In a blistering attack that has sent shockwaves through Gambian political circles, Haggie Suwaneh, the National Youth President of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has lambasted Kanifing Municipal Council Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda for what he calls “a high level of dishonesty and immorality” exhibited during a recent interview on Kerr Fatou.
Sawaneh’s full statement, released on Thursday, pulls no punches, accusing the mayor of deliberately attempting to discredit UDP leader Hon. Ousainu Darboe and erode the party’s grassroots support through a web of inconsistent and ethically questionable claims. The youth leader framed his rebuke as a broader plea for integrity in Gambian politics, questioning why leaders stoop to “immorality just to justify their indefensible actions.”
At the heart of Suwaneh’s criticism is Bensouda’s claim that he inquired whether Darboe had submitted his application for the UDP flagbearer position and was led to believe the veteran politician had not applied. Sawaneh labeled this as a “moral deficiency” and a disrespectful ploy to undermine Darboe, especially given the party’s national executive resolution mandating that all applications be submitted independently to the selection committee for privacy protection.
“Why would Mayor Talib ask another potential applicant to reveal their application status,” Sawaneh wrote, “especially when that applicant had publicly made their intentions known, precisely on Coffee Time with Peter Gomez?” He referenced Darboe’s on-air statement: “Yes, I will submit my application. I was mourning the demise of my friend Ahmad Bensouda, who is Talib’s biological father.” This, Sawaneh argued, was public knowledge that Bensouda should have respected rather than doubted.
The youth president further dismantled Bensouda’s assertion that the UDP single-handedly selected him as their 2023 mayoral candidate. Suwaneh pointed out that the mayor’s victory relied on a coalition with other parties, contradicting his narrative and disrespecting the UDP base that propelled him to his first term. He highlighted that councilor elections preceded the mayoral vote and were won by UDP without coalitions, securing a majority of seats. National Assembly elections, also won by the UDP, occurred before the local government polls and without Bensouda’s involvement—he had “disappeared” after the 2021 presidential elections, Sawaneh claimed.
Adding to the inconsistencies, Bensouda stated he never submitted a resignation letter from UDP because he “never applied as one,” a remark Sawaneh said muddies his political allegiance and exposes a troubling pattern. “This pattern of inconsistent statements and lack of moral consideration in political discourse is troubling,” Sawaneh warned, urging followers to demand consistency from leaders to safeguard democracy.
The rebuke has sparked intense debate within UDP ranks, with youth wing members rallying behind Sawaneh’s demand for accountability. Supporters view it as a defense of party loyalty amid rumored internal rifts. Political analysts note the timing amplifies tensions ahead of national elections, potentially fracturing alliances.
Mayor Bensouda has not issued a public response to the allegations as of the time of this publication.
