavailable. The anticipated partnership ranks among the most consequential political shifts before the presidential vote, potentially reshaping the opposition landscape and consolidating support behind the incumbent.
Party insiders described the internal discussions as lengthy and contentious, reflecting deeper strategic rifts over the GDC’s future direction. While supporters of the alliance argue it strengthens the party’s influence, critics within the ranks warn it risks alienating the base and undermining the GDC’s independent identity.
The development comes as political parties intensify positioning for the 2026 election, with alliances expected to play a decisive role in the contest.
