The United Democratic Party (UDP), The Gambia’s largest opposition party, is facing a deepening internal crisis after Yankuba Darboe, a senior party figure and chairman of the Brikama Area Council, threatened to leave if Talib Bensouda succeeds party leader Ousainou Darboe. In an explosive interview with veteran journalist Pa Modou Bojang, Yankuba’s remarks have exposed stark divisions within the UDP as the 2026 presidential election approaches, threatening the party’s unity and its prospects against President Adama Barrow’s administration.
Yankuba Darboe, a UK-trained lawyer and prominent UDP activist, did not mince words. “If Talib becomes leader, I’m out,” he told Bojang. “The UDP must stay true to its principles, not hand the reins to someone who lacks the grassroots connection Ousainou embodies.” His comments target Talib Bensouda, the youthful mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council, who has emerged as a possible frontrunner to replace Ousainou Darboe, the 73-year-old party leader revered as “The Gambia’s Mandela” for his decades-long struggle against authoritarian rule.
The UDP, founded in 1996, has been a pillar of Gambian opposition politics, particularly during Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year dictatorship. Ousainou Darboe, a human rights lawyer, led the party through brutal crackdowns, including his 2016 imprisonment following the killing of UDP activist Solo Sandeng. Despite losing five presidential races, most recently in 2021, Darboe remains a towering figure.
Talib Bensouda, with his progressive image and urban appeal, has gained support among younger UDP members. Yet, he faces fierce resistance from party stalwarts who see him as an outsider lacking the struggle credentials of Ousainou Darboe’s generation. Yankuba Darboe’s interview amplifies this rift, accusing Bensouda of practicing “elite politics” disconnected from the UDP’s rural base. “The UDP is not a family business or a corporate boardroom,” he said, voicing fears that Bensouda’s leadership could mirror the very governance flaws the UDP criticizes in President Barrow’s administration. “Everything we challenge Barrow on is precisely what they are doing,” Yankuba added.
The interview has sent shockwaves through the party, with insiders calling for urgent reconciliation. Some have urged Ousainou Darboe to mediate, but his silence since the interview’s publication has fueled speculation about his position. Meanwhile, Talib Bensouda responded cryptically on social media, posting, “We are close to the limit! The end is near,” before deleting the message. He later issued a more measured statement: “The UDP belongs to all Gambians. Let’s focus on 2026, not personal grudges.” Bensouda’s supporters argue his mayoral track record proves his leadership mettle, but critics like Yankuba Darboe warn the party risks losing its soul.
This crisis highlights broader challenges in Gambian politics, where personality-driven parties often falter during leadership transitions. The UDP’s internal strife comes at a critical juncture as The Gambia continues to recover from decades of autocracy under Jammeh. With the 2026 election looming, the party’s ability to unify could determine its chances of unseating Barrow’s National People’s Party.
Yankuba Darboe’s threat to exit underscores the high stakes of the UDP’s succession battle. As the party grapples with its future, the rift between its old guard and emerging leaders, such as Bensouda, could reshape The Gambia’s opposition landscape. For now, the UDP remains at a crossroads, with its unity—and electoral prospects—hanging in the balance.
