GAMBIA · ELECTIONS
Key Facts
- —What is happening Opposition candidate Talib Bensouda says police told his movement that no party rallies or similar events may be held in Banjul, Kanifing and the West Coast Region during President Adama Barrow’s tour, with accounts published on 14 and 15 October.
- —Why it matters The claims come seven weeks before the presidential election on Saturday, 5 December, and raise the question of whether opposition parties and the president’s tour are treated equally before voters choose.
- —The numbers The presidential vote is on Saturday, 5 December, seven weeks away, nominations are listed for Friday, 30 October, and the official campaign period is listed to open on Monday, 9 November.
- —Who is who Talib Bensouda leads the UNITE movement and is the candidate of Coalition 2026, the National Democratic Party is a second opposition party, and Barrow leads the governing National People’s Party.
- —What to watch Whether police or the government publish the legal basis for any rally limits, and what rules apply when the official campaign period opens on Monday, 9 November.
- —What it means for you US observers and travellers should note a pre-election dispute over political space in West Africa as a new US ambassador arrives, and follow State Department advice to avoid areas around demonstrations.
Gambia opposition candidate Talib Bensouda says police told his movement not to hold rallies in Greater Banjul while the president tours. No police explanation has been found, seven weeks before the presidential election on Saturday, 5 December.
Gambia opposition candidate Talib Bensouda says police told his movement no party may rally in Banjul, Kanifing or the West Coast. Two Gambian news outlets published his account on Wednesday, 14 October and Thursday, 15 October.
The dispute matters because The Gambia, a small West African country that just received a new US ambassador, votes in seven weeks. Bensouda says the limits could affect parties’ ability to reach voters and compete equally.
What the Gambia Opposition Says
Talib Bensouda, mayor of the Kanifing Municipality, leads the UNITE movement and is the presidential candidate of Coalition 2026. He said police told his movement that no party may rally in Banjul, Kanifing or the West Coast Region during the tour.
The Gambia Journal and Gambiana, both Gambian news outlets, carry his account of the police instruction. Neither quotes a police source.
“Any restriction must have a lawful basis, be necessary and proportionate, and be applied fairly,” Bensouda said, according to Gambiana. He asked the authorities to clarify the legal basis for the decision.
Bensouda accepts the tour has a constitutional basis but says this does not automatically justify limits on peaceful assembly. Section 25 of the Gambian Constitution protects peaceful assembly, subject to reasonable restrictions set by law, including public order.
The National Democratic Party (NDP), an opposition party, says police refused permission for a regional tour planned for Thursday, 15 October. Only The Gambia Journal reports this, and it says the party asked whether the president’s schedule was the reason.
The United Democratic Party (UDP), led by Ousainou Darboe, has criticised the tour itself rather than a police order. UDP official Lamin Manneh called it “an illegal campaign paid for by our tax dollars” in a radio interview.
Kerr Fatou, a Gambian news site, published that interview. No government reply to that criticism has been found, and Barrow leads the governing National People’s Party (NPP).
What Is Known About the Tour and the Timetable
Barrow’s “Meet the People” tour began in early October and has now reached the West Coast Region. Gambiana’s headline on Thursday, 15 October says he opened a water tank and 24 classrooms in the West Coast Region.
Critics in the UDP say the tour doubles as campaigning for the governing party. Barrow is seeking another term in the December vote.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) lists presidential nominations on Friday, 30 October and candidate scrutiny on Friday, 6 November. The commission, which runs the election, lists the start of the campaign period as Monday, 9 November.
The tour and the parties’ rallies therefore both fall before the official campaign period begins. The commission’s homepage does not set out any rules on rallies, so the legal basis for any police instruction remains unclear.
Why the Rally Dispute Matters Beyond Banjul
The Gambia ended 22 years of rule by Yahya Jammeh in January 2017, after the opposition united behind Barrow. Barrow won a second term in December 2021 and has led the country since 2017.
The opposition frames the issue as equal treatment: the president may travel under the constitution, but parties also hold rights. No police or government position appears in the reports.
What It Means for US Readers
For US readers, the stakes are stability and election process rather than markets or trade figures. The Point reported on Thursday, 15 October that US Ambassador Socha presented credentials to Barrow, so Washington’s new envoy arrives mid-dispute.
Irregular migration, known in The Gambia as the “backway”, is also an election issue. Bensouda criticised the government’s handling of it at a rally in Jookul, according to Gambiana’s report of Wednesday, 14 October.
For US travellers, the reported limits concern political rallies, not tourism. The State Department advisory, last updated in January 2026, is Level 2, “Exercise increased caution”, and says to avoid areas around demonstrations.
What Is Not Known
No police statement has been found explaining the instruction, its legal basis or whether it was issued in writing. The parties’ accounts therefore remain claims until the police or the government respond.
The NDP’s refused permit is reported by only one outlet, and it is not known whether its Thursday event went ahead. The tour’s scheduled end date also comes from a single outlet, so it is not relied on here.
It is not known whether other opposition groups, including the UDP, received the same instruction. The reports name only Bensouda’s movement and the NDP.
What Comes Next
The next listed dates are nominations on Friday, 30 October and the start of the campaign period on Monday, 9 November. Voters choose a president on Saturday, 5 December.
The claims cover only Banjul, Kanifing and the West Coast Region, and they do not change the election date. They do show a dispute over political space emerging before the official campaign begins.
Connected Coverage
For background on the electoral dispute, read Gambia Opposition to Sue Poll Body 8 Weeks Before Vote. Also read Gambia Gets US Ambassador, 7 Weeks to Vote and Gambia Explained 2026, the River Republic in Senegal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Gambia opposition say about the rallies?
Talib Bensouda says police told his movement no party may rally in Banjul, Kanifing or the West Coast during Barrow’s tour. No police explanation has been found.
Who is Talib Bensouda?
Bensouda is mayor of the Kanifing Municipality, leads the UNITE movement and is the presidential candidate of Coalition 2026. He has raised constitutional concerns about the restriction.
When is the Gambian presidential election?
The presidential election is on Saturday, 5 December 2026. The electoral commission lists the official campaign period as starting on Monday, 9 November.
Have the police responded to the claims?
No police statement explaining the instruction or its legal basis has been found. Until one is published, the parties’ accounts remain claims.
Does this affect US travellers to The Gambia?
The reported limits cover political rallies, not travel or tourism. The State Department’s Level 2 advisory, last updated in January 2026, says to avoid areas around demonstrations.
Sources: Independent Electoral Commission of The Gambia, election timetable; The Gambia Journal; Gambiana; Gambiana, Bensouda rally; Kerr Fatou; The Point, headlines of 15 October; US State Department, The Gambia travel advisory; Constitution of The Gambia, Section 25 (all accessed 15 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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