For years, Mamma Kandeh was President Adama Barrow’s outspoken political opponent, rejecting his 2021 victory and publicly vowing never to join forces with the ruling administration. That all changed on July 29.
Following days of widespread rumours, Kandeh officially signed a landmark alliance with Barrow’s National People’s Party (NPP). The two former rivals appeared together before supporters after signing the agreement.
What was once an unthinkable political rivalry has transformed into a high-stakes partnership ahead of the December 2026 elections.
Kandeh frames the dramatic shift as a step toward “national reconciliation, stability, and unified development.”
But the move has sparked intense debate across The Gambia’s political landscape. Here is how the unexpected deal came together and what it means for 2026.
The evolution of a bitter rivalry
The two grew up as neighbours in the Jimara constituency of The Gambia’s Upper River Region, where their villages are located close to each other.
The political trajectory of President Adama Barrow and Mamma Kandeh spans nearly two decades and has been characterised by fierce electoral battles, deep-seated personal rivalry, and contrasting political ideologies.
The competitive relationship between the two leaders dates back to the 2007 National Assembly elections.
Competing in the Jimara constituency under the banner of the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), Mamma Kandeh defeated Adama Barrow, who was then contesting on the ticket of the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP).
That early legislative battle set the stage for long-standing political rivalry in the Upper River Region (URR).
The breakaway and the 2016 turnaround
After being expelled from the APRC in 2013, Kandeh founded the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) in 2016. Positioned as a social-democratic alternative, the GDC quickly gained significant traction in rural Gambia.
Kandeh contested the 2016 presidential election as the leader of the newly formed GDC, positioning the party as an alternative to both the governing APRC and the opposition coalition.
Rejection of the 2021 election and past critical rhetoric
According to the official results announced by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on December 4, 2021, President Barrow secured a second term with 53.2% of the votes cast, while Mamma Kandeh placed third with 12.3%.
Kandeh was part of a joint opposition statement issued by veteran opposition leader Ousainou Darboe and Essa Faal, a seasoned lawyer-turned-politician, which rejected the election results.
“At this point in time, we reject the results announced by the IEC. We reserve the right to embark on any lawful course of action the situation requires…representatives of the candidates at the IEC headquarters refused to endorse the results,” the joint opposition statement read on 5th December, 2021.
Key criticisms against the Barrow administration
Throughout President Barrow’s second term, Kandeh and the GDC maintained a highly critical stance toward the ruling establishment, focusing on key governance concerns.
Electoral integrity concerns: Kandeh consistently questioned the credibility of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), accusing the ruling party of using state resources to influence voters and failing to address inconsistencies in the voter roll.
Socio-economic grievances: At political rallies across the country, Kandeh repeatedly criticised the administration over rising inflation, sharp increases in food prices, allegations of public sector corruption, and slow progress on security sector reforms (SSR).
Firm rejection of coalition rumours: Whenever speculation arose regarding potential coalition talks between the GDC and the NPP, Kandeh publicly dismissed the reports, assuring his supporters that he would “never” align with President Barrow or betray their trust.
The dramatic U-turn: The July 2026 State House pact
On July 29, 2026, long-standing political friction gave way to a major political realignment.
Leaders of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) and the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) gathered at the State House in Banjul to sign an official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), bringing the two parties together ahead of the December 2026 presidential election.
Overview of the NPP – GDC Electoral Pact
| Parameter | Details of the MoU |
| Signing Date & Location | July 29, 2026 | State House, Banjul, The Gambia |
| Primary Goal | Form a unified political alliance and endorse President Adama Barrow as the candidate for the December 2026 Presidential Election |
| NPP Key Signatories | President Adama Barrow, Musa Drammeh (NPP National President) |
| GDC Key Signatories | Hon. Mamma Kandeh (GDC Party Leader), Momodou Pateh Bah (GDC National President) |
Statements from the signatories
Addressing members of the press and party supporters at the State House, GDC leader Mamma Kandeh defended the move, asserting that the decision was taken in “good faith” to foster national unity. Kandeh stressed that his past criticism was not driven by hatred but by a desire to promote accountability.
He emphasised that joining forces with the ruling party did not mean abandoning the GDC’s core values, but rather prioritising national stability over partisan interests.
On July 29, 2026, President Adama Barrow welcomed the GDC leadership into the ruling fold, characterising the agreement as a landmark development in Gambian political history.
“This alliance marks the beginning of a new dawn that will redraw the political map and usher in a new era of political stability and unified development in The Gambia,” President Barrow said.
Political analysis and implications for December 2026
The consolidation of the GDC and NPP has been viewed as a significant strategic advantage in the 2026 electoral landscape across three major dimensions:
Voter consolidation in rural strongholds
Kandeh maintains a loyal support base among sections of the Fula community and key voting blocs in the Upper River Region (URR), particularly around Jimara and Kantora.
Analysts say the alliance could strengthen President Barrow’s support in parts of the Upper River Region, where Kandeh has traditionally enjoyed significant backing.
Fragmentation of opposition alliances
The GDC’s alignment with the NPP removes one of the opposition’s prominent political forces from the anti-Barrow camp.
This leaves the United Democratic Party (UDP), led by Ousainou Darboe, facing a more challenging task in building a unified opposition front ahead of the election.
Supporter Backlash & Grassroots Friction
The sudden political shift has sparked mixed reactions among GDC loyalists.
While members of the executive committee endorsed the MoU, some grassroots supporters expressed dismay on social media and regional radio platforms, describing the move as a contradiction of years of anti-incumbent messaging.
Omar Ceesay, a former GDC National Assembly member for Niamina East, rejected the move, saying he would not join the alliance. “I can’t join the NPP,” he said, while hinting at a possible resignation.
Meanwhile, Kandeh’s quiet negotiations with the NPP before the official endorsement have also sparked controversy.
Conclusion
The official joining of Mamma Kandeh’s GDC with President Adama Barrow’s NPP represents one of the most significant realignments in modern Gambian politics.
Whether the alliance proves electorally successful remains to be seen. For President Barrow, it brings one of his most persistent rivals into his camp ahead of the December election. For Kandeh, it marks a dramatic political shift that could reshape both his party’s future and the broader opposition landscape.