GAMBIA · ELECTIONS
Key Facts
- —What is happening Gambia’s opposition alliance Coalition 2026 unveiled its manifesto on Thursday, 22 October, with 3 pillars, 13 policy areas and 66 priority actions to finish by 2031.
- —Why it matters Gambians choose a president on Saturday 5 December. Coalition 2026 is one of three new alliances, and President Adama Barrow has said he will seek a third term.
- —The numbers The plan has 66 actions, set to be completed by 2031 when the Gambia marks its 66th anniversary of independence; timelines run from six months to five years.
- —Who is who Talib Ahmed Bensouda, mayor of Kanifing and founder of UNITE, is the coalition’s candidate; Barrow leads the governing National People’s Party and Ousainou Darboe leads the rival United Democratic Party.
- —What to watch The election commission’s chairman says candidate nominations run from 3 to 14 November, though its website lists 30 October. Voting is on 5 December.
- —What it means for you The Gambia has a new US ambassador, Laurence Socha, who arrived on 6 October. The plan touches youth jobs and regional security but names no US policy.
Gambia’s opposition Coalition 2026 unveiled a plan of 3 pillars, 13 policy areas and 66 actions on Thursday, 22 October. The Gambia elects a president on Saturday 5 December.
Gambia’s opposition alliance Coalition 2026 unveiled a 66-point manifesto at the Atlantic Hotel in Banjul on Thursday, 22 October. The Point and Foroyaa say the plan has 3 pillars, 13 policy areas and 66 priority actions.
Its candidate, Talib Ahmed Bensouda, says every action will be finished by 2031, when the Gambia turns 66. The country votes for a president on Saturday 5 December.
What the Gambia Opposition Promised
The three pillars are governance and trust, human development, and economic integrity, according to The Point and Foroyaa. Foroyaa says the document is titled “66 Priority Actions of Talib Ahmed Bensouda”.
Bensouda said the coalition drafted 65 actions, then added a 66th placing Islamic Studies graduates in embassies in Islamic countries. He told the launch, “By 2031, Gambia 66, we would have completed the 66 actions that will transform this nation.”
On living costs, Foroyaa lists an emergency programme with a task force and monthly tracking of a basket of household goods. It also lists a sector-based minimum wage, starting with government workers, within 12 months.
A National Development Bank would back manufacturing, fisheries and farm processing within three years, Foroyaa says. The Point also reports a pledge to raise health spending to 15% of the national budget.
Governance, Justice and Security Pledges
Foroyaa reports a promise to repeal the Public Order Act, a law that governs protests, within 12 months. It also lists asset declarations for office holders within six months, with penalties for those who fail to file.
The coalition promises full financial autonomy for the Anti-Corruption Commission and two other watchdog bodies within two years. It also promises an Attorney General separate from the Ministry of Justice within two years.
On the constitution, The Point reports a review and referendum within two years. Foroyaa says legislation would come within six months and the referendum would decide a two-term limit for presidents.
Foroyaa also reports that the death penalty would apply only after every appeal is exhausted. It lists an end to reliance on ECOMIG, the West African regional force in the country, within two years.
In Plain English
- Coalition 2026 is an alliance of Gambian opposition groups that picked Bensouda as its candidate and signed an alliance agreement before the launch.
- Talib Ahmed Bensouda is mayor of Kanifing Municipality, founder and leader of UNITE, and the coalition’s candidate for president.
- APP-Sobeyaa faction is a wing of an existing Gambian party that The Point and Gambiana say joined the coalition at the launch.
- Adama Barrow is the president and leader of the National People’s Party (NPP), and has said he will seek a third term.
- Ousainou Darboe leads the United Democratic Party (UDP), which heads the rival UDP-led Gambia First Coalition.
- Team Gambia Grand Coalition 2026 is a third alliance, formed at a September conference, with Halifa Sallah and Sidia Jatta as coordinators of its consultations.
- Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is the independent body that runs Gambian elections and sets their calendar.
When and How the Gambia Votes
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the independent body that runs Gambian elections, lists Presidential Election Day as 5 December. Its website countdown shows 5 December 2026.
Foroyaa quotes IEC chairman Joseph Colley saying nominations run from 3 to 14 November 2026. Gambiana says the IEC will publish the submission timetable next week, with 10 days to file papers and two to fix gaps.
The IEC says 27 political parties are registered in the Gambia. Coalition 2026 is one of three new alliances, alongside the Gambia First Coalition and Team Gambia Grand Coalition 2026.
What It Means for US Readers
The plan lands soon after career diplomat Laurence Socha arrived in Banjul on 6 October as the new US ambassador, Gambiana reported. Gambiana says US-Gambian ties centre on democratic governance, economic development and regional security.
Two pledges may interest US readers: ending reliance on ECOMIG, and tackling youth unemployment. The reports name no US policy and no US company.
Foroyaa notes no overall cost or funding source is given for the five economic proposals. No US$ figure can be given, and this report is not investment advice.
What Is Not Known
Foroyaa says the manifesto gives no overall cost or funding source for its five economic proposals. It adds that the commitments depend on winning power, finding resources and changing laws.
The three outlets differ on details, so this report gives each claim with its source. The Point says a constitutional referendum within two years, while Foroyaa says legislation within six months.
The Point names the pillars and the 15% health pledge, but Foroyaa’s list of actions does not mention health spending. The Point counts 13 policies and Foroyaa 13 policy areas, and the full list was not opened.
Outlets spell the leader of the APP Sobeyaa faction differently, so this report leaves out his name. The Point reports a signed coalition agreement, while Gambiana says the faction joined after agreeing in principle.
No reply from President Barrow’s National People’s Party or the United Democratic Party was found. The IEC chairman gave 3 to 14 November for nominations, but the IEC website event page lists 30 October to 5 November.
The IEC website also lists scrutiny on 6 November, but that falls inside the chairman’s nomination window. This report leaves out the scrutiny, campaign and withdrawal dates.
What Comes Next
Candidate nominations come first, in November according to the IEC chairman, and the IEC says it will publish a timetable. Voters then choose a president on Saturday 5 December.
Watch whether the other two opposition camps answer with costed plans of their own. Watch also whether the coalition publishes the full list of 66 actions with timelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Coalition 2026 unveil?
It unveiled a manifesto with 3 pillars, 13 policy areas and 66 priority actions on Thursday, 22 October, in Banjul. Candidate Talib Bensouda says all 66 will be finished by 2031.
Who is Talib Bensouda?
He is the mayor of Kanifing Municipality and founder of UNITE. He is Coalition 2026’s candidate for the 5 December presidential election.
When is the Gambia election?
Gambians vote for a president on Saturday 5 December 2026, according to the Independent Electoral Commission. The commission’s chairman says nominations run from 3 to 14 November.
Why 66 actions?
The coalition first drafted 65 actions and added one on Islamic Studies appointments to embassies. Bensouda ties the number to 2031, when the Gambia turns 66 years old.
Is the plan costed?
Foroyaa says no overall cost or funding source was given for its five economic proposals. A cost for all 66 actions was not found.
Sources: The Point, 23 October 2026; Foroyaa, 23 October 2026; Gambiana, 22 October 2026; Gambiana on the APP Sobeyaa faction, 22 October 2026; Independent Electoral Commission of the Gambia; allAfrica on the Gambian alliances, 31 August 2026; Foroyaa on the nomination dates, 23 October 2026; IEC event page; Gambiana on the US ambassador, 6 October 2026; Gambiana on Barrow, 31 January 2025; Foroyaa on the Gambia Participates poll, 24 August 2026; Foroyaa on Team Gambia (all accessed 24 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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