By: Kebba Ansu Manneh
The United Democratic Party (UDP) West Coast Region (WCR) Councillors Caucus has unanimously endorsed Lawyer Ousainou ANM Darboe as the party’s flagbearer for the 2026 presidential election, signaling strong support for the veteran leader as the UDP prepares for a critical electoral showdown.
The endorsement, announced on September 7, 2025, comes amid the UDP’s ongoing flagbearer selection process, which initially saw eleven contenders vying for the position. Notably, Talib Ahmed Bensuda, the mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), withdrew his candidacy after confirming that Darboe, the UDP Party Leader and Secretary General, was also in the race. On Tuesday, September 9, the UDP selection committee revealed that Darboe, alongside Lawyer Borry Touray and former Finance Minister Amadou Sanneh, had advanced to the final list of candidates, with the selection set to conclude on September 10.
In a statement sent to the selection committee, the WCR Councillors Caucus expressed unwavering confidence in Darboe’s leadership, emphasizing the need for party unity and a strong challenge against incumbent President Adama Barrow in 2026. “We, the undersigned Councillors from the West Coast Region, unanimously endorse H.E. Lawyer Ousainou Darboe as the flagbearer for the United Democratic Party in the 2026 general elections,” the statement read. “Our endorsement is driven by our desire to maintain party unity and avoid fragmentation, as well as the confidence we bestow on him to defeat Adama Barrow come 2026.”
The caucus highlighted Darboe’s extensive leadership experience and vision as key factors in their decision, noting that his candidacy would strengthen the UDP’s grassroots base and allow the party to focus on restructuring and succession planning. “By endorsing H.E. Darboe, we aim to leverage his leadership experience and vision to propel the party forward,” the statement continued, underscoring the strategic importance of rallying behind a unifying figure.
Darboe’s candidacy has also received strong backing from the UDP Council of Elders, a respected body within the party, which has similarly endorsed his flagbearership to maintain unity and demonstrate loyalty to the party’s longstanding leader. The councillors’ statement further urged the selection committee to consider their unanimous support, expressing confidence that Darboe’s leadership would guide the UDP toward a brighter future for Gambia. “We are confident that his leadership will guide the party towards a brighter future for the new Gambia – our Homeland,” the statement concluded.
The WCR Councillors’ endorsement reflects a broader sentiment within the UDP to consolidate support around Darboe, a prominent figure in Gambian politics known for his decades-long advocacy for democracy and human rights. As the selection process nears its conclusion, all eyes are on the UDP’s final decision, which could set the tone for the party’s strategy in the 2026 elections.
With the UDP rallying behind Darboe, the party appears poised to present a united front in its bid to unseat President Barrow. The selection committee’s final announcement on September 10 will confirm whether Darboe will officially lead the UDP into the presidential race, potentially shaping the future of Gambia’s political landscape.
